Porsche brings out most powerful Boxster ever

PHOTO: New Porsche 718 Spyder RS gets the naturally aspirated flat-six engine of the Porsche 911 GT3.

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Thirty years after Porsche presented the Boxster concept car, the brand is launching the most powerful version yet of the popular mid-engine roadster. The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS gets the naturally aspirated six-cylinder boxer engine of the Porsche 911 GT3 — the first time the power plant is used in an open-top, mid-engine sports car.

As the convertible counterpart of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is the crown of the brand’s 718 mid-engine range. The model’s combination of a lightweight, manually operated soft-top roof and naturally aspirated engine, which sounds even better because of its sports exhaust and special air inlets, creates an exceptional experience purists will surely appreciate.

The powertrain of the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is identical to that of the fixed-roof 718 Cayman GT4 RS coupe. The 4.0-liter flat-six revs up to 9,000 rpm, and outputs 500 hp and 450 Nm. Combined with a short-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission, the engine catapults the roadster from rest to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 308 km/h.

Fitted on the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is a CFRP hood with two gaping NACA ducts that enhance brake cooling without affecting aerodynamics. Side blades on the bumper increase downforce. A ducktail is mounted at the rear, replacing a wing. 

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS’s chassis comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical limited-slip differential, ball-joint suspension bearings, and 20-inch forged aluminum wheels. Ride height, camber, track and anti-roll bar stiffness can be adjusted individually. Compared to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, spring and damper rates have been reduced to achieve a more relaxed, characteristically convertible-style setup.

Defining the cabin of the car are an RS sports steering wheel covered with Race-Tex, standard full bucket seats made from CFRP, and a combination of leather and perforated Race-Tex wrappings in black, Arctic Grey and Carmine Red. A “Spyder RS” logo is embroidered on the headrests. 

Available exterior colors for the Porsche 718 Spyder include four plain and three metallic paints, including the new Vanadium Grey Metallic, Arctic Grey, Shark Blue and Ruby Star Neo.