![]() ![]() Let’s assume for the case of this road test that the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder is not going to be your only set of wheels in the garage. ![]() ![]() Together, the big atmo six, manual gearbox and compact and lightweight body combine to produce a package that doesn't just entice corner-carving, but begs you to test the claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.4sec.Īnother time, perhaps. Thanks to that Porsche 911 GT3-sourced front-end, the steering is razor-sharp and the mid-engined chassis anchors the car with an innate balance and poise that makes it far more adjustable in the middle of corners than any rear-engined 911. Weight distribution (44/56%) favours the rear, but you wouldn’t know it. The Porsche 718 Spyder rides 30mm lower to the ground than other Boxsters and aerodynamic changes include a flat underbody see a reduction in lift by 50 per cent – meaning it sticks to the road like never before. The auto-blip throttle function rev-matches (and amplifies) downshifts and is a clear sign that this car (and Porsche) understands its driver’s innate needs. ![]() The sense of connection with the car is undeniable – it feels pure and raw and the 718’s willingness to rev (to 8000rpm) is a joy to behold. Sticking to the speed-limit-regulated tarmac for our test, the Spyder is exhilarating to steer. The short-shifting gearbox is perfection, offering the slightest bit of tension in-hand as you navigate the gates of heaven. These numbers come alive under fire via a six-speed manual gearbox – currently the only option for both the 718 Spyder and Cayman GT4 hard-top, which otherwise share their hard parts. The 309kW/420Nm outputs of the Porsche 718 Spyder's 4.0-litre atmo boxer six might not sound that impressive these days, at least not for close to $200K, but consider this two-seat drop-top weighs just over 1400kg - and that there are no turbos to sap response and limit revs - and you start to get the picture here. I concur and I’ll add a Dua Lipa reference to this eclectic yardstick because the 718 Spyder’s attraction is hard to ignore – let’s get physical. In our international drive review of the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder my colleague Feann Torr referenced IKEA, Mark Webber, Floyd Mayweather, Thor, Captain America, James Dean, Patrick Stewart and used an Angel’s tears analogy to convey the gravitas that comes with driving a vehicle like the 718 Spyder. The best part about the 718 Spyder’s tech interface… it’s simple to use. There are no drive modes to consider, but some other noteworthy buttons: ESC off and ESC+TC off, suspensions modes, exhaust notes, auto throttle blip and spoiler management are your key decision making responsibilities. Rear parking sensors and a reversing camera are very handy, since rear vision is less than average with the cloth soft-top in place. There’s DAB+ digital radio and even a CD player (hello boomers)! Wireless phone charging is great (because charging cables spoil the vibe) and there’s just enough room to place your phone. Using Apple CarPlay with Siri voice recognition caters to most of most people’s media needs. You’ll find a selection of small clearly labelled buttons to compliment a 7.0-inch touch-screen that’s home to infotainment and other in-car information. The Spyder’s centre console draws a fine balance between understated and dated – I can’t decide to which way it leans most. Technology is omnipresent inside the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder – the obvious (so many buttons) and the not so (safety). The lengthy equipment list also features run-of-the mill inclusions like dual-zone climate control, heated multi-function steering wheel finished in Alcantara, the sport chrono package, six-speaker sound system, satellite-navigation, tyre pressure monitoring, anti-theft wheel bolts, Apple CarPlay and don’t forget to check out the Porsche Track Precision App. The 1420kg aluminium and steel composite bodied roadster rides on 20-inch 718 Spyder-specific wheels wrapped by sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, while sexy rear buttresses, bigger front air intakes, a larger diffusers and blackened side scoops and badges punctuate the sleek silhouette. Perhaps even more notably, it features a proper GT chassis, pulling components from the Porsche 911 GT3. Like the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4, the 718 Spyder (which isn't called a Boxster) hits the Australian tarmac with a mid-mounted 4.0-litre flat six delivering a wholesome 309kW of power and 420Nm of torque to the rear wheels, exclusively via a six-speed manual gearbox. It’s nitpicking at its finest, for when you ignite the big-bore naturally-aspirated boxer engine, all is forgiven. Not for anything meaningful, just a fully automated roof mechanism. The 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder is priced from $196,800 (plus ORCs) and yet I’m left wanting. ![]()
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