Porsche Boxster

Test drive the new 718 Spyder. What is the sound you are interested in? How is the ride? How is the handling?

How does the ride compare to the GTS4.0?

When I rode the GTS 4.0, I remember being surprised and impressed by how comfortable it was. So I imagined that the Spyder would be a harder, racier setting.

However, when you actually ride it, this is a very comfortable ride.However, it is a little stiffer than the GTS4.0 and has a little more of a knack to it.However, compared to GT3, there is still less swaying and swaying at large inputs.

If anything, the impression is that it is flexible and comfortable enough to be used as a grand touring car. Despite its low ride height, etc.It is a car that can be used well enough for driving around town with a person in the passenger seat.

What about handling and chassis performance?

Unfortunately, it was raining on the day of the race, and since the tires were the factory-installed Dunlop SPORT MAXX Race2 tires, I must first admit that I could only drive cautiously, as rain is never a good time to skip.

Still, the chassis is great. Very stiff and solid.The evolution that surprised me personally the most with the change from the 981 to the 718 was the evolution of its chassis.I remember it having a very solid suspension, but the Spyder has taken it even further and tailored it to have a rigid feel.

It is an evolution that could be described as 718.2.

The chassis that people who say that convertible cars have "rigidity..." are the ones who should be driving this chassis.It is.

When the steering is turned off, there is a very slight "pause" and the gain rises very naturally.Very sporty handling, but not abrupt and you can keep your hands on the steering wheel with ease.is nothing more than a Porsche.

This characteristic, which every Porsche except the 911 has, is one of the great characteristics of Porsche.

The chassis has excellent stability, and although I have not tested it on the highway, I think it is capable enough for cruising at high speeds.

It is not a razor-sharp setup like the GT3, etc., so it is not primarily set up to shave time on the track. Rather, it is not.Setting mainly focused on first-class handling on winding roadsI feel that it is the most powerful suspension on the street. The suspension is truly designed to be the strongest on the street.

Incidentally, this owner later drove my 992 Cabriolet.

Then, in my opinion, "The 992 is sportier, especially the front grounding, yuck!He seemed very excited. Later, I also rode on my own 992, and it is true that the front ground contact and stability is just as good as the 992.

To put it a little wildly, it feels like the Spyder is RR and the 992 is mid-ship, which is the opposite of how it actually feels. Well, about this.The 992 is the newest chassis and the newest year of design.Yes. (However, in terms of the fun of steering your own car, many people would probably find the Spyder more enjoyable.)

Nevertheless.The chassis performance of the Spyder is a bit different from the ordinary 718.It is 30mm lower than the base model, but that is not the essence. I believe that reinforcement and tuning of more invisible parts are responsible for this precise and unmatched handling. First of all, I don't think most people would be dissatisfied with this chassis.

In fact, a few days after this Spyder test drive, I was able to drive another 718 Spyder (right manual transmission with PCCB) on a dry road, so I will also note my impression of it.

Another 718 Spyder that I rode later in the day. It has the rare PCCB.

Basically, the suspension and chassis are set up with an emphasis on street driving, and although it is on the hard side, the ride is very comfortable and has a firmness (core). This firmness is common to all 718s, and while it is comfortable to drive, the car holds its ground in the corners.

Once again, I think.The chassis performance of the 718 is amazing.

Even at a slightly faster pace, it is stable on ordinary roads. If I were to mention a negative aspect, it would be that the suspension is so stable that it stands firm and rolls very little, so you can't help but feel that the car is a bit high.I thought it would be a more enjoyable car if it returned a little more feedback to the driver, like the 'deflection' of the suspension and tires.

The difference with and without PCCB is that in terms of ride comfort, the car still feels flatter at high speeds. And, in terms of ride comfort, theThe touch of the brake is totally different.This is not just my imagination, as we are comparing the same car models at about the same time. I say this with confidence: the PCCB has a harder touch, and the feeling of killing speed with a slight step is breathtaking. The opposite of the G-force acceleration felt when accelerating on the gas pedal is felt when stepping on the brake, which is even enjoyable.

On dry roads, I tried revving the engine to higher RPMs. Although the sound was not as high pitched as the 981 generation, it was loud enough and the RPM extension when approaching the red zone seemed sharper than that of the 981. The 718 has a better feeling in this area.

Sohyo (General Council of Trade Unions of Japan)

I have said before that the GTS 4.0 is more aptly described as an "S+ (plus)" than as a GTS, but now that I have driven the Spyder, I have to say that I am very impressed with the GTS 4.0.If I had to describe this car in one word, I would describe it as a "GTS".

Of course, it's a whole lot harder and more powerful than the regular 718 GTS, but it's also a lot better than the regular 718 GTS.It has enough daily life and comfort to handle the streets as well.The ride quality is similar to that of the GTS equipped with the 991.2 PASM Sport.

Therefore.Those who are looking for a drier cut and a higher threshold might be better off with a GT3 or GT4 or something like that instead of a Spyder.The Spyder's home turf is not the race track. It is a winding road.

In particular, its low inertia, small mass, and low center of gravity due to the lack of a roof will allow the car's true value to be demonstrated in tighter corners.

If you like the sound of a large-displacement engine, drive alone most of the time, and enjoy winding roads more than circuits, this is the car for you. For such people, this is a "must buy" car with little to complain about.

However, if I were to give advice to a prospective buyer, I'd say to go with a tire like the SPORT MAXX Race2 or the Cup 2, rather than the standard circuit-oriented Cup 2 or SPORT MAXX Race2.Free option "20-inch 718 Spyder wheels with summer tires" was selected, and high performance tires for street use such as PZEROIt is better to leave it at that.

That seemed to fit the character of this car better.

The 718 Spyder is a Porsche that aims to be the fastest car on the street and on the winding roads, as well as the most enjoyable car to drive.

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