Horizontally Opposed

Welcome to the second issue of Porsche Parade for 2023.

Our cover story for this issue is the 2024 718 Spyder RS, the meanest Boxster variant to date. This beast is packing a 4.0-litre flat-six engine borrowed straight from the almighty 911 GT3 and 718 Cayman GT4 RS, and it’s an all-natural symphony of power.

Rumor had it that a GT4 RS counterpart was in the works, and now Porsche has confirmed it. While the Spyder RS maintains its droptop allure, there are a few key differences, though Porsche assures us that the powertrain remains unchanged. The 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine screams all the way up to 9000 rpm, delivering a mind-blowing 493 horsepower and 449 newton-meters of torque. That’s an impressive 79-hp advantage over the already potent 718 Spyder.

Staying true to the RS lineage, the Spyder RS will only be available with Porsche’s seven-speed PDK automatic transmission. The gear ratios have been shortened to improve acceleration, and Porsche claims a 0-100 km/h time of 3.2 seconds, but we suspect it’s a conservative estimate.

The chassis of the Spyder RS combines elements from the Cayman GT4 RS and the 718 Spyder. It comes standard with Porsche Active Suspension Management, sport calibration, and a lowered ride height of 3 centimetres. The rear is equipped with a mechanical limited-slip differential, ball-jointed suspension mountings, and 20-inch centre locking forged alloy wheels. Compared to the GT4 RS, the spring and damper rates have been softened for a more relaxed, convertible-style setup.