Thursday 11th August 2022

718 Boxster Spyder RS testing on the Nordschleife

Nope, those early pics weren't a dream - looks like Porsche really is going to make a 500hp Boxster...

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Good heavens, how about this then? Take one 718 Boxster Spyder - one of the best looking and driving sports cars of recent years - add a GT3 engine, NACA ducts in the bonnet, carbon bucket seats and all the other RS addenda. The result is a spectacular Porsche and, if the rumours are to be believed, a Boxster equivalent to the Cayman GT4 RS. Which might be alright…

Now, we’ve seen this car before, back in May during earlier testing, but with the roof off and car lapping the Nordschleife the excitement is ramped up even further. Not least because it kind of evokes the 991 Speedster, the last Porsche to receive the 9,000rpm, 4.0-litre flat-six. And that was fantastic; now it looks set to go in a smaller, presumably slightly lighter, mid-engined Porsche.

New details not clear earlier in the summer include ‘Weissach RS’ embroidered on the carbon seats, implying this Boxster will be just as focused as its hardtop Cayman sibling. Note also the front wheelarch louvres like a GT3 RS that weren’t there before, perhaps only coming on a Weissach car, and a ducktail spoiler that’s grown again; looks just like the bill from the 911 Sport Classic, actually. And the front splitter looks more aggressive and lower this time around. It’s certainly not the same car in a different location. Not to our squinting eyes, at least.

Our spy sources suggest this Spyder RS will be a 2023 model, complementing the GT4 RS as a valedictory special for the 718 era (and combustion engines in Boxsters and Caymans) as the middle of the decade looms and - gulp - the EV Porsche sports cars arrive. If this Boxster is anything like the Cayman - and everything seen so far suggests that it will - then the petrol cars are going out with one heck of a farewell.

Image credit | S.Baldauf/S.B. Medien

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• Porsche 911 GT3 Touring (992) | PH Video
• 2022 Lotus Emira | PH Review

[Abacus21]

This is last hurrah of the combustion engine. Bring out everything and anything while you still can.

At least this will keep car enjoyment alive a little longer before we are all forced to drive electric.

[Venisonpie]

May as well have an article on the space shuttle replacement, it would be about as relevant

[GreatScott2016]

Hate to say it, but yet another unattainable Porsche product?

[redroadster]

Wow what a treat for open top lovers, just a pity only chosen few can apply.

[JerryF]

GreatScott2016 said:

Hate to say it, but yet another unattainable Porsche product?

I agree, and it would appear that Porsche must have invested in Pistonheads as the majority of stories these days are about their cars!

[Carl_Manchester]

What a grail car this will be.

I have put my letter of intents in at all the usual RS flipper emporiums for 350k!

[gl20]

A convertible RS feels wrong to me but if the days of ICE are coming to an end, then what the hell.

Edited by gl20 on Thursday 11th August 09:57

[SteveStrange]

Who will be the first YouTuber to get on the list for one? Because that's the only place any of us will ever see one.

[daro911]

Seems to be using 987 Spyder side windows! Will the roof still fold like the 718 Spyder

[Kipsrs]

Despite the negativity and yes I’m in the same camp of, it’ll be ridiculously priced and pretty much unobtainable to most, but I have to say this is probably THE mid engined Porsche that everyone has been waiting all these years for. Just such a shame everyone doesn’t get to drive it. I’ve had two Boxsters S’s and both utterly fantastic drives, though I used to think to my self what a machine it would be with a few more horses and a maybe some add-ons! Yet, I also used to think if Porsche did that what would it do to the 911 sales, as in my opinion the Boxster is a, dare I say it, easier sports car to live with and maybe easier to tame on British B roads? (As I say though, that’s just MHO)

[SpeedyGonzalez111]

JerryF said:

GreatScott2016 said:

Hate to say it, but yet another unattainable Porsche product?

I agree, and it would appear that Porsche must have invested in Pistonheads as the majority of stories these days are about their cars!

You can see it is not only on Pistonheads. Look at Evo, even in the "used car deals of the week". We are victims of subliminal marketing. That is why I went brainwashed to my POC to get me on the list when it's open, I believe next month. What a fantastic machine. GT3 engine, open roof and a tunnel. Yes please!

[Jon_S_Rally]

Who cares if most won't be able to buy one. I bet 90% of the people complaining about it being unobtainable wouldn't buy one anyway. With the switch to EVs inevitable, just be grateful that things like this exist, because we'll never see them again.

[Atomista]

OK Porsche will have production limits to capacity, but why limit supply? If this is the last of its kind, it’s not like they will be eating into sales elsewhere. I’m sure margins are great, so why not just go for it till supply is pretty well saited before calling time.

[greggy50]

Atomista said:

OK Porsche will have production limits to capacity, but why limit supply? If this is the last of its kind, it’s not like they will be eating into sales elsewhere. I’m sure margins are great, so why not just go for it till supply is pretty well saited before calling time.

Its probably because they make more money on a standard Cayman loaded with options at £70k than this at £120k or so. Given all the bespoke pieces and the GT3 engine etc it will be a lot more expensive to produce.

They should just sell them at a higher price to put flippers off i.e 225k. They would still go, Porsche would make more money and they might go to people who will actually drive them.

[nismo48]

Jon_S_Rally said:

Who cares if most won't be able to buy one. I bet 90% of the people complaining about it being unobtainable wouldn't buy one anyway. With the switch to EVs inevitable, just be grateful that things like this exist, because we'll never see them again.

This !!

[ChrisCh86]

Can normal punters put an order in the for the GT4 RS yet? (i.e. have all the VIP customers got one yet?)

If not this article is irrelevant.

If I were in the market for such a car, I'd put an order in for the Lotus Evora instead - there is a long waiting list, but you will eventually get a car

[Oakman]

ChrisCh86 said:

Can normal punters put an order in the for the GT4 RS yet? (i.e. have all the VIP customers got one yet?)

If not this article is irrelevant.

If I were in the market for such a car, I'd put an order in for the “Lotus Evora” instead - there is a long waiting list, but you will eventually get a car

Friendly correction Chris

The Evora is no longer in production, I think you meant Emira ?

PS. Do try a late Evora, say a Gt 410 you wouldn’t be disappointed.

[anonymous-user]

ChrisCh86 said:

Can normal punters put an order in the for the GT4 RS yet? (i.e. have all the VIP customers got one yet?)

If not this article is irrelevant.

If I were in the market for such a car, I'd put an order in for the Lotus Evora instead - there is a long waiting list, but you will eventually get a car

Why is it irrelevant?

[Sandpit Steve]

Come on Porsche, let us all buy one of the last hurrahs, keep the line running until there’s no more orders. Pretty please.

[Andy83n]

GreatScott2016 said:

Hate to say it, but yet another unattainable Porsche product?

Just don't be poor and problem solved