Porsche’s RS treatment seen on the 718 Cayman GT4 arrived at the Spyder. With 493 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque, the hot-trotting drop-top will snatch a 60-mph run in just 3.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 191 mph. There’s a lot of wind in my hair.
Sticking to the previous RS formula, the Spyder packs Porsche’s 4.0-liter flat-six mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It borrows the front end design from the Cayman GT4 RS, drawing more air into the Spyder RS’s cooling characteristics without unduly impacting its aerodynamics. The anterior lip is carbon fiber and flaps on the front bumper edges add downforce. Instead of the GT4 RS’s protruding rear wing, the Spyder sports a ducktail spoiler.
The manual top of the Spyder breaks down into two parts: the sun visor and the weather protection, which can be stored directly in the car. The sun visor can be used on its own or paired with the weather shield for a riding experience closer to the water; just be sure to remember to roll up the windows. This bikini is 16 pounds lighter than the standard 718 one-piece. See? There are practical benefits to going slinky.
Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) is standard, as is the limited slip rear differential with mechanical torque vectoring. Here too the suspension components from the Cayman GT4 have been repurposed and the fully adjustable setup carries over, from ride height to anti-roll bar stiffness. Porsche says the Spyder’s ride will be a little more touring-oriented than that of the Cayman GT4 to achieve a “more relaxed, typically convertible-style ride.”
The interior has been pared down to its “functional and ergonomic essentials,” says Porsche. The carbon fiber bucket seats are designed for lateral support while still offering adjustability. Despite the broader air of performance-oriented austerity, the dash and trim parts are still adorned in leather. What are we, peasants?
Porsche’s treatment takes 59 pounds off the RS over the regular Spyder, but if that weren’t enough (and it obviously isn’t, right?) there’s the Weissach package, which adds an exposed carbon fiber hood, air intakes, carbon fiber side vents and a carbon fiber Gurney flap on the rear spoiler. You can also specify it with forged magnesium wheels. Porsche only says they are “particularly light”; perhaps the definitive figure is not yet available.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS will make its world debut at Porsche’s June festivities to mark 75 years of sport cars in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, after which it will appear at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will go on sale in the US next spring for $162,150, plus or minus a hundred thousand or two.
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