Porsche Spyder RS review - ultimate thrill car!

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Meet the Porsche 718 Spyder RS!
Mat’s got his hands on this glorious Porsche and he’s about to find out if it’s the ultimate car on sale from Porsche’s GT division!
So for starters, let’s take a look at how this car differs from the standard Boxster that it’s based on. Up top it comes with a more aggressive bumper, a big front splitter and a carbon fibre bonnet. The car we have here also has the Weissach pack fitted to it, so it comes with loads of exposed carbon across the car. Head around to the back and you’ll find the traditional Porsche GT exhaust layout, as well as a fixed ducktail spoiler. Let’s face it, it looks fantastic!
Head inside and you’ll find a pair of carbon fibre bucket seats, some fabric door handles, and Alcantara on the steering wheel and gear stick. The centre console and dash design is traditional Porsche, however the Weissach pack brings a few more differences to the standard car, including more exposed carbon throughout the cabin and Alcantara across the upper dash.
The Spyder RS is powered by the same glorious motorsport-derived 4-litre naturally-aspirated flat-six as you’ll find in the GT4 RS, 911 GT3 & GT3 RS. It sounds absolutely incredible, and it puts down 500hp and 450Nm. This power is sent to the rear wheels only via a 7-speed PDK automatic gearbox. It’s absolutely epic!!
The car starts from £123,000, although the version we have here, with the Weissach pack and a few other additions, will set you back around £138,000. So what do you think - is it worth it? And is it the best car from Porsche’s GT division? You’ll need to stick with Mat and see for yourself!
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:18 Engine
00:59 0-60mph
01:20 Chassis
03:36 Daily Driving
06:35 Roof
11:14 Country Road Driving
13:31 Design
16:38 Interior
17:32 5 Annoying Things
1938 5 Cool Things
21:12 Verdict

[@carwow]

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[@jacobrev6567]

Ok 👍👍👍

[@ritchiemundia9133]

Whats the price of the car???

[@anderstermansen130]

top prouncing porsche as "porsche" when porsche clearly is pronounced PORSCHE.

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@ritchiemundia9133718 Spyder RS i think gonna be around $68.400.

[@joel17son]

M8 you didn't say and what it is a little bit like!? 😐

[@Stadpad]

taking the roof off takes longer than a lap at the ring 😹

[@purwantiallan5089]

Yep. Needed 25mins.😂

[@Sideways_Singh]

It was his first time lmfao now that u know it would take like 1 minute

[@davesenatus5566]

@@Sideways_Singhno it wouldn’t take 1 minute lol. It would still take at least 3 minutes considering you also have to fold the things. Imagine if it’s raining 😂.

[@-Lucky-Six-]

@@davesenatus5566i mean, if you putting the roof down when its raining theres other issues

[@Sideways_Singh]

@@davesenatus5566 if ur autistic 3 mins sounds about right. Ur not folding a tent, its literally 1 fold lmao. Its a 1 min job aint any normal person taking 3 mins doing that.

[@jansefran1752]

Putting this roof in "boot" is one thing ... Put it up again is something totally different.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Can the 718 Spyder RS do an engine swap like Mazda 3?

[@isacb8918]

Dude how did you get that emote?🤣🤣

[@genichiroashina6372]

How did you get the emoji?

[@patatr4943]

@@genichiroashina6372bro is on a Nokia 😂

[@dogie61]

Either way that folding systems is dumb AF.

[@georgeb5802]

Really do love the spyder rs but the roof situation looks like a MASSIVE after-thought.

[@CupraRoemu]

It's a Spyder. It's basically not supposed to have a roof.. The roof is only made for emergencies.

[@rayzr1120]

Its meant to be driven without the roof. They just need onee incase it rains

[@Mav86asian]

@@rayzr1120which is very often

[@kabob21]

Yes, Porsche the kings of engineering things down to minute underbody aerodynamics and the weight of door handles just totally forgot about a whole fucking roof.

[@knn3th]

You're missing the whole point of this car. It's a Spyder: it's about looks and performance (i.e. weight saving), not practicallity. If you want practicallity, get a Cayenne.

[@yknows3158]

4:28 you nearly went off roading there buddy

[@rossmaclean2]

He was certainly using all the kerb.

[@shark_eat1r]

I actually started to like this car I'm not gonna lie its beautiful

[@purwantiallan5089]

718 Spyder RS is as light as 1994 McLaren F1.

[@user-my4xu4gf1z]

Really does look and sound amazing

[@RandyOrtonsfather]

It looks more like a cayman than a boxster to me

[@riggs1590]

​@RandyOrtonsfather Might want to go give your eyeballs a wash 😅

[@rayhan4502]

@@purwantiallan5089No, 718 Spyder RS is heavier

[@roberth293]

I wish you would use the specialist timing gear in all of your drag races, because that would offset the horrible reaction times that some of your other drivers have.

[@purwantiallan5089]

Some of them even ended up overshooting the drag race reaction times.

[@durbansouthafrica3044]

They do use it in all of the drag races .. in all the cars .. their bad reaction times might cause them to lose the actual race . But the timing gear only starts recording when they take off .. so the times are still accurate .

[@un6250]

How else do you think they get the timings in those races?

[@mountainbiker9307]

so, by the time you've got the roof down, the sun's gone in and it's started raining again....then you've got to put the bloody thing back up......brilliant 🤣🤣

[@davidridland]

Maybe leave roof down and only drive car on sunny days and always park in the garage🤣

[@kabob21]

Why are you pensioners and plumbers getting pressed over this lmao

[@davidridland]

Because we appreciate when something has been designed and engineered well and this was designed by a 21year old woke with no idea and now we have hurt your feelings i will send you a box of tissues 😂

[@yissibiiyte]

Here's hoping they actually leave the car's name in the title this time

[@voltexxx69]

i think its for attracting viewers or something, but yeah "*car's name* Review" is so much better

[@S_wali]

Isn’t the car name in the title?

[@aleksandarvujicic5319]

​@@S_waliit is but sometimes they change the title

[@Ericomaioral]

@@aleksandarvujicic5319to what?

[@anderstermansen130]

the fact he thinks porsche is pronounced "Porsche"

[@thunderboltcalgary1559]

There's no way it's more complex than the first gen Boxster Spyder

[@riggs1590]

It's the same as the 987 apart from the buttress pulls.

[@kevincRz]

Roof took so long, I got hit with 2 diff ads in the that span lol

[@jakebijoy3565]

Looks like the 918 Spyder, is called the 718 Spyder and is more attainable than the 918. Im sold

[@markrhoden68]

12 seconds my roof is down and I didn't even need to stop. Such a fantastic car but that roof is just nuts

[@connclissmann6514]

Back in the day I had an early SLK Kompressor. Roof was a button push. (Then we had kids...)

[@dzonikg]

I have peugeot and bmw with hard roof ,around 20s on both ,i would never buy car with soft roof

[@kabob21]

It’s for weight savings and aerodynamics

[@markrhoden68]

@kabob21 ye I get it was a weight saving but in the scheme of things I fail to see the benefits in a roadster thats more inclined to be on the public road than a track unlike its hardtop stablemate. I mean how compromised would this cars performance really have been by the installation of small motor for the roof

[@Sp4rkofD4rk]

​@@markrhoden68it's because the car isn't meant to have a roof. The roof is only for emergencys

[@megaollie98]

4:30 almost on the verge haha

[@stevennazar2102]

I saw that too!

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@stevennazar2102i saw it when he turned on the engine of the 718 Spyder RS.

[@MyVVay]

After going in this exact car last week. The induction noise is sublime.

[@purwantiallan5089]

RUF CTR YELLOW BIRD and BR4 also have amazing engine sound.

[@MyVVay]

@@purwantiallan5089 yellow bird is one of my ultimate cars. I’d love to experience one day that turbo noise..

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

Boxter S opening the roof: 11 s, Spyder RS: 13min - just sayin.....does the roof have any use? Yes - to protect against dust over the winter in the garage - otherwise it's useless, I would keep it open anyway at all times. Totally agree with Matts verdict! If you can - buy it! I miss my Boxter S every weekend

[@Jay-xr3sb]

981S, or 981GTS if you want to pay £15k more, or the gts 4.0 if you want to pay more than double. This is for those with money to burn with many cars for all seasons.

[@Jay-xr3sb]

@@coletrickIe you only get an allocation after spending a ton or buying it over list. Its a treat for regular customers, and something nice for us to see, but not accessible. Most will sit gathering dust. But it doesn't matter, the 981S is a bargin to me, still too fast in most cases, but the handling is always there.

[@MrRandomTwat]

What you're saying only makes sense if you have a mental disability and are unable to create new memories. Even so, I'd imagine people like this would have a manual on the seat or something to remember how to take the roof off. It's a maximum 2 minute procedure if doing it alone. The roof is great - can be used without the rear part to let more sound in and on a nice day can be left home completely to save weight.

[@vasil7410]

Porsche are claiming that the roof can be operated at speeds up to 60km/h.

[@kabob21]

@@vasil7410 That’s the standard electric roof on the regular 718 Boxster

[@detaart]

That roof situation is just unacceptable. A miata costs a quarter of this car, is 50ish % lighter and the roof can be raised or lowered in 5 seconds or so.

[@davidkeenan5989]

You're missing the points.

[@yithenntan7875]

Don't compare to to a Mazda. 2 brands are made totally different, with their different purpose and features

[@anttivalkama9724]

Porsche's roof is ridiculously over complicated, Back to the drawing board!

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@yithenntan7875Mazda still a bit more superior compared to Porsche.

[@morepanicboy7120]

​@@purwantiallan5089sure bud

[@robgaskell2391]

In the uk. By the time you've put the roof down, it'll start raining again 😂

[@DeusEx.Machina]

wow, the roof takedown mechanism is so beneath a Porsche, let alone one that costs nearly $150K.

[@jakerawes1077]

it’s supposed to be part of the experience…

[@skully2530]

shitty experience ​@@jakerawes1077

[@MacellaioNero]

The type of people buying these will not be driving with the roof up, ever - and Porsche know that. And, no one is getting one of these for retail price. $150k would be an extreme discount. These will be $200k+ cars, hoovered up by the ultra wealthy as part of their 5+ car garage, driven exclusively on summer days where the risk of rain is 0. Besides, there's no way a folding mechanism would fit in the smaller roof compartment. GT engine, more airflow needed, less space to work with. This is the only configuration this car was ever going to exist in, but like I said, Porsche don't care because the roof is academic to the owners. Rain is a problem for Bob down the road, not for Spyder RS owners.

[@davidkeenan5989]

There for lightness, so not beneath.

[@Flux000]

VS an MX-5 soft top, it's laughable

[@kevindej34]

So nice to hear you also put the roof down the whole year unless it’s raining! 💪🏼 I thought I was the only one 😂 People always be staring at me…

[@wtwyw9]

Mat going at 3500rpm in fifth gear and claiming to be "just" under the limit😂😂

[@mrmawson2438]

10:50 doing all that sh!t in the rain lmfao

[@spenym14]

I’d take this over the GT4 RS any day. I love the 4RS, so much so I’d probably take it over a GT3 from the sound from that carbon airbox alone. However, I’m a convertible guy. This combines the beautiful engine and carbon airbox sound from the GT4 RS but with so roof. It’s pretty close to perfect

[@purwantiallan5089]

GT4RS and Carerra GT are both equally amazing.

[@janechanlder2675]

I hate cabrios

[@otacon5648]

Sod the potential power loss from heat soak. I’d have an open cone filter on that the second I got it. That noise is like a drug.

[@androidunit56]

I thought a spyder meant that the roof was metal and had electronic and mechanical systems to lift and lower the roof on its own

[@gaad]

you tought wrong

[@abovebeyond5309]

in the UK it will be a nightmare dealing with the roof as it rains on and off like mad

[@riggs1590]

It's not. The roof is really easy to use if done in the correct order. Still best to check the weather first though😅. Depending on how far I'm going, I usually just leave the roof in the garage.

[@Christopher-wp8yu]

having this glorious intake so close to your ears, without anything between the 2 is absolutely insane, i love it

[@Joachim_lol]

❤❤❤ Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:18 Engine 00:59 0-60mph 01:20 Chassis 03:36 Daily Driving 06:35 Roof 11:14 Country Road Driving 13:31 Design 16:38 Interior 17:32 5 Annoying Things 1938 5 Cool Things 21:12 Verdict

[@dr-ok3sn]

skip from 2:30 to 3:37

[@Tram-30]

Thanks a bunch!

[@CutTheKam]

real nigga fr

[@asianskywalker]

My honda s2000 sounds better

[@atishhauradhun2091]

I can sell my GT4 rs and buy 20of that shitty honda s2000 😂😂😂

[@asianskywalker]

@@atishhauradhun2091 are you 10 years old by any chance?

[@atishhauradhun2091]

Bro s2000 doesn’t hold value in my country fyi

[@johnbarker2033]

I'd like both, please.

[@TopStrikerMaverick]

Then take that shitbox and leave 😂

[@behwatch]

If it starts raining, you can call for servicing due to water damage instead of putting the roof on.

[@safeflightppg196]

That'll sound at the top end is magnificent.

[@PNVSAG]

All 718 Boxster's and Cayman's the tail lamps will fog up… that’s a known issue and PORSCHE says it’s normal…

[@Shane4Bass]

OMG, that rooftop! Don't forget to take your umbrella!

[@yocommentss]

The Porsche Spyder is actually such a clean and unique car, brilliant video ❤

[@rangiesonvedastie4017]

Who ever made that roof didn't know what he was doing😢

[@cryptnight9168]

Matt defending his GT3RS pick in every porsche video is my favorite part

[@connclissmann6514]

Fun video, thanks. Does it go over road humps?

[@johnnymike5341]

Beautiful car, but the roof had me in laughter. Matt's brilliant humour takes the trophy.

[@colonelccccc]

Thanks for this video, always a pleasure to see you review cars. I love mechanics, I love nice looking cars even if I don't have the means to buy one, I can rent one from time to time but, in modern days 3.62s (or close to this number) can be achieved with a cheaper EV, that's evolution, you lose the soul, the sound, the smell, the mechanical part, but EV's made sports car available to the masses and it's not as bad as it sounds.

[@bodhisattvamukherjee4424]

This is the best car in the road..I mean if you can hear that engine noise anytime..whether you are going for a date or a boring meeting..the before and after experience is worth it..livable and laughable 😂🎉

[@woofywooflez384]

I love the caymans and I wish porsche put even more resources into them. It's a small, light pocket rocket of a midship. I'm so glad they put a full on gt engine into it and I'm especially glad they didn't stop at the gt4rs.

[@Jay-xr3sb]

The 981S has the base 911 engine

[@woofywooflez384]

@@Jay-xr3sbI did not know that, thank you.

[@gpierre90]

Hi Mr. Watson and thank you for the video, It is one hell of a nice car for sure, I love it, but I have a little niggle with it, I feel the roof should be electronically operated, If it rains and you have to put the roof up in a hurry, before you can get it properly up, you will probably be dripping wet.

[@artemis83]

The remove process of the fabric roof is embarrassing and completely unnecessary. And a total deal breaker just for that: on this kind of car the driver need to put the roof on and off many time, depending of the road and the weather.

[@GTOHawg]

I was just about to type the same thing. Deal breaker.

[@peranavansithy5935]

idk i believe this follows the parent companies open roof’s mechanism like the lambo’s. I mean these type of cars are specific to warmer weather, desert type of climates so they would expect you to have the roof on fewer times than its off.

[@quattro4944]

I would never ever again repeat that that process :/ i would be probably so pissed off that i would pick even a scooter 🛴 if I’ve had one next to it in a garage

[@bavariancarenthusiast2722]

If that is a deal breaker for you - you are the wrong customer, it makes part of the charm and makes it so special.

[@GTOHawg]

@@bavariancarenthusiast2722 that doesn’t make it special. I understand your loyalty but that top seems like an afterthought.

[@sooperhooper]

Looks amazing! How much is a major service on it?

[@sageyowns26]

this car sounds sooooo good, I had to replay that 0-60 launch 4 times

[@skywalk3x]

I never, ever liked convertible sports cars. Now you’ve given me another reason.

[@mrmangolele8574]

What about the MX-5?

[@marcolforoso4001]

IMO if a sport car is not convertible, dont make sense: Down with the coupe! Tastes are tastes

[@skywalk3x]

@@marcolforoso4001 added weight and less chassis rigidity is the payoff for wind in your hair. Not to mention the price raised over the hardtop with less performance to boot

[@marcolforoso4001]

@@skywalk3x True but not true!

[@skywalk3x]

@@marcolforoso4001 lol

[@bennie12kaby]

4m 29s, Mat nearly drives up the banking...

[@PuhalyaVimalanathan]

I saw you in your 911 gt3 rs .What a great car up close!

[@AurelSer]

Honestly, it took me a long time to go from 911 to boxsters and caymans. I did not want to hear about anything else than 911, I was this kind of owner. I have no shame admitting I was wrong after 15 years that saw 3 more 911 in the garage. I went for a Cayman R first, and this thing gave me so much more than my 911S. Then I had a gts and then a boxster spyder. I dont think I will go back to the 911, especially when there are Cayman gt4 rs available on the market.

[@666Counterforce]

4:30 cut the corner and drove over the grass 🤣 Were you on whatsapp again ?!🤣

[@maneykler6502]

Love the content Matt keep up the good work mate. However. My slight issue is the car wow adverts mid video. Would prefer if u kept them till the end mate. As it gets annoying when interested mid video.

[@rmp5s]

Hey...that looks IDENTICAL to what I built on their website's configurator!! Though, mine had 3 pedals. Looks SO good, though!!!

[@costasgeorgiou5015]

Lucky it wasn't raining. 🤣 10:23

[@ryanfrisby7389]

Excellent video Mat!😸

[@vasilisconstantinides4476]

That Porsche 4L flat 6 is an absolute peach of an engine

[@vasil7410]

I understand the roof can be operated at speeds up to 60km/h.

[@kabob21]

That’s the regular Boxster’s electrically operated top

[@vasil7410]

@@kabob21 I was being sarcastic.

[@arjunvpillai678]

Congratulations on the 9M mark 👏. Well done Carwow team 🎉

[@phillsmith9255]

It's weird how recently so many uk motoring yt channels have started using the same test drive route that Harry Metcalfe (Harry's Garage) has been using for the last 10+ years, they must all be bumping into eachother.

[@mwar99]

All the comments about the roof being a deal breaker, then this car is obviously not for you. I am going to enjoy taking the roof on and off because I will have a spectacular car in my garage. And the description about the Weissach package adding exposed carbon fiber in the cabin - that is incorrect, the non-weissach has the same carbon fiber trim in the cabin. I hope more reviews get posted soon so I can watch them while I wait for my delivery in April.

[@Mario-lj7gm]

The people who own the Spyder or Spyder RS don't care too much about the roof. The regular Spyder's roof can be done in about 10 seconds yet some reviewers and commenters make it sound like it's a deal breaker. The RS is more of a pain but if you owned one of these cars, you wouldn't complain.

[@gabrielbarcellos1036]

Donos de SP1,SP2,Elva,V12 Speedster não tem nem teto, tem que usar guarda chuva 😂

[@drpitchforrescue8214]

Fantastic car no dought. Just think that the price tag of 138 grand is a bit steep for a boxter spyder. Nevertheless a masterpiece that car

[@camhyde9701]

Fogged rear lights would fail an MoT test here

[@ryanhowza2376]

I don't care if anyone else has said it but congrats on the 9 Million subs what an achievement 🙌

[@xavierclan2110]

"Once again thats a STIICKKEEEEEEEEEEEER"😂❤

[@MW-uy3np]

For a proper chassis, Just get DSC sport for your 4RS like I did

[@Powersproductions130]

@carwow “ball jointed suspension components” is metal on metal suspension joints instead of the normal rubber bushings.

[@mothusiraseroka1808]

It irks me how illiterate they are when it comes to the technical engineering of cars.

[@edmonddantes587]

@@mothusiraseroka1808 why? They're reviewers, not engineers

[@mothusiraseroka1808]

It irks me because im not a reviewer and im not an engineer but i know what that is. In my job when someone asks me whats this im expected to know it. I expect them to educate us on it. Like theyre educating us on the rest of the car​@edmonddantes587

[@edmonddantes587]

okay big lad. Have a good weekend @@mothusiraseroka1808

[@AC130Online]

No Digital dash? 🤔 And A Hand-Foldable droptop in 2024 for 90k+? is Crazyyyy

[@davidd7175]

Top is bc it’s a spyder. Many car enthusiasts prefer analog tach, assuming that’s whats being referred to by “dash”. I’d rather have analog vs a computer monitor going across my dash. Cars like this are to be appreciated for the mechanical engineering that goes into it, not tech., so yea 90+k. So many people now want a computer on wheels, full of tech, and loaded with more than needed or even used (like default apps on a phone/computer)

[@jammyhere123]

Confused as to why it was compared to the Boxster 4.0 instead of the normal existing Spyder?

[@mkcello33]

The roof seems more like a tent…

[@knn3th]

Lol! Seeing Mat fannying about with that roof, my first reaction: READ The F***ING MANUAL! 😉

[@omnicognatesnr5947]

The front and rear lights on my Gen 3 Macan S also mist up all the time.

[@paulmason865]

How does the steering feel compared to say a Clio RS?

[@wesammansour1486]

Congratulations Carwow for 9 mil subs!!👏👏👏👏

[@HarshSharma-dq9uq]

Imagine the roof is down suddenly no where rain stated what will be the reaction of the owner 😂😂

[@GKChan]

The roof mechanism look a lot different compared to the standard spyder I've tried the standard 718 Spyder roof and it's much simpler probably because of the redesign of the intake system

[@purwantiallan5089]

It also took on quite a radical approach compared to F40.

[@keysersoze2313]

The roof isn't the selling point of the car though.....

[@rayhan4502]

@@purwantiallan5089 It doesnt tho

[@rayzr1120]

I think with practice the roof would take around 1-2 minutes. Obviously isnt as fast or easy as an automatic one but not too bad for what it is

[@ClubBlau]

How long did it take to put the roof back on with 3 people?

[@peterreece6547]

Having watched that rag top removal me thinks I’ll stick with my slow MX5 nd.

[@oxii99]

stunning car

[@ezzbrown]

Ita also a 911 underneath, other than the rear sub-frame.. ;)

[@floramaira5751]

Will the soft top get ruined when it rains?

[@RAGNAAAA]

This car looks sick!!! Mini 918!

[@jonosono]

That roof is a disaster. There's no ducking way your grandpa is going to be able to handle it.

[@mrnicktoyou]

I owned a convertible once (a Honda S2000) and unlike Mat, I actually drove it with the roof up all the time. That's what made me realise that I prefer coupes.

[@AledPritchard]

Please do a review a day! I’m addicted to this channel 😂❤

[@villaman4818]

Should of asked Mr. Roper for one of his jackets as well mate 😉

[@kartikeytapiawala2989]

They should just offer a hardtop for this car, with the same clipping points! Hopefully somebody will make it! Maybe add a roof scoop while you're at it and direct it towards the two side air intakes for the people that want it. This way you can always keep the softtop in the car as back up for the day you feel like taking off the roof and then it decides to rain :D

[@karlx19]

So everyone’s using Harry’s route now 😉

[@davidmillion9811]

Not sure why the comparision being oft referenced is a standard boxster rather than the boxster Spyder.

[@clubsobri]

It's a beauty. Looks great in that spec.

[@balakrishnang7579]

Astonishing bumper

[@driftslide8848]

Nice bit of off roading Matt !

[@fediamuzy9749]

When he started trying to peel the Porsche logo. Bet the owner loved that 😂

[@LonnieHutchinson90]

That thing is beautiful!

[@dabigbaby7193]

did you get all that? PERFECT

[@DonLee1980]

holy crap. This is the one to collect. Not the gt4rs.

[@noximfn2589]

6500 rpm launch control is crazy

[@marklewin541]

And yet even a 2004 Audi A4 convertible does it all itself in about 30 seconds. How technology has progressed

[@macleanupdates3494]

Driving with the roof down all of a sudden comes the rain😂😂😂 things gonna be messy