Last updated August 4, 2026
The Porsche 718 Spyder lineup has two clear identities across these years. The base 718 Spyder is the purist open-top sports car, pairing a naturally aspirated flat-six with a lightweight manual roof and track-focused suspension. The later RS is the more intense branch, with 493 hp, sharper chassis tuning, lighter body hardware, and a 7-speed PDK automatic.
The Base Model trim level is the base 718 Spyder, a focused open-top driver’s car that delivers the regular Spyder formula without the later RS hardware.
Best for: Drivers who want a highly involving open-top Porsche with track-focused handling but do not need the RS model’s extra intensity.
Highlights
The High Performance trim level is the RS, the open-air peak of the 718 family with a more focused, motorsport-influenced character.
Best for: Drivers who prioritize sharper responses, lighter RS hardware, engine sound, and track-oriented performance over comfort-focused extras.
Highlights
Compared with the base 718 Spyder, the RS adds 493 hp, a 7-speed PDK automatic, sharper RS-specific chassis tuning, carbon-fiber body panels, and more assertive aerodynamic hardware.
0 in stock| Feature | Base Model | High Performance |
|---|---|---|
| Includes | base0 in stock | |
| Lineup role | Regular 718 Spyder formula | Open-air RS model |
| Engine | Naturally aspirated flat-six | 493-hp naturally aspirated flat-six |
| Suspension focus | Track-focused adaptive sport setup | Sharper RS-specific adaptive sport setup |
| Body and aero focus | Lightweight body and manual Spyder roof | Carbon hood and fenders; fixed ducktail spoiler |
| Exhaust and intake | Twin-tract sport exhaust | Lightweight stainless exhaust; intakes behind seats |
The used lineup is divided by era rather than a broad same-year trim ladder. There is the regular 718 Spyder from 2020–2023 and the higher-performance 718 Spyder RS from 2024–2025.
No. “Base” simply identifies the regular Spyder rather than the later RS. The 2020–2023 Spyder was already a focused top-level 718 roadster with a 414-hp flat-six, lowered adaptive suspension, and chassis hardware developed for serious driving.
Yes. The regular 718 Spyder covered the 2020–2023 model years. The Spyder RS took its place for 2024–2025 with more power, an automatic-only transmission, lighter RS body parts, and sharper chassis tuning.
The RS is the more extreme version. Compared with the regular 414-hp Spyder, it has 493 hp, a 9,000-rpm redline, a PDK automatic only, RS-specific suspension tuning, lighter carbon-fiber body panels, and more aggressive aerodynamic parts.
They share the same basic idea: a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six. Their outputs differ significantly. The regular 2020–2023 Spyder makes 414 hp, while the 2024–2025 RS makes 493 hp and revs to 9,000 rpm.
The regular Spyder emphasizes driver choice: 2020 models are manual, while 2021–2023 examples may have a six-speed manual or seven-speed PDK automatic. The later Spyder RS comes only with the quick-shifting seven-speed PDK.
Yes, although both use adaptive sport suspension lowered by 30 mm. The RS receives its own sharper tuning to match its extra power, lighter body hardware, and more intense focus.
Look for the RS body details. The later model has a carbon-fiber hood and front fenders, NACA ducts cut into the hood, and a fixed ducktail rear spoiler. These parts give it a more aggressive appearance than the regular Spyder.
Look for a regular 2020–2023 Spyder. The 2020 model uses a six-speed manual, and manual examples remain part of the 2021–2023 lineup alongside the PDK automatic. The 2024–2025 RS is automatic only.
The regular 2020–2023 Spyder is the more logical fit. It is still a firm, track-focused sports car, but the later RS adds more power, sharper tuning, lighter hardware, and an automatic-only setup that pushes the experience further toward intensity.
The 2024–2025 Spyder RS is the one. Its 493-hp engine, 9,000-rpm redline, short-geared PDK, RS-tuned suspension, and lighter carbon-fiber parts make it more focused than the regular Spyder.
It depends on the model year. Wired Apple CarPlay became standard on the regular 718 Spyder for 2023. Earlier examples treated it as optional equipment, so check the individual car before buying.
Yes. Both the regular Spyder and the later RS use a torque-vectoring system with a mechanical rear limited-slip differential. In plain terms, it helps the rear wheels manage power more effectively when accelerating through a corner.