He Porsche 718, as the Boxster and Cayman are known today, is about to migrate fully into the electric world. But as with so many renowned manufacturers, this farewell can’t be just anything, considering that the The Boxster has been a sports driving standard for Porsche for thirty years.
So to begin to say goodbye to this icon, is that Porsche introduces the 718 Spyder RSwhich is technically the roofless version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.
Of course this means that behind the seats is the terrific aspirated 4-liter boxer-six engine with 493 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque from the 911 GT3 Cup. Imagine what it must be like to push that engine to 9,000 rpm, without any overhead acoustic restrictions. This engine is combined with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK gearbox, with very short ratios, enough to reach 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 308 km/h.
In addition, we must consider its weight of 1,410 kilos, 40 kilos less than a 718 regular Spyder and 5 kilos lighter than the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. This is not only thanks to the fact that it does not have a roof (that is, it is a manual Bimini-style awning, which you can take in your car or leave it at home), but also thanks to the lightweight parts, such as the hood made of reinforced polymer with carbon fiber (CFRP) or 20″ aluminum wheels.
On the aerodynamic side, we found ourselves with the same tricks as its roofed counterpart. This includes side deflectors, NACA ducts in the hood and a front bumper with more generous air intakes.. The front lip is shorter than on the Cayman and the fixed wing with gooseneck arms was replaced by a “ducktail” type spoiler.
The chassis, as it is a car without a roof, has slight modifications with respect to the cayman, with slightly less stiff springs and dampers. We already know the rest, including the active suspension (PASM) with sport mode that lowers the height by 30 mm, the Porsche Torque Vectoring system with mechanical LSD differential, camber adjustment and stabilizer bar, as well as ball joint bearings.
Inside, everything has a very purist and pista atmosphere. For example, the RS steering wheel wrapped in Race-Tex with a yellow Rally stripe or the CFRP seats upholstered in Race-Tex leather.
Finally, and because we know that many will configure it like this, there is the famous Weissach Package that includes:
- forged magnesium wheels
- titanium exhausts
- Dashboard upholstered in Race-Tex
- An exclusive Porsche Design Timepieces watch with a titanium case, carbon dial and strap to match the interior of the car.
“The 718 Spyder RS takes convertible driving pleasure to a new level”, said Andreas Preuninger, Head of GT Vehicles. “The combination of our unmistakable GT3 engine, short gear ratio, compact dimensions, low weight, road-optimized race car suspension and the ability to drive completely open-air offers an exhilarating, unfiltered experience for the steering wheel”.
Its price in the United States will be USD $160,700.
