One of the defining aspects of the Porsche Boxster Spyder is its naturally aspirated 4.0 six-cylinder boxer engine. In Europe, this variant has been running since 2019, but Porsche is introducing it for the first time in China. However, for the Chinese market, the Boxster Spyder has to give up its two extra cylinders compared to the regular 718 Boxster.
In honor of Porsche’s twentieth anniversary in China, the brand decided to supply the 718 Spyder there as well. The Chinese variant of the Boxster Spyder, however, has the blown 2.0 liter four-cylinder boxer engine from the regular 718 Boxster and Cayman behind the front seats. This step is probably prompted by the fact that in China cars are taxed according to their engine capacity. That power source delivers 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque. Remarkably enough, Porsche does not use the 350 hp version from the S version. The manual gearbox is also missing in the Chinese 718 Spyder: the seven-speed PDK with double clutch is standard. The roadster sprints to 100 km / h in 4.7 seconds, two tenths faster than the 718 Boxster. The top speed is 270 km / h.
Historically justified
In appearance, the Chinese Spyder is identical to the European version. In the interior, the only difference is that the red line of the rev counter is less high. It has a GT sports steering wheel, Sport Chrono package and 14-way electrically adjustable seats on board as standard. A Spyder Classic interior package is available as an option, offering a two-tone interior in burgundy and black. In addition, you also get a two-tone roof in red and black. Historically, the four-cylinder 718 Spyder is actually the most correct. The 550 Spyder and 718 RS of yesteryear also had a four-cylinder boxer engine.