“Fantastic gasoline Flat 6 engine. Powerful and high-revving engine. Very special and musical exhaust note without electronic enhancements. Very engaging, rewarding and analogue driving experience. Outstanding balance and roadhandling. Available manual transmission. Excellent physical buttons and traditional instrument panel - not digital. Maximum smiles per miles. I will never drive or buy an EV.”
Porsche 718 Spyder: Trims, Generations & Buyer's Guide
Last updated August 4, 2026
The Porsche 718 Spyder is a two-seat, mid-engine convertible sports car known for its naturally aspirated flat-six engine, sharp responses, and driver-focused character. It is the more intense open-air member of Porsche’s 718 family.
The 718 Spyder has always put driving feel ahead of comfort and practicality. Its defining ingredients are a high-revving flat-six engine, rear-wheel drive, a lightweight roof, and chassis tuning developed for quick, balanced responses. The 2024 Spyder RS pushed that idea further with more power, less weight, and an even sharper setup.
Strengths
- The engine delivers its power without turbocharging, giving the Spyder a direct response and a high-revving character.
- Its engine sits behind the seats, helping the car feel balanced and quick to change direction.
- The lightweight roof and two-seat layout keep the experience focused on open-air driving rather than everyday practicality.
- The regular Spyder pairs its 414-hp flat-six with chassis hardware developed alongside the Cayman GT4.
- The Spyder RS raises output to 493 horsepower and adds lighter bodywork and sharper suspension tuning.
Who it's for
It fits an experienced enthusiast who wants an open-air sports car mainly for winding roads and special drives. Buyers should be comfortable trading luggage room, fuel economy, and everyday ease for engine sound, steering feel, and fast responses.
Porsche 718 Spyder lineup
The 2020-2023 718 Spyder is the pick for someone who wants the focused chassis and 414-hp flat-six with a choice of manual or automatic transmission in most of those years. The 2024-2025 Spyder RS is the more extreme version, with 493 horsepower, lighter bodywork, sharper tuning, and an automatic transmission only. Pick the regular Spyder if a manual gearbox and a slightly less intense character matter; step up to the RS when outright response and the most focused open-air 718 experience come first.
Porsche 718 Spyder generations
From 2020 to 2025, the 718 Spyder spans 1 generation. The current 982 Generation arrived for 2020.
982 Generation (2020–2025)
This 718 Spyder generation paired a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six with a lightweight fabric roof and chassis parts developed for Porsche’s GT cars. For 2024, the more focused Spyder RS replaced the regular Spyder with more power, an automatic-only transmission, lighter bodywork, and revised suspension and aerodynamics.
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2025
The Spyder RS carries over with its 493-hp flat-six, 7-speed automatic, and lightweight open-air body. This is the final model year of the gas-powered 718 Spyder RS cycle in the U.S.
2024Trim changes
The Spyder RS replaces the regular 718 Spyder. It adds a 493-hp 4.0-liter flat-six, a 7-speed automatic, lighter bodywork, and RS-specific suspension and aerodynamics.
2023
Wired Apple CarPlay becomes standard. The engine, manual roof, lowered adaptive suspension, and rear-wheel-drive layout carry over.
2022
Carryover year with the same 414-hp flat-six, lightweight manual roof, and GT-developed chassis.
2021
A 7-speed automatic joins the 6-speed manual, and Race-Tex microsuede-style cabin material arrives. The engine, suspension, brakes, and aerodynamics remain unchanged.
2020
The all-new 718 Spyder arrives with a 414-hp naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six, a 6-speed manual, GT-developed suspension, and a lightweight hand-operated fabric roof.
What's new by year
See what changed in a specific model year of the Porsche 718 Spyder.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Porsche 718 Spyder a convertible?
Yes. Every 718 Spyder is a two-seat convertible. The regular 2020–2023 model uses a lightweight, hand-operated fabric roof, while the later RS continues the open-air, weight-focused formula.
Is the Porsche 718 Spyder a hybrid?
No. The 718 Spyder is a gas-powered sports car with a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six. The regular version makes 414 hp, while the later Spyder RS makes 493 hp.
Does the Porsche 718 Spyder have all-wheel drive?
No. The 718 Spyder is rear-wheel drive. Its engine sits behind the seats, and power goes to the rear wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential that helps the car put power down in corners.
What is the Porsche 718 Spyder known for?
It is known for combining open-top driving with a high-revving flat-six and sharp, mid-engine handling. Its lowered suspension, lightweight roof, strong brakes, and direct responses put driving feel ahead of luxury or everyday convenience.
Is the Porsche 718 Spyder practical enough for daily driving?
It can handle daily driving, but practicality is limited. It seats two, has a low and firm performance-focused setup, and the newer RS has just 4.4 cubic feet of cargo room. It suits drivers willing to trade comfort and space for a more involved experience.
Are the regular 718 Spyder and Spyder RS different generations?
Not really. Both belong to the 982-generation 718 family, but they mark two distinct phases. The regular 414-hp Spyder ran from 2020–2023, and the more extreme 493-hp Spyder RS followed for 2024–2025.
Does the Porsche 718 Spyder come with a manual transmission?
Some do. The regular 2020 Spyder came with a six-speed manual, and regular models from 2021–2023 were sold with a manual or seven-speed PDK automatic. The 2024–2025 Spyder RS uses the PDK automatic only.
Porsche 718 Spyder Reviews
What owners are saying about the Porsche 718 Spyder.
4.5
Porsche 718 Spyder
(52 reviews)
“It has met all my expectations, but the muffler sounds are a huge disappointment compared to other sport exhaust models!!!!”
“This is a Porsche Spyder.. if you cannot appreciate the beauty of this work of art.. you don't deserve it.”
“The Porsche Spyder 718 is a drivers car. Its mid-engine design gives the Spyder outstanding agility and it's 414 horse power engine is plenty powerful to make it track worthy. The car is limited addition, which makes it a unique vehicle that gets noticed on the road. This is my 4th Porsche and all have been reliable and maintained their beautiful appearance for my entire ownership.”
“Quality and workmanship is the best you can find on the market for this type car.”
“If you like to drive cars this is an amazing choice. The Spyder has all the correct components. Convertible, engine sound, standard transmission and is an absolute blast to drive. Also, it's not so over the top with power and noise so you can drive it around town.”
Sources
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:1C6E1028 Fc49 4Fa9 B862 59715Fe9Fb1A / 718 Spyder RS Press Kit PCNA
- newsroom.porsche.com — 2023 / Products / 2024 Porsche 718 Spyder RS becomes the pinnacle of open top, mid engine driving 32279
- newsroom.porsche.com — Press Kits / 718 Spyder RS / Interieur und Ausstattung
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / Porsche 718 Spyder Cayman Gt4 Naturally Aspired Engine Mid Engine
- newsroom.porsche.com — en US / Products / 2021 Porsche 718 Boxster Cayman Pdk Gts Spyder Cayman Gt4 22097
- newsroom.porsche.com — 2022 / Products / The Porsche 718 Heads Into 2023 In Style 30220
- newsroom.porsche.com — Press Kits / 718 Spyder Cayman Gt4 / Karosserie Und Innenraum
- newsroom.porsche.com — Press Kits / 718 Spyder Cayman Gt4 / Fahrwerk Und Regelsysteme
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:A6E80E45 D9D7 4Cb8 A43D 16A6Da449E0B / 2020 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder tech specs.pdf
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:9D3Bf006 E826 425E 9E0F Ed340Ac1Dca4 / Press Kit 2020 718 Spyder Cayman GT4
- newsroom.porsche.com — Jcr:2A73C532 E5Ef 456F B068 880D2A3A1399 / 2020 718 Cayman GT4 and 718 Spyder tech specs