Porsche 718 Spyder RS review open top performance and specs for 2024

For performance purists and car enthusiasts who live for the sensation of open-air driving, Porsche has delivered something exceptional. Introducing the all-new 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS—an open-top counterpart to the track-focused Cayman GT4 RS. With the RS badge now gracing the Boxster lineage, Porsche aims to merge raw power with sensory indulgence.

This article offers a comprehensive look at the new 718 Spyder RS, covering its engineering prowess, design aesthetics, and why it’s already become a coveted gem among enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Performance Meets Purity

At the core of the 2024 718 Spyder RS lies the same heart-pounding engine that drives the Cayman GT4 RS: the naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six, plucked from the storied 911 GT3. This is not just a convertible with flair—it’s a dynamic experience engineered for maximum performance and auditory delight.

• Engine: 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six
• Power Output: 493 horsepower at 8,400 rpm
• Torque: 331 lb-ft at 6,250 rpm
• Transmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic
• Redline: 9,000 rpm

With a 0-60 mph sprint of just 3.2 seconds, the Spyder RS doesn’t merely emulate its coupe sibling—it matches it. What’s more, the PDK transmission ensures seamless gear transitions, giving drivers superior control whether on winding mountain roads or smooth urban streets.

Driving Experience: The Soundtrack of Speed

Porsche engineers have embraced what makes open-top motoring so exhilarating: the immersion. Every rev of the engine in the Spyder RS is a symphony, made even more visceral by the standard sport exhaust system with dual tailpipes crafted in lightweight stainless steel. Air intakes positioned behind the driver and passenger add an extra sonic thrill, channeling induction sounds directly to the ears.

Unlike many convertibles that sacrifice stiffness or agility, the 718 Spyder RS adopts lightweight construction and refined chassis tuning. This includes borrowing the suspension setup from the Cayman GT4 RS but modified for a road-biased balance. The package is performance but comfortable—agile yet composed.

RS-Specific Chassis and Aerodynamics

To earn the RS badge, Porsche has fine-tuned every detail of the 718 Spyder platform. This isn’t merely a cosmetic makeover; we’re talking serious performance underpinnings.

• PASM (Porsche Active Suspension Management): Lowered by 30mm, enhancing handling
• Lightweight Components: Carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) front lid and optional Weissach Package for greater reductions
• Wheel Options: Standard 20-inch forged aluminum wheels with ultra-grippy Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires
• Aerodynamics: Front splitter, rear ducktail spoiler, and rear diffuser for optimized airflow and downforce

Combined, these elements create a driving experience rooted in feedback and precision. The aerodynamic approach isn’t as aggressive as the GT4 RS’s towering wing, yet the Spyder RS maintains high-speed stability thanks to fine-tuned airflow management.

Visual Impact and Convertible Engineering

The open-top design is not an afterthought—it’s a statement. The manually operated soft top, supported by a lightweight carbon-fiber structure, chops off unnecessary pounds while allowing users to enjoy quick transitions between enclosed and open-air driving. Even with the roof removed, structural rigidity is commendable.

Available in a spectrum of RS-exclusive paint finishes like Arctic Grey and Shark Blue, the 718 Spyder RS flaunts its identity unapologetically. Inside the cabin:

• Seats: Carbon-weaved, body-hugging bucket seats wrapped in Race-Tex
• Trim: RS badging with minimalist dash layout, focusing on function over flash
• Steering: Alcantara-wrapped and track-ready, with a yellow 12 o’clock marker

Every material, stitch, and button is designed with lightweight precision and performance-focused ergonomics in mind. Porsche’s devotion to the driver experience is clearly visible.

The Weissach Package: Track-Ready Luxury

For those aiming to push the Spyder RS to its limits, Porsche offers the optional Weissach Package. Named after the brand’s motorsport development center, this pack brings not only performance tweaks but also aesthetic flourishes.

Weissach Package Features Include:

• Carbon-fiber trim elements, including air scoops and hood
• Titanium exhaust pipes inspired by the 935
• Magnesium wheels that further reduce unsprung weight
• Special embroidery on the headrests and interior badging

While pricey, this package significantly elevates both the collectible value and performance characteristics of the vehicle. Whether displayed at car meets or unleashed on backroads, the Weissach-equipped RS turns heads and lap times alike.

Comparison with the Cayman GT4 RS

Although the 718 Spyder RS shares its powertrain with the Cayman GT4 RS, there are meaningful distinctions that will push buyers to choose based on driving style and preference.

Key Differences

• Body Style: Spyder RS is open-top; GT4 RS is coupe-only
• Chassis Setup: Spyder RS has softer suspension for more road compliance
• Downforce: GT4 RS’s aerospace wing delivers more track-based grip
• Weight: Spyder RS is slightly lighter due to its soft top and aerodynamic configuration

If the Cayman GT4 RS is the scalpel for the racetrack, the Spyder RS is the driver’s spirited companion meant to stir the senses as much as the stopwatch.

Collectibility and Market Position

As Porsche phases out internal combustion Boxsters in favor of hybrid and electric variants, the 718 Spyder RS represents a poignant final chapter. It’s not simply another RS model—it’s potentially the last gas-powered, mid-engined open-top Porsche.

Expect demand to outstrip supply, especially considering limited production numbers and Porsche’s typical attention to enthusiast markets. Prices are estimated to start north of $160,000 before options.

For dealers, this car is gold: high desirability, low depreciation, and intense interest from collectors.

Ideal Buyer Profile

• Collectors: Enthusiasts who value last-of-their-kind models
• Track-Day Regulars: Drivers looking to merge the exhilaration of speed with the sensation of open driving
• Lifestyle Owners: Porsche fans who want a limited-production head-turner for leisure drives and weekend getaways

If the sound of a flat-six bouncing off canyon walls is your idea of perfection, the 718 Spyder RS may just be your new favorite car.

Final Thoughts

Porsche has never been shy about evolution, but it has always known how to end a chapter with theatrical finesse. The 718 Spyder RS is that final flourish—a statement of pure, analog joy in an increasingly digital world.

From its high-revving engine to its emotive design and race-ready performance, this car isn’t for everyone. But for those who understand it, it might be the most unforgettable drive Porsche has ever offered in this segment.

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