Porsche 718 Review

In Malaysia's current sports car market, the 2.0T four-cylinder engine has become mainstream, but many enthusiasts still miss the linear output of naturally aspirated engines. The launch of the 2019 Porsche 718 Spyder perfectly fills this void—it is equipped with a 4.0-liter naturally aspirated flat six-cylinder engine, making it one of the few pure naturally aspirated convertible sports cars in its price range. In this test drive, we focus on evaluating its power response, handling limits, and practicality as a daily commute vehicle to see if it can balance driving pleasure and everyday usability.

From an exterior perspective, the 718 Spyder's design reflects Porsche's family characteristics while showcasing a unique sense of sportiness. The front end retains the trapezoidal air intake grille of the 718 series, but the air vents on both sides below are larger, paired with blackened LED headlights for stronger visual impact. On the side, the most striking feature is the removable soft-top convertible structure, which can be fully folded and stored above the trunk without affecting the smoothness of the overall lines. The front and rear wheel arches slightly extend outward, coupled with 20-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, further enhancing the wide-body effect. At the rear, the centrally positioned single circular exhaust is a signature design of naturally aspirated models. The diffuser below is made of black plastic, while the tail lights continue the through-type LED light strip, offering high recognition when lit at night.

Sitting inside the car, the interior layout is driver-centric, featuring Porsche’s typical sporty style. The center console is wrapped in extensive Alcantara material, paired with carbon fiber panels, delivering both texture and a sporty vibe. A 10.9-inch touchscreen serves as the core of the infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Its operation is smooth and response speed is commendable. Physical buttons remain below the screen, facilitating blind operation while driving. The seats are ergonomically designed sports bucket seats with electric adjustments, offering strong wrap-around support for the waist and legs, ensuring comfort even during long drives. Standard features include keyless entry, automatic air conditioning, and a reversing camera, meeting daily usage needs.

In terms of space, the 718 Spyder has body dimensions of 4379mm×1801mm×1276mm, with a wheelbase of 2475mm. The front row offers abundant space, allowing a 180cm tall passenger to sit comfortably with adequate headroom and legroom. The rear seats, in reality, are small storage areas suitable only for personal belongings and not for seating. Regarding storage capacity, the front trunk can hold approximately 150L, sufficient for a carry-on suitcase. The rear trunk has a smaller volume when the convertible top is open, but when closed, it can hold a backpack. It suffices for daily commutes, but for long trips, additional luggage solutions might be necessary. There's also thoughtful attention to details, such as two cup holders designed behind the seats and a center armrest box in the front row, which is large enough to fit a phone and wallet.

Dynamic driving is the highlight of the 718 Spyder. The 4.0-liter naturally aspirated six-cylinder engine generates a maximum power of 309kW (420PS) and a maximum torque of 420N·m. It is paired with a 6-speed manual transmission (or an optional 7-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission). Pressing the accelerator, the engine provides most of its torque at 2000 rpm. The increase in engine speed is linear and swift. Even at 6000 rpm, the power remains abundant up to the redline zone at 7800 rpm. This steady power delivery without turbo lag is precisely the charm of a naturally aspirated engine. During a takeoff, as long as the clutch and throttle are well-controlled, the car can start smoothly. During acceleration, pressing the throttle deeply exhilarates as the engine's roar transitions from a deep rumble to a high-pitched crescendo. Especially above 3000 rpm, the resonance of the exhaust note becomes significantly intense, delivering an exhilarating driving thrill.

In terms of handling, the 718 Spyder offers extremely high steering precision, with almost no play in the steering wheel. The feedback force is even and tactile when turning, clearly conveying road information. The suspension system adopts a front MacPherson and rear multi-link structure, which is tuned on the stiffer side. However, it provides excellent support during cornering with minimal body roll and high limits. On bumpy roads, the suspension quickly absorbs minor vibrations, while larger potholes provide noticeable feedback but do not compromise comfort. During our test on mountain roads, the vehicle showed quick cornering response, good rear-end followability, and high-speed cornering stability that inspires confidence.

In the performance tests, fuel consumption was average, about 12L/100km when driving on urban roads and about 8L/100km on highways, which is in line with the level of large naturally aspirated engines. In terms of braking performance, the front and rear ventilated disc brakes combined with Porsche's optional PCCB carbon-ceramic braking system deliver short braking distances with no significant fade even under continuous braking. On comfort, with the soft-top convertible closed, cabin noise is well-controlled, and both wind and tire noise are within acceptable limits during high-speed driving. When the convertible top is open, wind noise increases noticeably, but this is a normal characteristic of convertibles. The seats offer excellent wrapping and support, making long-distance driving comfortable without fatigue.

In summary, the core strengths of the 2019 718 Spyder are its 4.0L naturally aspirated engine delivering linear power output, precise handling, and the joy brought by the detachable soft-top convertible. Compared to its competitors, the BMW Z4 M40i and Mercedes SLC 43 AMG, the naturally aspirated engine of the 718 Spyder is the biggest highlight. Its handling limits are also higher, along with superior configurations and overall quality. It is ideal for those who not only pursue driving pleasure but also occasionally need it as a daily commuting tool—you can enjoy thrilling drives on mountain roads during weekends and use it for commuting on weekdays. If you are a sports car enthusiast nostalgic for naturally aspirated engines and enjoy the convertible driving experience, the 718 Spyder is definitely worth considering.