Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS 2024: Porsche's Newest Worst Mistake

Does the perfect car exist? If I had been asked this question a few weeks ago, my answer would have been a definite no. However, you will understand that I have changed my opinion on the matter since Porsche unveiled the 718 Boxster Spyder RS 2024.

The Porsche 911 is considered one of the greatest sports cars of all time, and for good reason. With almost 60 years of existence and a plethora of variations since its creation, the German powerhouse has built a solid reputation in the automotive community, which the manufacturer has managed to maintain from the very beginning, or almost.

You see, when Porsche introduced the Boxster in 1996, many thought it was the end for the 911. Lighter and better balanced, the new sports car from the German manufacturer quickly established itself as a serious performance vehicle. Porsche has always been careful not to develop it too much mechanically, so as to maintain a certain hierarchy with the 911.

The Boxster continued to thrive over the years, to the point where Porsche eventually added "718" to its name, a number lower than 911 if you catch my drift. Brand representatives will tell you it was chosen to celebrate a past model, but the fact is that Porsche wanted to reiterate the role of its entry-level sports car. Ultimately, I believe the German manufacturer has overcome the fear that the 718 would overshadow the 911, especially now that we know the next generation will likely be electrified. Thus, Porsche decided to offer us the ultimate 718 Boxster, the one that should have existed from the very beginning, before it was too late.

Perfection in terms of technology

Let's start with some figures, as they define a car's position in Porsche's lineup. The 718 Spyder RS is powered by a 4.0-liter H6 engine that produces 493 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. This engine, which can rev up to 9,000 rpm, is paired with an 8-speed PDK gearbox that channels all the power to the rear wheels.

The Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS 2024 is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 3.2 seconds, which is faster than 20 out of the 25 variations of the Porsche 911, just to give you an idea of the capabilities of this new 718. Well, that's in a straight line, but I dare to believe that the little sports car from the German manufacturer can outperform at least 23 out of the 25 variations of the 911 on the track. In short, that's why I say that the Porsche 718 Boxster Spyder RS 2024 is Porsche's newest worst mistake.

Beautiful and expensive!

Porsche has gone all out with the 718 Boxster Spyder RS. It features a more aggressive body than ever before, and there's even an optional Weissach package that adds an incredible amount of carbon fiber. The interior is both rudimentary and refined. It's literally a cross between a luxury car and a race car. The 718 Boxster Spyder RS also benefits from numerous technical improvements. Porsche has made monumental efforts to reduce weight in every possible way. Take its roof, for example—it weighs 36 pounds less than that of the regular 718 Boxster.

Of course, all this comes at a price, and we're talking about $188,800 before options for the 718 Boxster Spyder RS 2024. However, that won't stop the waiting list from quickly extending to several years.

Jean-Sébastien Poudrier

Other vehicles of Porsche