Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS is a screaming farewell to petrol power

Porsche has given the 718 Boxster the same treatment as the 718 Cayman GT4 RS, slotting in the 4.0-litre flat-six engine from the 911 GT3 RS to create the Boxster Spyder RS.

Set to publicly debut in Zuffenhausen at a celebration for 75 years of Porsche sports cars during June, the Spyder RS is the wildest Boxster we’ve seen yet. It’s also the last new 718 model to feature a petrol engine – what a way to go, right?

It’ll touch down in Australia during the second quarter of 2024, with pricing kicking off at $336,800 before on-road costs.

At the core of the Spyder RS is a 4.0-litre naturally aspirated flat-six engine making 368kW of power and 450Nm of torque. Redline is a sky-high 9000rpm, as is the case in the GT4 RS, and that car’s distinctive shoulder-mounted air intakes have made the transition to the Boxster.

Mated with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the engine propels the Boxster to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds, and from standstill to 200km/h in 10.9 seconds. The transmission has shorter ratios than in the 911 GT3 RS.

No manual is available; Porsche told CarExpert at the launch of the 718 Cayman GT4 RS it just wasn’t possible to package the six-speed manual from the rear-engined 911 in the mid-engined 718.

With paddles behind the steering wheel and a push-for-down, pull-for-up shifter on the transmission tunnel, there are plenty of options for drivers keen to take charge, however.

You’ll be able to distinguish the Spyder RS from the Boxster Spyder by the noise it’s making, along with the more aggressive front bumper and bonnet, striking speedster rear deck, and duck tail spoiler.

As the name would suggest, there’s also a skimpy Spyder roof. There are two parts to it; a weather deflector and the canvas top itself.

Porsche says you’re able to apply the roof without the weather deflector, allowing all the noise from the flat-six engine in without exposing you to harsh sunlight.

It’s a handy 7.6kg lighter than the top on the GT4 Spyder, and 16.5kg lighter than the top on the regular 718 Boxster.

Under the skin, the Spyder RS combines bits from the Cayman GT4 RS and the Boxster Spyder. An adaptive suspension setup is standard, and the car sits 30mm lower than regular car. There’s a torque vectoring rear differential, and the car rides on 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.

Compared to the Cayman, the Boxster Spyder RS has a slightly more relaxed setup.

Inside, a set of carbon-backed bucket seats are standard, as is a steering wheel trimmed in Alcantara with a yellow marker at 12 o’clock.

Red and black seat inserts are designed to add a degree of extra pop to the cabin, and contrast with the available Vanadium Grey Metallic, Arctic Grey, and Shark Blue exterior options. Ruby Star Neo (deep pink) is also on offer.

Drivers who want to live life on the track can also opt for the Weissach Pack which brings a titanium exhaust that borrows its design from the limited-run 935, more carbon, and an anti-glare dashboard trimmed in Alcantara.

In Australia, standard equipment will include:

• Tyre fit set
• Grey tinted windscreen top
• LED headlights with Porsche Dynamic Light System
• Auto-dimming rear-view mirrors
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Cruise control
• Reversing camera and rear parking sensors
• Light design package
• DAB+ digital radio

Seat heating and a Bose surround sound system are available as no-cost options.

MORE: Everything Porsche 718