2023 Porsche 718 Spyder RS: Prices, specs and release date

Richard Aucock, Contributor
Wed, 10 May 2023

• Thrilling new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is an instant mid-engined classic
• 500ps 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the Porsche 911 GT3 revs to 9000rpm
• Promises ‘unfiltered’ sound with air intakes next to headrests
• Prices from £123,000 and it’s on sale now

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is an exciting new halo car for the famous Porsche 718 Boxster range ahead of its mooted switch to pure electric power from 2025. And, with a 500ps 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the Porsche 911 GT3, it’s quite the swansong…

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is billed as the fastest and most powerful 718 roadster of all time. It has been given the chassis to match, with a comprehensive makeover inspired by the hard-top Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is a more extreme version of the existing Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder, and is set to make its global debut at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed in June. Unique and immediately collectable, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is a car virtually without rival. Here’s why we think it’s an instant classic…

2023 Porsche 718 Spyder RS prices and release date

New Porsche 718 Spyder RS prices start from £123,000. This is the same as the hard-top Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS – but is quite the hike from the £80,200 price of the existing Porsche 718 Spyder.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is on sale now – ahead of its dynamic premiere at the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed. It will make its public debut during the festivities marking 75 years of Porsche in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen.

2023 Porsche 718 Spyder RS styling, interior and technology

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS shares a bold, race-inspired front end with the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. It has a CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic) bonnet, featuring a broad air inlet just above the front bumper. The bonnet has dual NACA ducts to boost brake cooling, while the front bumper has sideblades to improve downforce.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has a shorter front spoiler lip than the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. That’s because the Cayman has a larger rear wing, which needs to be balanced at the front. The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS instead has a distinctive ducktail-style rear spoiler.

Other notable elements for the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS include front wing air outlets and larger CFRP side air intakes. Both are another way to spot it at a glance over the regular Porsche 718 Spyder. Instead of badges, it carries lightweight ‘Spyder RS’ stickers on the front doors and rear bumper. Owners can choose the colour.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS shares part of the rear engine cover with the Porsche Cayman GT4 RS. Below this lies a high-mounted air intake system. To feed this, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has air intakes on the side, behind the headrests.

This requires a new design of fabric roof for the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS. The lightweight single-layer roof is manually operated and described as “amazingly compact”. There are two parts: a sun sail and a weather deflector. They are designed to be stowed in the cabin. The sun sail is called a ‘Bimini top’ and can shade passengers from intense sunlight, with the sides and rear still open to the elements.

The manual roof of the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS weighs just 18.3kg. This is 7.6kg less than the regular Porsche 718 Spyder. It is also 16.5kg less than the standard Porsche 718 Boxster. Porsche says a further 8kg can be saved if drivers leave the top at home entirely – weather permitting, of course…

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is available in four solid and three metallic colours, including a new Vanadium Grey metallic, plus Arctic Grey, Shark Blue and Ruby Star Neo.

Inside, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has a lightweight, minimalist feel. Standard full bucket seats are made from CFRP, with black leather covers and a Race-Tex seat centre in a contrast colour – either Arctic Grey or Carmine Red. A Spyder RS logo in a matching colour is embroidered on the headrests. Meanwhile, fabric straps replace the doorhandles.

The steering wheel of the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS is also covered in grippy Race-Tex, with a yellow 12 o’clock marking. As part of the optional Weissach Package, the upper part of the dashboard can also be covered in Race-Tex, instead of standard leather.

Owners can also buy a Porsche Design watch to match their new Porsche 718 Spyder RS. This has a lightweight titanium case, carbon dial and leather strap to match the interior. It will cost around £8,250.

2023 Porsche 718 Spyder RS engines, performance and fuel economy

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS features the powerful 500ps 4.0-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six engine from the Porsche 911 GT3. This is 80ps more than the regular Porsche 718 Spyder. It can rev to an incredible 9000rpm.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has a standard close-ratio seven-speed PDK transmission. It serves up 0-62mph performance in 3.4 seconds. 0-124mph takes 10.9 seconds and the top speed is 191mph.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS averages 21.7mpg, compared to 26.4mpg for the regular Porsche 718 Spyder with a PDK dual-clutch gearbox. It emits 294g/km CO2.

Overall, the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS weighs 1410kg. This is 40kg less than the regular Porsche 718 Spyder. Surprisingly, it is also 5kg less than the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Further weight-saving is likely with the optional Weissach Package, which includes forged magnesium alloy wheels and titanium exhaust tailpipes.

The new Porsche 718 Spyder RS has standard Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) with specific sports tuning. It is 30mm lower, sits on 20-inch forged alloy wheels, and has ball-jointed suspension bearings. Porsche Torque vectoring and a mechanical limited-slip differential are standard.

Owners of the new Porsche 718 Spyder RS can adjust the ride height, camber, track and anti-roll bar individually. Porsche adds that agile, “extremely neutral” handling is aided by spring and damper rates that have been reduced over the extreme Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS, for a more relaxed and “characteristically convertible-style” set-up.

“The 718 Spyder RS raises driving pleasure to a new level for open-top cars,” said Porsche head of GT cars Andreas Preuninger. “The combination of our unmistakable GT3 engine, the close-ratio transmission, compact dimensions, low weight, road-optimised racing suspension and maximum openness offers an extremely compelling and unfiltered driving experience.”

Ask HJ

I'm near retirement and am looking to buy a new car. Should I buy outright or go for something on a PCP?

I'm a year off retirement and am lucky to have a decent pension and lump sum. I want to get a new car this year, so should I buy cash now or still do a PCP for 3-5 years? Over the years I've owned a Volkswagen Golf GTI, Audi TT, Mercedes SLK, Porsche Boxster and now have a Volkswagen Golf R - I'm considering another Golf but fancy a MINI, maybe a John Cooper Works. I might move to Devon so need to consider narrow lanes.

Given you are in a strong negotiating position, whether you choose a PCP or buying outright really depends on your needs. Buying outright gives you the option of shopping around, while a PCP would mean a little less choice and paying a bit more overall, but also the option to change your vehicle more easily once you've paid 50 per cent of the total amount payable. From a purely financial perspective buying outright likely works out a little cheaper, but the most cost-effective option would be to buy a car that is between one and three years old to avoid the biggest chunk of depreciation. You don't mention whether your current Volkswagen Golf R is owned outright or also on a PCP, but it would be well suited to narrow lanes being relatively compact. A MINI John Cooper Works is a little smaller still and would also be a good choice, although you might find it a little slow compared to your current Golf.

Answered by David Ross

More Questions