Porsche 718 Spyder RS: a sports car that offers what an electric car never will

It’s not a question of power, but of sensations. And the ones offered by the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS are absolutely unattainable for any electric car, present or future, that we can currently imagine, no matter how much battery weight is reduced in the future, and even if powerful synthesizers are used to simulate the sound of a naturally aspirated engine like that of the Porsche 911 GT3 revving at high rpm.

Yes, you read that right. Porsche has had the bright idea of fitting the GT3’s engine in a 718 Spyder, to create the convertible version of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. It is, therefore, the first time this engine, which let’s remember is the one used in the 911 GT3 Cup racing car, is offered in a mid-engined sports car… and without a roof. I needn’t tell you that its sound is pure heavenly music.

A power output of 500 CV for 1,410 kg of weight

With 500 CV and a maximum torque of 450 Nm, the naturally aspirated 4-litre, 6-cylinder boxer engine can rev up to 9,000 rpm. Combined with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox with close ratios, it allows the 718 Spyder RS to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and to reach double that speed from a standstill in 10.9 seconds. That means shaving half a second off the short acceleration time compared with the 718 Spyder, whose engine produces 80 CV less. The top speed also rises by 8 km/h, to 308 km/h on the RS.

The improvement in performance, which makes the 718 Spyder RS the most powerful, fastest and sportiest convertible, is not due to the increase in power alone: the 718 Spyder RS is 40 kg lighter than the 718 Spyder… and even reduces the weight of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS by 5 kg. The design of the fabric roof plays a large part here: it is single-layer and does without any electrical assistance to operate. It is also removable, which allows you to leave it in the garage and “save” another 8 kg of weight. In total, the roof with its mechanism weighs 18.3 kg, almost 8 kg less than on the 718 Spyder.

Otherwise, externally the 718 Spyder RS replicates the design and trim of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, with the CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced polymer) bonnet and its recognisable air intakes: the large NACA ducts at the front to ensure brake cooling, and the deflectors at the ends of the bumper to generate downforce on the front axle. At the rear, the fixed spoiler of the closed version gives way to a “duckbill” wing.

Sports suspension and optional Weissach package

Compared with the 718 Spyder, the RS has a specific suspension setup and a ride height lowered by 30 mm. Both the electronically controlled PASM damping system and the torque vectoring Porsche Torque Vectoring system come as standard equipment, supplemented by a mechanical limited-slip rear differential and 20-inch wheels. Suspension bearings and ball joints are also specific to this version, which allows individual adjustment of camber, track and anti-roll bars.

Completing the equipment designed to deliver maximum effectiveness in sporty driving are the lightweight standard bucket seats with carbon structure and the RS sports steering wheel trimmed in Race-Tex. The Weissach package, fully geared towards maximum performance, is available as an option. It includes magnesium wheels, a titanium exhaust system and a livery inspired by the spectacular Porsche 935.

The price of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS for the Spanish market is 180,080 euros, which is about 64,000 euros more than the 718 Spyder. It is the same price as the closed version, the 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

Porsche 718 Spyder RS – Image gallery