Product Highlights: Hungry for every curve – The 718 Spyder

22/07/2020

The Porsche 718 Spyder is a particularly emotional and powerful model, sitting atop the 718 model series.

Its pure character will appeal to sports car enthusiasts who delight in driving pleasure and appreciate a high level of agility and an intimate proximity to the centre of power while the breeze blows through their hair. The perfectly balanced mid-engine concept offers all this for open top purist drivers.

Unfiltered pleasure completely exhilarating

For the first time ever, the 718 Spyder shares a technical base with the 718 Cayman GT4. This includes the newly developed four-litre six-cylinder naturally aspirated engine, together with a six-speed manual transmission. Whilst the GT4 represents the entry-level GT road model from Porsche, the Spyder offers the chance to hear the engine note unfiltered with the roof down.

Pure Performance

At the heart of the 718 Spyder is a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine. The naturally aspirated engine is based on the same engine family as the turbo engines in the current 911 Carrera model series. The fascinating character of this naturally aspirated engine boasts the immediate response of a GT engine and the unparalleled boxer sound remains untouched.

Designed for purists

The third generation of the Spyder is a pure machine for driving pleasure with a lightweight convertible top. It continues the history of famous Roadsters like the Porsche 550 Spyder and the 718 RS 60 Spyder.

Open or closed, it thrills with a captivating silhouette. The roof is suitable for everyday use and can be stowed away under the boot lid in just a few steps.

Unlike the GT4, the 718 Spyder has a rear spoiler that comes up automatically at 120 km/h. Thanks to the functional diffuser, it is the first model in the Boxster family to generate aerodynamic downforce at the rear axle.

Focused on driving dynamics

For the first time ever, the 718 Spyder also benefits from the high-performance GT chassis of the 718 Cayman GT4. With its superior cornering dynamics, it provides an emotional driving experience. Its further refined lightweight spring-strut front and rear axles make use of racing technologies.

The Porsche Active Suspension Management damping system with 30 mm lower suspension drops the centre of gravity and improves lateral dynamics potential. The Porsche Stability Management (PSM) operates with even greater sensitivity and precision but can optionally also be deactivated in two steps.

Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock further enhances the longitudinal and lateral dynamics, cornering performance and driving pleasure.

At the race track drivers can hone their skills with the Porsche Track Precision App, which can be displayed directly on the car’s screen using Apple CarPlay® and operated via the Porsche Communication Management (PCM) system.

By the numbers

309 kW / 420 PS* (horsepower)

Four-liter six-cylinder naturally aspirated boxer engine

Six-speed manual transmission with dual-mass flywheel

Top speed 301 km/h

0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds

30mm lower suspension

In summary: The 718 Spyder lends itself to all kinds of curves.

*PS (Pferde Stärke, German for horsepower) is the standard unit used in the European Union to measure the power output of a motor in ‘metric horsepower’

Driving comfort and dynamics

Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM)
Porsche Stability Management (PSM)
Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) with mechanical rear differential lock

Australian standard specifications

Bi-Xenon headlights including Porsche Dynamic Light System

ParkAssist including reversing camera

Automatically dimming mirrors with rain sensor

Ambient interior lighting

Alarm system with interior surveillance

Apple CarPlay, navigation including Porsche Connect, digital radio

Cruise control

Two-zone climate control

Heated seats

Warranty and Service Pricing

3 year warranty
Service pricing varies from state to state due to different labour rates. For an indication of service pricing please visit the website of your closest Porsche Centre.

What the press say

“With a screaming high-output engine, immediate and instinctive responses, unapologetically sensual styling, and minimal regard for practicality, the Porsche 718 Spyder is if not a supercar, then the best impersonation of one." Kez Casey, CarAdvice.com.au

(Full review here.)

"And the engine is truly sensational. At any rpm it’s bristling with willingness and enthusiasm. From low in the revs, flatten the throttle and it pulls cleanly and strongly against the taller gears, motivated by that muscular mid-range until at about 5600rpm when the rate of acceleration steps up another notch, a frenetic and potent surge all the way to the 8000rpm redline."

-Dylan Campbell, Motor Magazine (full review here.)

“Sporting a track-tuned GT chassis and a fiery new six-pot engine, Porsche's new Spyder is an instant classic.”

-Feann Torr, Carsales.com.au (full review here.)