If you think the new 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Sports Car looks aggressive, well, that is because it is. It is kind of the Boxster’s equivalent to the 718 Cayman GT4 RS. In fact, the two shares an identical powertrain which is the 4.0L 6-cylinder boxer from the 911 GT3 that produces 483 horses and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. This latest Spyder also marks the first time, the high-revving naturally aspirated engine from the 911 GT3 is being used in an open-topped mid-engine sports car.
The illustrious engine is paired with a short-ration seven-speed PDK transmission, affording the two-seater to rocket from naught to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. It will take only 10.9 seconds for it to hit the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark. In addition, the top speed is higher now, at 308 km/h (191 mph). The driver can choose to work the gear using the steering-mounted gearshift paddles or use the selector lever found on the center console.
The stellar performance is also attributed to a lower weight of 1,410 kilograms (3,109 lbs). The CFRP hood with a wide air outlet and large, sculpted front spoiler, along with the many air intakes, including two NACA ducts for brake cooling, lends it an aggressive look. Further on the aeros, it is rocking sideblades on the outer ends of the bumper that increase downforce and instead of a traditional spoiler, it has a tear-off edge shaped like a ducktail.
It is worth noting that part of the weight saving is attributed to the exceptionally lightweight and manual soft-top roof, as well as the standard lightweight stainless steel sports exhaust system. That’s right. Manual soft top. You can’t get any purer than this, can you?
Other notables include Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with sports tuning and lowered by 30 mm, Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with a mechanical limited-slip differential, ball-jointed suspension bearings, 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, and individually adjustable ride height, camber, track, and anti-roll bar.
On the inside, there’s the Race-Tex wrapped RS sports steering wheel and a pair of standard full bucket seats in CRRP and in a carbon-weave finish. The seats are wrapped in black leather with a perforated Race-Tex seat center.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS Sports Car will have a starting price of US$162,350 when it becomes available in Spring 2024. Meanwhile, the car will make its public premiere in June at the festivities marking 75 years of Porsche Sports Cars in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen. After that, it will also make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in England.
Images: Porsche.
