The name Porsche almost always leads people to the 911. A very capable and complete sports car that’s synonymous with the brand. However, Porsche has been diversifying its portfolio for the past couple of decades and we got to experience the Cayenne, Panamera, and a baby 911, the Cayman.
While the Cayman was deemed an entry-level Porsche which at one point was designated to the Porsche 914, it packed a lot more. Porsche execs even admitted to not pushing the Cayman to its full potential as it might cannibalize the sales of the 911. Along with the Cayman, Porsche introduced a convertible- the Boxster.
Over the years, the Cayman and Boxster duo has ramped up quite a lot in terms of sales. With its success, Porsche introduced the Cayman GT4 and most recently the 718 Boxster Spyder. The 718 generation was criticized for its muted 4-cylinder that robbed the sports car experience.
Porsche has addressed the issue by bringing in a naturally aspirated flat-six. With the option of a manual transmission and an open-top experience, the 718 Spyder qualifies as the most fun Porsche ever.
What Powers the 718 Spyder
The Boxster 718 Spyder is a Cayman GT4 underneath. It gets all that is good with the GT4 with the added drama of not having a roof. The engine in question is a 4.0-liter flat-six taken off of the Carrera. While the Carrera is turbocharged, Porsche’s GT division decided to bin the idea of forced induction and went the proper route. Power is rated at 414 horsepower and 309 lb-ft of torque. The powertrain is mated to a 7-speed PDK or a 6-speed manual as a no-cost option. However, the gearing in the manual box is taller and could be a problem whilst cruising in town. That aside, the Porsche 718 Spyder manages to hit 60 mph in under 4.5 seconds. The exhaust note albeit being in line with the stringent emission laws is much better than the 4 cylinder Boxster.
Visual changes include a slightly lower stance and revised bumper designs both front and rear. Air intakes remain functional as is the norm with Porsche and aside from the fabric roof housed inside the double-bubble cover, things look similar to the 718 Boxster. The double bubble design reminds us of the 911 Speedster, which pays off as a unique styling cue. Things inside remain unchanged with the exception of a few seat options that in terms of costs fall in the ballpark of the more expensive 911.
How Is the Driving Experience in the 718 Spyder
As with any Porsche, driving the 718 Spyder is always a good feeling. Porsche usually nails the driving position and the overall ergonomics inside the cabin is spot on. Everything you want to see is right there in front and overall visibility is appreciable regardless of whether it’s the GT4 or the Spyder. As mentioned, Porsche offers a lot of seating options of which we recommend buyers opt for the folding buckets which are comfortable whilst offering a bit of practicality unlike the fixed 918 buckets. Infotainment is taken care of with Apple CarPlay and comes with a decent hi-fi.
Because the 718 Spyder has the underpinnings of the Cayman GT4, the driving experience is the best of any sports car to date. You get very precise steering with ample amounts of feedback. Placing the car is as easy as spreading butter on a slice of bread. Although the car is underpowered when compared to its fellow German rivals, we reckon the 718 or GT4 for that matter would decimate its adversaries on a closed course. Part of its brilliant handling is the adaptable dampers offered as standard fitment.
It’s Not All Sunshine And Rainbows
As much as the 718 Spyder is a phenomenal machine, it has a few shortcomings as well. For starters, the roof mechanism is not the easiest or most intuitive when it comes to its operation. Further adding to the matter is the double-bubble roof cover which isn’t the best solution on a windy day. The struts which hold the cover start to wobble when upright. You even have to go through with opening the cover to access the trunk, which again will stress the struts that could end up being an expensive fix.
Another shortfall to the 718 Spyder is its exhaust note. Although it is far better than the 718 Boxster, it doesn’t scream as a flat-six should because of the added particulate filters for emissions compliance. The gearing on the 6-speed manual is set tall which can be a problem when it comes to pootling around town. The long throws rob the feeling of rowing gears with intent. On a tool like the 718, Porsche should have given it the transmission from the GT3. All these are minor issues that are brought in for the sake of the argument. Overall, the 718 Spyder is a brilliant package for its near $100,000 asking price.