New Porsche 718 Spyder RS Is An Open-Top, 9,000 RPM Swansong

New Porsche 718 Spyder RS stands as the final combustion-powered 718 model.

The current generation Porsche 718 mid-engined sportscar range nears the end of its line as the famed Stuttgart marque revealed the latest and final combustion-powered model to bear said nameplate. Christened as the Porsche 718 Spyder RS, this is quite the swansong indeed.

Essentially, this is an open-top redux of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS that made landfall in Malaysia late last year with a staggering RM1.55 million starting price. Expect this new open-top twin to command equally serious figures too should Sime Darby Auto Performance (SDAP) open up the order books for it.

Essentially, this is a lightweight, open-top redux of the manic 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

The final iteration of the combustion-powered 718 range also stands as the most powerful Boxster-based special to date. This stems from the 718 Spyder RS’s adoption of the same 4.0-litre naturally aspirated ‘boxer’ (flat) 6-cyl as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS – which in itself is derived from the manic 911 GT3 model.

There’s 493 HP and 450 NM, both managed and transmitted to the rear wheels via Porsche’s signature and lightning quick 7-speed PDK dual-clutch box to enable 0-100 KM/H sprints in just 3.4 seconds and a V-max of 307 KM/H. Let’s not forget the glorious soundtrack it promises thanks to its 9,000 RPM red-line.

Carbon fibre air intakes feed air to the 4.0-litre nat-asp 'boxer' (flat) 6-cyl mounted in the middle, which also boasts a deafening 9,000 RPM red-line.

On board, the 718 Spyder RS adopts CFRP bucket seats, pull-strap door handles, as minimalist RS steering wheel unit, all in the name of saving weight.

According to Porsche, the open roof “makes the highly evocative sound of the engine an even more compelling experience.” Bolstering that further is the fitment of a lightweight stainless steel sports exhaust and distinct new carbon fibre air intakes mounted just next to the headrests.

“Designed for maximum pleasure on winding roads,” the 718 Spyder RS brings the same track-honed chassis upgrade package seen in the Cayman GT4 RS. It sits 30 MM closer to the ground on stiffer shocks, and it benefits with Porsche’s active suspension management (PASM) system as standard.

Other key chassis upgrades include a corner-carving torque-vectoring package with a mechanical differential lock on the rear axle, as well as weight-saving measures such as the adoption of carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet and wings, not forgetting race-style 20-inch centre-locking forged wheels.

Further weight savings can be seen on board with the cabin too as the 718 Spyder RS adopts CFRP bucket seats upholstered in leather and microfibre, and mechanical door handles swapped for pull straps instead. Even the steering wheel adopted is a minimalist RS unit featuring a ‘12 o’clock’ yellow cente-line marking.

Ultra-lightweight roof cover is all manual and weighs in at just 18.3 KG.

For the roof, or lack thereof, the 718 Spyder RS takes its lead from the regular (but barely less powerful) 718 Spyder. It does gain a pair of distinct buttresses on its rear deck, as well as a prominent ‘ducktail’ rear wing that promises enhanced aerodynamics.

Should drivers need cover from the elements, the 718 Spyder RS still comes with a soft-top assembly that Porsche touts as an ‘ultra lightweight’ type.

Sans the roof cover, key design traits of the 718 Spyder RS are clearer, namely the buttresses on the rear deck, and the distinct 'ducktail' rear spoiler.

Manually operated and made of a lightweight single-layer canvas, the entire structure weighs just 18.3 KG, making it 7.6 KG lighter over the non-RS Spyder’s and up to 16.5 KG less than the standard Boxster’s. This roof cover can also be stowed in the car or removed entirely, the latter saving up to 8 KG on the move.

Altogether, the 718 Spyder RS tips the scales at 1,410 KG, making it 40 KG lighter than the regular Spyder. This, in turn seens power-to-weight ratio improved to about 350 HP per tonne, which slightly edges over the hard-topped Cayman’s 348 HP per tonne figure.

“Designed for maximum pleasure on winding roads," says Porsche about the 718 Spyder RS.

Production numbers aren’t strictly limited, and Porsche hasn’t put an end date to production either. However, Porsche says what will limit how many 718 Spyder RS units it can build are the carbon fibre components, like the air intakes mentioned – they’re the production bottleneck.

In Germany, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS sees a list price figure of €151,215 (approx. RM738,802). However, based on the figure SDAP set for the 718 Cayman GT4 RS prior, expect this open-top twin to command similar, if not higher, figures should it make landfall in Malaysia.

What do you think of this swansong to the combustion-powered 718 Boxster then? Hit the comments below with your thoughts.