The Spyder nameplate harks back to the 1950s when Porsche both campaigned and sold the 550 Spyder for various motorsport activities. The 550 Spyder is synonymous with James Dean, a Hollywood actor that tragically passed away behind the wheel of a 550 in the 50s, cementing the popularity of the model for generations to come.
The Spyder badge remerged on the 987 Boxster in 2009, sporting a unique roof and rear deck design. Porsche then added the nomenclature to its 918 Spyder hypercar in 2013 and then in 2015, the Boxster Spyder was brought back, this time in 981 guise. Now in 2021, the Spyder is back, this time without the accompanying Boxster badge, but rather, the 718 designation.
Styling
Being based on the 718 range of mid-engine sportscars from Porsche, the Spyder has a similar front-end design as the GT4 Cayman on which it is based, however, Porsche has opted to fit a smaller front splitter. Towards the rear of the car is where were see the most pronounced difference, gone is the massive rear wing from the GT4 and in its place a smaller retractable rear wing along with a gorgeous rear deck that lifts when you put the roof down, which must be done manually.
The roof looks vastly different to the convertible item on the Boxster, mostly because Porsche has removed the electronic mechanism to save weight. The removal of the mechanism means that a five-step procedure must be implemented by the user to retract the roof, which folds neatly into a small storage area, not affecting rear boot space. The result of this roof configuration is a product that looks sleeker than both the Boxster and Cayman, regardless of whether the top is up or down.
Interior and space
Having recently experienced the very latest interior design that Porsche has to offer in the Taycan, the Spyder’s interior did appear to be showing its age a bit, however, some may find how analogue it feels as befitting of this sort of vehicle. The general fit and finish and material quality are exceptional though, as is to be expected at this price point.
The PCM infotainment system is certainly the most disappointing aspect of the interior though, with a lack of Android Auto functionality, a piece of technology that the brand is introducing in the 911 this year. The system still features built-in navigation and Apple CarPlay, though.
Since this has been purpose-built to provide sportscar thrills above all else, the relatively minimalist interior suits the character of the Spyder. From a luggage capacity perspective, there is both a front and rear storage area, offering 150-litres up front and 270-litres at the rear, making this vehicle practical for two people travelling.
Performance and driving impression
The real party piece in the Spyder is not in its slightly fiddly roof, but rather the way that it performs. The mid-mounted 4.0-litre flat-six is carried over from the GT4, producing 309kW and 430Nm of torque, which in our press unit was paired with a 7-speed PDK gearbox that sends the power to the rear wheels. Performance is brisk, to say the least, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h, figures which may be difficult to replicate up at altitude.
The sound on offer is fantastic, however, those after the hard-edged flat-six wail from the likes of the GT3 and GT3 RS will be disappointed by this motor’s aural emissions. The cost of one of the motorsport-derived 4.0-litre motors in the GT3 models would make the Spyder prohibitively expensive, though, so perhaps we should just be grateful that the vehicle does without forced induction in the first place.
The fitment of the PDK gearbox changes the characteristics of the car dramatically, and while the ratios on the PDK are still relatively long, they certainly aren’t as long as in the six-speed manual car, which gives you the ability to break the national speed limit in second gear. While it is certainly more satisfying to change gears yourself in a car such as this, the PDK allows for far quicker sprint times and makes the Spyder more usable on longer trips, or in traffic, making your choice of gearbox entirely dependent on how you intend to use the car.
The Spyder offers near-identical performance and the same kerb weight to its hardtop GT4 sibling, meaning that you can enjoy the glorious sound of the engine and take advantage of infinite headroom while not compromising on dynamics. Since the Spyder is essentially a convertible GT4 without a massive rear wing, it benefits from steering, suspension and braking systems that come from the bigger 911 GT3, endowing this car with grin-inducing qualities like direct steering, excellent mechanical grip aided by the Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres and truly exceptional brakes.
The dynamic attributes combine to form a car that inspires confidence in the driver. You never feel scared or intimidated by the Spyder because there isn’t a lump of torque waiting to be unleashed by a turbocharger. Exploiting the limits of adhesion can be done progressively too, because the steering and chassis are so communicative, allowing the driver to push harder every time. Put simply, this is what a mid-engine sportscar should feel like.
Safety
The entire 718 sportscar range is yet to be crash-tested by an official programme, however, there are 6 airbags, two-piece roll-over protection and side-impact protection which should ensure that the Spyder is at least as safe as the other Porsche models tested by Euro NCAP, which have all achieved 5-Star ratings.
Fuel economy
Porsche claims that the Spyder, in PDK guise, will consume unleaded at a rate of 10.2L/100km, however, with our spirited few days of driving, the vehicle registered 13.7L/100km, for the few who care for consumption in a sportscar. When cruising on the open road, there is also a cylinder deactivation system, which will lower the consumption, a feature that we were not too interested in experiencing.
Pricing
Excluding options, the 718 Spyder in both manual and PDK guise is listed at R1 736 000, which is R68 000 less than its hardtop GT4 sibling, but R226 000 more than the Boxster GTS.
Verdict
The 718 Spyder is a totally unique product within the current automotive market. The drop-dead gorgeous styling, howling naturally aspirated flat-six engine, the option of a manual gearbox and its superb dynamics make it one of the most engaging mid-engine driving experiences that can be bought new in 2021. The trade-off for its beautiful styling and lightweight roof mechanism is the do-it-yourself nature of its roof, which can be a pain if you are in a hurry, or if the weather takes a sudden turn for the worse.
If you can do without the bespoke suspension, brakes and steering fitted to the Spyder, the 718 Boxster GTS will offer a similar experience, but with a more traditional roof. If you have the means to though, the Spyder is sure to be a future classic and a joy to own as you chase that 8 000r/min redline towards the horizon.
