Porsche Boxster Spyder RS review: end of an era for legendary sports car

The final special-edition version of this legendary sports car is expected to become a collector’s item, as the maker heads in a new direction.

Porsche’s final mid-engine petrol sports car lands as a GT3-equipped last hurrah. Here are five things to know about the $335,300 Spyder RS.

This is weapons-grade, engine-screaming topless heaven

The 718 Spyder RS is Porsche’s most powerful ever Boxster, and the last with a petrol engine before electric-only versions arrive next year. Boo.

But it’s going out with a bang. A 911 GT3’s 4.0-litre six-cylinder has been fitted amidships, delivering a crushing 368kW and 450Nm of naturally-aspirated muscle.

It’ll crack 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, but performance is eclipsed by noise. This thing revs to a screaming 9000rpm, while a sports exhaust and the engine’s carbon air inlets over your shoulder make it the most exciting way to pulverise your ear drums.

This Spyder’s closely related to Porsche’s hardtop Cayman GT4 RS, but you enjoy the speed and sensory loveliness while topless.

Just as we’ve reached peak combustion engine, battery power’s replacing it.

The Boxster Spyder RS is best enjoyed with the roof down. Picture: Supplied.

It’s a road car that can race, not a race car for the road

The aforementioned GT4 RS is a track tool par excellence, but a spine-smasher on public roads. This Spyder’s more relevant to street use with suspension spring and damper rates reduced for a more relaxed and softer drive – it’s surprisingly comfy.

But don’t confuse it with a boulevard cruiser. It uses Porsche’s excellent active suspension, while a mechanical rear diff lock, torque vectoring and impossibly grippy Michelin Pilot Sport 2 Cup tyres bring limpet-like hold and control in bends.

It’s hard not to gush over the laser-like steering accuracy and lung-crushing brakes and it feels truly race-honed. If you do track it, a few spanner twists adjust the chassis’ toe, camber and anti-roll bars.

A seven-speed PDK auto proves a zesty cog-swapper, but more fun’s had by controlling paddle shifters behind the suede steering wheel. Punching down gears to maintain high revs keeps the 4.0-litre in angry mode.

The RS cuts a dashing profile. Picture: Supplied.

There are obvious barriers to purchase

Limited supply and high net-worth Porsche buyers ensure “specials” like this aren’t for commoners. You’re “invited” to purchase one.

Clear that entitled hurdle and the bill’s $335,300 before on-roads. Or, on our test car, $401,000 after a comical $65,000 of optional extras.

Standard are a carbon fibre bonnet, fenders, bucket seats and cabin trim; leather and suede coatings, seat heating (if requested), a steering wheel drive-mode selector, 20-inch aluminium wheels, a ducktail spoiler (no giant wing like the GT4 RS), cruise control (not adaptive), Apple CarPlay and a 4.6-inch colour display beside the analog gauges.

Extras? Try $4900 for a front lift kit, $14,690 for ceramic composite brakes, $520 for yellow seat belts, $1240 for carbon floor mats and $22,610 for a Weissach pack bringing lightweight magnesium wheels, titanium tailpipes and a suede dashboard.

The options list is ridiculously long. Picture: Supplied.

It’s best to have staff to remove the roof

We’re used to hard and soft tops rapidly and electrically folding by the touch of a button.

Not here.

The Spyder RS’s soft roof consists of a removable sun sail and weather deflector which fold into a bag.

It’s a faff, requires two people and – ideally – an instructional YouTube video. Putting it back on in a rainstorm would suck the pleasure from convertible ownership.

Well-heeled owners should request the staff to do the heavy lifting (even if the top only totals 18.3kg), and then permanently leave it off. Chance of rain? Take the hard top Porsche instead.

The Boxster Spyder RS is offered only to longstanding Porsche clients. Picture: Supplied.

Quit crying, there are cheaper alternatives

Okay, there are no alternatives with a GT3 engine, but the still dynamically brilliant basic Boxster is yours from $135,100.

Open-top thrills can be found with an $87,000 Ford Mustang or $41,520 Mazda MX-5. After all, you’d prefer an MX-5 on a clear mountain road than a $400,000 Spyder RS stuck in Melbourne traffic.

This topless Porsche is a stunning last hurrah to petrol power; the battery-only Boxster is imminent.

That’ll make this purist RS a collector’s target, soaring in value as soul-stirring, high-revving and deliciously noisy roadsters fade into history. This GT3-armed Spyder will go down as one of the finest.