2020 Porsche 718 Spyder

What’s new?

The 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder is an all-new addition to the Boxster lineup, positioned as the range-topping model. Porsche has dubbed it the "Spyder" to differentiate it from lower trims and to highlight its enhanced performance capabilities. It shares the underpinnings with the 718 Cayman GT4, including the 414-horsepower 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat-six engine, which makes it the fastest in the 718 convertible lineup.

Other notable changes include a lightweight manual fabric top, 20-inch wheels with ultra-high-performance tires, and a GT chassis with Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) that lowers the ride height by 1.18 inches compared to lesser trims. These modifications contribute to the Spyder’s track-focused nature and elevated driving dynamics.

One of the best-looking convertibles in the market

The new 718 Spyder’s exterior design is a masterclass in form following function. Its sleek, muscular body is designed to slice through the air while generating real downforce for improved stability and cornering grip. Compared to the Boxster, the Spyder sits 1.18 inches lower and features several aerodynamic enhancements. Its front fascia is more aggressive, with larger air intakes and a pronounced splitter to reduce lift. Along the sides, air curtains and deep side skirts channel air around the wheels for reduced drag.

At the rear, the Spyder sets itself apart with a unique decklid featuring dynamic streamliners that flow into a functional diffuser. The Spyder is the first 718 model to use an automatically deploying spoiler that combines dynamic streamliners and diffusers to generate up to 50 percent more downforce over the rear axle than the Boxster. As a result, this sports car is more poised at higher speeds and equally aerodynamic.

While the 718 Spyder shares its underpinnings with the hardtop 718 Cayman GT4, some notable differences do exist. The Spyder’s convertible top is the most significant, allowing drivers to enjoy open-top driving. The Spyder also forgoes the GT4’s fixed rear wing in favor of the active spoiler, which some may prefer for a cleaner, sleeker look.

Other exterior highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels wrapped in ultra-high-performance tires, Bi-Xenon headlights with the Porsche Dynamic Light System (PDLS), and a sport exhaust system with dual tailpipes finished in black or silver. Buyers can also opt for the Spyder Classic package, which adds a unique front lip spoiler and rear "streamliners" painted in a contrasting color for sprinkling a sportier touch.

The classic Spyder humps behind the headrests pay a subtle homage to the original 550 Spyder from the late 1950s, while the muscular overall silhouette and sporty bodyworks make the 718 Spyder one of the boldest convertibles in the market.

Purists will love the naturally aspirated flat-six and stick-shift combo

Porsche’s efforts to offer an emotional behind-the-wheel experience are in full display in the new 718 Spyder. This sports car is powered by a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated boxer-six engine mated to a crisp six-speed manual transmission. Outputs are rated at 414 horsepower and 309 pound-feet of twist.

With such outputs churning from the engine, the 718 Spyder comes with a maker-claimed 0-60 mph timing of 4.2 seconds, a quarter-mile timing of 12.4 seconds, and its top speed maxes at 187 mph; fast enough to smoke many sports cars on the highway. However, like most Porsches, the 718 Spyder turns out to be faster in real-life scenarios, as it clocked 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds.

Fuel economy is on the miser side, as you expect from high-performance sports cars, with 16 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway. A 16.9-gallon tank serves up to 388.7 miles of highway range.

While its performance credentials remain impressive, it fails to better the capabilities of rivals. The BMW M4 Convertible, while significantly cheaper, features a 425-horsepower twin-turbo straight-six unit, which is more efficient at 17 and 25 mpg in the city and highway. If you want a naturally aspirated V8, the Corvette Stingray punches its way into the class with a 490-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 to sprint from 0-60 mph in just 2.9 seconds. However, rivals don’t have a manual gearbox, which gives the Spyder a big edge in this area.

Top-class behind-the-wheel experience with advanced underpinnings

The 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder’s handling is nothing short of sublime. Sharing its underpinnings with the track-focused 718 Cayman GT4, the Spyder benefits from a chassis that feels alive and responsive in your hands. The mid-engine layout provides excellent balance, while the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires offer prodigious grip. Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) dampers, lowered by 1.18 inches compared to a standard 718 Boxster, keep the car planted and composed even when pushed to the limit.

Its electromechanical steering column is precise and communicative but as talkative as Porsche’s old hydraulic systems. On winding roads, the 718 Spyder is an absolute joy to drive. The car rotates eagerly into corners, with the limited-slip differential and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV) system working to optimize traction. Body roll is negligible for the sport-tuned adaptive dampers, and the torque vectoring melds with it to boost confidence while taking sharp corners or driving through windy roads.

Deceleration is another great point of this sports car. All four wheels work with 15-inch ventilated discs with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. They provide sufficient slowing potential for daily life and fast cruising. If you’re a high-speed lover looking to test its performance on tracks, the optional PCCB equips the front wheels with 16.1-inch rotors and 15.3-inch rear discs, topped with six- and four-piston calipers. These brakes have a great bite, and once floored, the Spyder takes roughly 99 feet to stop from sixty miles.

Even though the mechanical arsenal is adequate for this car, it misses some crucial chops. While the rear-wheel-drive layout contributes to the Spyder’s engaging dynamics and purity of experience, it may limit the car’s usability in inclement weather conditions, where an all-wheel-drive system with Porsche Traction Management would add extra grip. Unlike the drop-top models of the 911, you don’t get a rear-axle steering system, which significantly improves the overall maneuverability at lower speeds and adds more high-speed stability.

A sporty two-seater interior with premium materials and practical features

Step into the cabin, and you’ll be greeted by an interior that perfectly balances function and luxury. Porsche’s racing heritage is evident in its driver-focused cockpit, where every control is placed for optimal ergonomics and ease of use.

Like the Chevy Corvette, there are only a couple of interior seats, with suede leather seats. A pair of two-way power sports seats with thick bolsters, Alcantara inserts, and embroidered "Spyder" logos on the headrests provide excellent support at high speeds or race tracks. Buyers can opt for 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus at $2,640 for more adjustability and comfort for long trips. Seating room is sufficient for most drivers, but taller folks may fall short of headroom due to the lower roofline.

However, you need to pay $530 for heated seats and $470 for a heated steering wheel, which we expect to see in the standard features. Given that the 718 Spyder takes several measures to be lighter to optimize performance, it’s understandable why Porsche keeps these features as options. Ventilated seats are also available at an extra cost if you want to stay comfortable during the summer. The Spyder Classic Interior Package adds a touch of retro style with two-tone leather upholstery and extended Alcantara trim.

The GT Sport steering wheel feels perfect in your hands, with its Alcantara rim and compact 14.1-inch diameter. A classic Porsche gauge cluster features a large central analog tachometer flanked by a 4.6-inch color display for key vehicle information. The center features a seven-inch touchscreen, but Apple CarPlay is optional at $360. Sadly, there is no Android Auto like most Porsches. Navigation, an MP3/DVD player, and a six-speaker stereo set are included. Audiophiles can fit a 10-speaker Bose Surround audio or a 12-speaker Burmester High-End Surround audio system, but they increase the price.

For storage, the front trunk offers 4.2 cubic-feet of cargo space, followed by additional space behind the front row. Therefore, the 718 is anything but practical. Rivals like the M4 Convertible have a four-seater layout and a 7.8 cubic-feet trunk for more practicality.

Interior feature highlights

• 2-way power sports seats

• Leather/suede upholstery

• 7.0-inch touchscreen with six-speaker audio system

• DVD/VCD player

• Heated front seats - $530

• 18-way Adaptive Sport Seats Plus - $2,640

• Spyder Classic Interior Package - $2,800

• 2-Zone Automatic Climate Control - $770

• Heated Multifunction Steering Wheel - $470

• Carbon fiber interior trim - $790

• Bose Surround Sound System - $990

• Burmester High-End Surround Sound System - $4,690

Warranty

Porsche bundles the 718 Spyder with a four-year or 50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty. A 12-year or unlimited-mile corrosion and perforation warranty is included. Buyers also get a complimentary maintenance perk for one year or 10,000 miles.

Chevrolet includes a five-year or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty in the Corvette Stingray, while BMW offers a three-year or 36,000-mile complimentary maintenance scheme.

Warranty highlights

• Four years or 50,000 miles basic warranty

• Four years or 50,000 miles powertrain warranty

• Four years or 50,000 miles of roadside assistance

• 12 years or unlimited miles perforation and corrosion warranty

• One year or 10,000 miles complimentary maintenance

How does it fare against rivals?

2020 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT Convertible

Starting at $77,950, the 2020 Chevy Corvette Stingray 3LT Convertible is the best alternative to the 718 Spyder. Its 495-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 delivers blistering performance, with a 0-60 time of just 2.9 seconds, making it quicker than the Porsche. While the exterior styling is a matter of preference, the Corvette’s aggressive, angular design contrasts sharply with the Spyder’s more classic sports car proportions.

It boasts a more modern, tech-focused cockpit with a larger infotainment screen and a fully digital instrument cluster. Its retractable hardtop provides better insulation and security than Spyder’s manual soft top. The Stingray also offers 12.6 cubic-feet of cargo space to provide better practicality than rivals. However, it lacks a manual transmission option. While incredibly capable, it doesn’t match the Spyder’s razor-sharp reflexes and intimate connection between driver and machine.

2020 BMW M4 Convertible

With an MSRP beginning at $77,650, the BMW M4 Convertible is the cheapest in the competition. It features a 425-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline-six engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. While slightly more powerful than the Porsche, the M4’s extra weight delivers 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds, two-tenths slower than the Spyder. However, its twin-turbo inline-six is more efficient at 17 and 25 mpg in the city and highway.

The M4’s exterior styling is more aggressive and modern than the Spyder’s, with sharp lines and BMW’s signature kidney grille. Its folding hardtop offers better security and noise insulation but adds weight that impacts performance.

It’s more family-friendly, with 7.8 cubic feet of total cargo space and a four-seater layout. Technology is also a strong point for BMW, as it has a more advanced infotainment system and a wider array of driver assistance features. However, the M4 can’t match the Spyder’s mid-engine balance or the linear power delivery of its naturally aspirated engine. While still an excellent driver’s car, it lacks the pure, focused nature of the Porsche.

Conclusions: A thoroughbred sports car made for the hardcore enthusiast

The all-new 718 Spyder is a thrilling track-focused sports car with an unfiltered driving experience. Its naturally aspirated flat-six engine, precise handling, and open-air freedom make it an enticing choice for enthusiasts. However, its track-focused nature compromises some comfort and practicality compared to the BMW M4 Convertible.

While the Porsche is an excellent track tool, its stiff ride and fewer amenities may become tiresome for daily use. The Corvette offers similar performance with a more compliant suspension and a feature-rich interior at a lower price point. The M4, on the other hand, seats four passengers and offers a more family-friendly interior, making it an all-rounder.

There is no doubt that the 718 Spyder is specially curated for loyalists and enthusiasts. It’s not practical, but the emotional connection arising from the naturally aspirated engine and manual transmission is unmatchable in the sector. Additionally, the material quality stays excellent, and buyers can often brag about brand heritage.

FAQs

How much does the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder cost?

The 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder starts at $96,300, excluding the $1,350 delivery fee, options and markups. This positions it at the top of the 718 range, above the Boxster and Cayman models. Key rivals include the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette 3LT Convertible, which starts at $77,950, and the 2020 BMW M4 Convertible, which costs $77,650.

How powerful is the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder?

The 718 Spyder is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine, producing 414 horsepower at 7,600 rpm and 309 pound-feet of torque from 5,000 to 6,800 rpm. This allows it to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and reach a top track speed of 187 mph. The high-revving engine is derived from the 992-generation 911 Carrera powerplant.

How does the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder compare against rivals?

The 718 Spyder’s $96,300 starting price is higher than the Corvette 3LT Convertible ($77,950) and M4 Convertible ($77,650). The Corvette’s 6.2-liter V8 makes 495 hp, outgunning the Spyder’s 414-horsepower flat-six. The M4’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six produces 425 horsepower, but its higher weight makes it 0.2 seconds slower from 0-60 mph than the Porsche. The Corvette is quicker to 60 mph (2.9 seconds vs. 4.2 seconds), while the M4 offers more luxury and practicality. However, the Spyder’s mid-engine balance and manual gearbox provide an emotional driving experience.

How is the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder different from Boxster models?

The 718 Spyder is the range-topping model in the Boxster lineup. It features a 414-horsepower 4.0-liter flat-six engine, while lesser Boxsters use turbocharged 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter flat-fours with up to 365 horsepower. The Spyder also gets a unique rear decklid with dynamic streamliners, a manually operated lightweight fabric top, 20-inch wheels with ultra-high-performance tires, and a GT chassis with PASM sports suspension that lowers the ride height by 1.18 inches.

Is the 2020 Porsche 718 Spyder good for tracks?

The 718 Spyder is a highly capable track car. It shares its GT chassis with the 718 Cayman GT4, featuring stiffer springs and dampers, a mechanical limited-slip differential, and sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires. The 4.0L flat-six loves to rev, and the precise 6-speed manual gearbox keeps the driver engaged. Powerful brakes and functional aerodynamics round out the Spyder’s track-focused package.