Porsche is not made with internal combustion engines, the latest novel boasts a 500 hp environment.

Porsche is far from finished with internal combustion engines, the latest invention is compatible with 500 hp.

Some talk about saying goodbye to the internal combustion engine, but this is not the case. Electric power is not even offered for the classic 911, and the more modern 718 will remain sold with internal combustion engines. Only models like the Spyder RS ​​will have an electric sibling.

More than fifteen years ago, I was one of the first Europeans to get behind the wheel of a Tesla Roadster. At first I was seduced by his transformation and his almost inaudible speech. But very quickly, alcoholism gave way to despair. In fact, the absence of sound from its own power made the noise of other vehicles louder. And the car itself became uninteresting, as I just missed the sound of the combustion engine, which improves the driving experience, whether or not.

That’s why I don’t understand Porsche’s efforts to replace the hot-engined Boxster and Cayman with an electric successor. It is true that these two models do not sell in large quantities (18,203 units last year, the lowest number of any model of the brand), but on the other hand, they are not cars that remain in collections. On the contrary, their owners make full use of them. And considering that many of them pay extra for a button that increases the exhaust volume, it is clear that the right sound is only for these machines.

But this is exactly what Porsche intends to deny its fans. For the brand from Zuffenhausen that might be a step too far, however, the Taycan isn’t a bestseller either. Last year, it sold only 34,801 copies, 16% less than the previous year. In contrast, 911 saw 40,410 registrations, a 5% year-over-year increase. In addition, the electric motor is perfect for the Taycan, which is above the fast GT. The Cayman, meanwhile, should be at home on the road and on the circuit. There, for once, he will be restricted by very little freedom in driving fast, a few tens of kilometers being the maximum.

So we’re very curious to see how the electric successor of the aforementioned duo turns out. However, we won’t know the answers until 2025, when the car is expected to enter service. Moreover, it will not be a successor in the true sense of the word, since Porsche has already opened the door and said that the combustion duo will remain sold with the battery variant for a long time to come. But as the European Union must rethink its intentions regarding the electric revolution in 2026, it is possible that we will see the return of common sense in Brussels and Zuffenhausen.

But let’s put the future aside and focus on the present. Because the brand has launched a new version of the 718 Spyder RS, the most powerful in the history of Boxsters and Caymans. It is powered by a six-cylinder air from the 911 GT3, a four-liter engine that develops 500 bhp and 450 Nm. With this power directed to the rear wheels, the car can reach 60 km / h in 3.4 seconds and 200 km. /hh in 10.9 seconds . Top speed then goes from 300mph to 308km/h.

The absence of a manual gearbox in the range is obviously disappointing, but an engine capable of going up to 9000 rpm may be enough to attract a conservative customer. So is the weight, which has been reduced to 1,410 kg. The Spyder RS ​​​​​​​​​​​is even five kilograms lighter than the Cayman GT4 RS. This is due, among other things, to the manually operated canvas roof, consisting of two parts that can be “placed” in the luggage compartment without any problems. It weighs only 18.3 kg, which is 16.5 kg less than the Porsche Boxster.

The manufacturer also looked at the chassis, as well as the exterior. So, we have a more aggressive front bumper or NACA air intakes on the front hood. At the rear, the Cayman’s characteristic wing has disappeared in favor of the famous “ducktail”. We can also mention the 20-inch forged rims, as well as the possibility to adjust the controls or the direction of the wheels and chassis. The latter has also been reduced by 30 millimeters. However, the characteristics of the springs and shock absorbers have also been changed.

If the standard equipment is not enough for you, you can choose the RS Weissach package. This includes, among other things, a titanium exhaust that replaces the lightweight base exhaust. However, you also get more carbon fiber, along with the Gurney mudguard adorning the aforementioned spoiler. Then there is a unique watch, whose rotor was inspired by the design of the 20s forging. The strap is made of the same leather as the inner lining, and of course it is possible to choose the color.

The novel will be presented in June in Zuffenhausen, during the 75th anniversary of the start of car manufacturing in this city. Soon, the 718 Spyder RS ​​will make its way to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Customers can start ordering now, however, with the car costing 155,575 euros (about 3,640,000 Czech crowns) in Germany. This amount is the same as the Cayman GT4 RS, which costs CZK 4,113,864 in Germany.

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