Sun’s out, guns out! Porsche unleashes what is said to be the very last Porsche 718 model with an internal combustion engine, the new 718 Spyder RS.
The Porsche 718 Spider RS comes to us from the 718 Cayman GT4 getting the RS treatment, and now the drop-top version of the hot mid-engine vehicle gets RS flare with the 4.0-liter flat-six-cylinder engine that produces 493 horsepower and 331 lb-ft of torque and gets mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (PDK). Zero to 60 mph time will match its coupe counterpart taking just 3.2 seconds.
The RS hotness in a drop-top features a manual soft top that breaks down into two pieces, a sunshield and weather protector, and stored in the vehicle. The reason for such a top is for weight savings, which is the forte of Porsche RS vehicles, where the two-piece soft top saves about 16 pounds over the standard 718 Spider one-piece top.
Porsche’s Active Suspension Management (PASM) and mechanical torque-vectoring limited-slip rear differential are both standard features for the 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The suspension components from the Cayman GT4 were repurposed, providing a fully adjustable setup from ride height to anti-roll bar stiffness.
Porsche says the interior has been stripped down to its “functional and ergonomic essentials,” with carbon-fiber full-bucket seats designed for lateral support while still offering adjustability. Surprisingly, the dash and trim pieces are still covered in leather. Overall, Porsche’s treatment reduces the RS’s weight by 59 pounds compared to the regular Spyder.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS will be unveiled at Porsche’s June celebration of 75 years of sports cars in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, followed by an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
The 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS will be available for purchase in the U.S. next spring at a starting price of $162,150. Additionally, Porsche Design has revealed its new Chronograph 718 Spyder RS for buyers of the car, priced at $8,800.
