On paper, the Porsche 718 Spyder RS is a Cayman GT4 RS with no roof and with no wing, although it’s hardly with out. Whereas it lacks the rollover safety desired for a racetrack and the downforce wanted to extend apex velocity, the Spyder RS has extra driver engagement than an Military Surplus has OD inexperienced. However it’s gentle on fatigue as a result of it additionally rides nicely.

Will it excel on a racetrack, as implied by the RS suffix—for rennsport, German for motor racing? Completely. However Andreas Preuninger and his crew, these liable for all Porsche’s GT vehicles, did not even try a Nürburgring lap time. Which, if you happen to ask us, is a bit bizarre as a result of even the Panamera and the Cayenne have laps on report.

Much less weight, extra money

The end result may very nicely be peak highway automotive. With the 4.0-liter’s consumption inches away out of your left ear, each journey to 9000 rpm places you in a valvetrain trance that is solely damaged by the unwavering brakes. Iron rotors are customary, however go for the carbon-ceramic stoppers ($8000) if unsprung and rotating mass are high considerations. The ceramic rotors save about 40 kilos, and when you’re there you may as nicely go for the magnesium wheels ($15,640) that shave one other 22 kilos. However to get the wheels, you additionally must examine the field for the Weissach package deal ($14,730 with the required inside upgrades). The Weissach package deal is principally an look package consisting of uncovered carbon-fiber elements which can be in any other case painted, a faux-suede sprint, and a tiny carbon lip on the duck-like spoiler.

Tacking practically $40,000 onto a $163,650 Boxster that is not alleged to see monitor responsibility appears extreme except you’ve a fetish for uncovered carbon fiber. However we do not choose.

To make this Spyder RS further harmonious with public roads, the GT crew did one thing it has by no means finished with an RS automotive: cut back spring charges. In comparison with the GT4 RS, they’re down by 55 p.c in entrance and 43 p.c within the rear. There is not any wing, no underbody strakes, and a 2.0-inch shorter entrance splitter. The Spyder RS additionally rides 0.2 inch larger. However the engine is similar 493-hp 4.0-liter with particular person throttle our bodies (that is one per cylinder) and dry-sump lubrication.

A seven-speed dual-clutch is the only real transmission. Contemplating that Porsche emphasizes this being a highway automotive, a handbook would have made extra sense, however we’re instructed there is not a row-your-own gearbox out there that may spin quick sufficient, that has sufficient torque capability, and that may match. The upside to the PDK is unflappable launch management. Porsche says the Spyder RS will hit 60 in 3.2 seconds, however we obtained 2.8 out of a GT4 RS, a quantity we totally count on the roofless mannequin to compete with. In reality, many of the acceleration numbers will probably be comparable. The Spyder RS is simply 11 kilos lighter than the GT4 RS, per Porsche.

Cropped High

For these desirous to discover the higher limits of the Spyder’s velocity, know that the 191-mph high velocity is with the roof eliminated. Porsche says to not exceed 122 mph when the roof is in place—though calling the 18-pound high a roof is like calling a three-ounce poncho a jacket. The 2-piece design is an assemble-it-yourself affair. Should you’re versed within the Spyder methods, it may be finished solo in below two minutes. Regardless of its loin-cloth look, the highest capabilities extra like fashionable compression shorts. It has a rigidity cable that eliminates buffeting. And you’ll run it with out the rear glass portion, like a bikini high on a Jeep CJ7. It is not as handy because the handbook Miata-like roof in the usual Spyder, although Porsche claims it to be 17 kilos lighter.

Hammer on this automotive on a two-lane to disclose the magic. It is not simply the extra supple trip bestowed by softer springs. Regardless of the on-road focus, the suspension is devoid of rubber bushings—it is all ball joints. There is not any downforce (or carry). It is a neutral-lift automotive, so the steering does not have that further heft even while you’re going at an excellent clip. When the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s load up in corners, it is as if every unit of mechanical grip (the usual unit for that is “Bibendums,” or it must be) comes by way of the wheel, a lot with the intention to inform if the highway stripers used Benjamin Moore or Sherwin-Williams.

Each automotive fanatic ought to expertise a contemporary Porsche GT automotive—we gush over them for good purpose. Porsche says that is the final new 718 mannequin with an internal-combustion engine, and we predict these GT vehicles will go down in historical past because the excessive level earlier than electrification drains enjoyable from the fleet. And with its on-road focus, the Spyder RS additional distinguishes itself in a area of RS track-day specials.

Govt Editor

Okay.C. Colwell is Automotive and Driver’s government editor, who covers new vehicles and expertise with a eager eye for automotive nonsense and with what he considers to be nice automotive sense, which is a humblebrag. On his first day at C/D in 2004, he was given the keys to a Porsche 911 by somebody who did not even know if he had a driver’s license. He additionally is without doubt one of the drivers who set quick laps at C/D‘s annual Lightning Lap monitor take a look at.