Wild Spyder GT4 RS finale for petrol Boxster

Lightened Porsche roadster packs 493bhp atmo six, track-honed chassis and hardcore remit

Deliveries start in July; price is likely to exceed £130,000

The new 718 Spyder GT4 RS is a screaming, drop-top swansong for sports car family ahead of its transition to a pure-EV drivetrain in 2025.

The final iteration of the 718-as we know it - is the most powerful derivative of the Boxster since production began in 1995. It takes 493bhp and 332lb ft from the same GT3-based atmo 4.0-litre flat six that powers its hard-top sibling, the five-star 718 Cayman GT4 RS. Redlining at an ear-splitting 9000rpm and sending its reserves through a "lightning-speed" sevenspeed PDK gearbox, it propels the roadster from 0-62mph in just 3.4sec and on to 191mph.

Porsche says the open roof "makes the highly evocative sound of the engine an even more compelling experience", particularly given the fitment of a lightweight stainless steel sports exhaust and new air intakes mounted just next to the headrests.

Below the beltline, the Spyder GT4 RS is visually almost identical to the hottest Cayman, complete with gaping air ducts, aggressive downforce-boosting addenda, carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bonnet and wings, and race-style 20in centre-locking forged alloy wheels.