The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is Stuttgart’s most hardcore drop

Porsche has unveiled the 718 Spyder RS, its most hardcore production convertible yet. Fitted with the same 9000rm 4.0-litre flat-six as the Cayman GT4 RS and a standard stainless sports exhaust, the 718 Spyder RS is sure to tingle some vertebrae.

Porsche has decided to unveil the new Spyder RS on the 30th anniversary of the original Boxster concept (a portmanteau of Boxer and Roadster) that introduced a more attainable drop-top from Stuttgart.

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS will start from $336,100 before on-road costs, and first deliveries are scheduled for the second quarter of 2024.

"The 718 Spyder RS raises driving pleasure to a new level for open-top vehicles," said the legendary Andreas Preuninger, director of Porsche's GT cars department.

Under the Spyder RS’ rear deck is a naturally-aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six petrol engine producing 368kW and 450Nm – identical to the GT4 RS and 911 GT3, and 58kW up on the ‘regular’ 718 Spyder.

Weighing 1410kg, the Spyder RS is 5kg lighter than the fixed-head Cayman GT4 RS, though it shares the same 0-100km/h sprint time at 3.4 seconds. As the Spyder RS is an RS product, it's available exclusively with a seven-speed PDK automatic transmission – no manual here.

The 718 Spyder RS gets bodywork upgrades, including a carbon-fibre bonnet with NACA ducts to cool the brakes, canards on the bumper, and a front lip spoiler. The lip is shorter than that of the Cayman GT4 RS, and is balanced by a tasteful ducktail spoiler in place of the Cayman's wing to produce a "coordinated" aerodynamic balance, says Porsche.

Sitting on 20-inch forged alloy wheels, the Spyder RS scores PASM (adaptive dampers) as standard and rolls out of Weissach sitting 30mm lower than the 718 Spyder. But it doesn't have to stay that way – like the GT4 RS, the Spyder RS has adjustable ride height, camber, track width and anti-roll bar settings.

It also features rose joints and bearings in the suspension where the standard cars get rubber bushings, as well as an electronically-controlled, mechanically-locking rear differential. To give the Spyder RS a more relaxed ride than the GT4 RS, Porsche has specified softer spring and damper rates.

Porsche describes the 18.3kg ‘Bimini top’ of the Spyder RS as "a sun sail and a weather deflector" all in one. Operation is manual, naturally, and it gives owners options. If your chosen Sunday looks hot and sunny, the Spyder RS can be run fully open, or with just the ‘sun sail’ to keep harsh rays off the skin, but air circulating through the cabin.

For the more inclement weekends, a rain protection layer can be installed, kind of like using a tent with a fly. Both parts can be removed and stored in the car, so you never have to venture out with fear of getting rained on without protection – or you can leave it and save 8kg.

An optional Weissach package brings forged magnesium wheels, a titanium exhaust, and an exterior treatment inspired by the 2018 GT2 RS-based 935.

Buyers will also get a handcrafted chronograph from Porsche's in-house watchmaker in Solothurn, Switzerland that features a titanium body with a carbon dial and strap made from the same seat leather as your Spyder.

Inside, the Spyder RS gets a Race-Tex (Porsche in-house Alcantara-type material) with a 12 o’clock marker and a set of carbon wing-back bucket seats with a mix of Race-Tex and leather upholstery.

Australian vehicles get a tyre mobility kit, windscreen sun-shield strip, active LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, cruise control, DAB radio, reversing sensors, and a back-up camera. Buyers will be able to option heated seats and a Bose sound system at no cost, should they wish to add a couple of kilos back on.

Porsche will offer a choice of seven standard paint colours; four solid and three metallics, including, Vanadium grey metallic, Arctic grey, Shark blue and Ruby Star neo.

The Porsche 718 Spyder RS is available to order now from $336,800 before on-road costs and options. Customer deliveries are expected to commence in the second quarter (between April-June inclusive) of 2024.

A Sydney boy through-and-through, John wasn't treated to the usual suite of Aussie-built family cars growing up, with his parents choosing quirky (oft-chevroned) French motors that shaped his love of cars.