Extreme Porsche 718 Spyder joins line-up

This is the new Porsche 718 Spyder, a more hardcore version of the popular Boxster that uses the uprated powerplant from the latest Cayman GT4 to deliver even more open-topped thrills.

As with previous Spyders, the new model has a removable roof that has to be stored, instead of a set-up that folds away easily. Porsche says there’s pre-assigned space for the lid under the front bonnet.

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Like the Cayman GT4, the new Spyder gets a 4.0-litre normally aspirated six-cylinder engine - in effect, a development of the turbocharged 3.0-litre unit that features in the latest 992-generation 911. In Spyder form it produces 414bhp, a gain of more than 40bhp over the previous iteration of the Spyder. Peak torque of 420Nm is produced between 5,000rpm and 6,800rpm, and the engine will rev right through to 8,000rpm. Just one transmission is available: a six-speed manual.

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Porsche claims a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds for the Spyder, and while its top speed is slightly lower than the Cayman GT4’s, at 187mph, this still cracks the magic 300kph barrier.

The rest of the Spyder’s package mirrors that of the Cayman, so it gets 30mm lower ride height than a conventional Boxster, aluminium monoblock brakes (with the option of ceramic composite), a mechanical locking rear differential and reprofiled Porsche Stability Management and Porsche Torque Vectoring. The drop-top does without the coupe’s fixed rear wing, though, sticking with a rear spoiler that deploys automatically at 120kph (75mph).

The 718 Spyder is on sale now. It carries a suitably hefty price premium over the four-cylinder Boxster S, because it costs nearly £20,000 more - at £73,405.

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