Test drive the new 718 Spyder

It has been a while since the 718 Spyder went on sale, and we have been seeing it around town for a while now. This time, we finally had the opportunity to test drive one.

The 718 Spyder we had the pleasure of test driving this time.Crayon body color with red top and Spider Classic interior package.This is a truly ironclad specification. Personally, I want this design alone. It is really simply cool. Personally, this is my favorite design among the current Porsches.

This time the individual isRight-hand drive model with 6MT, GPF (gasoline particulate filter) is included.It seems to be a specification.

I started the engine and started driving.

The starting sound of the engine is powerful in its own way. The NA 4-liter engine wakes up with a howl of "BOOM! The NA 4-liter engine wakes up with a howl.The sound quality of the idling is very similar to that of the 992.The engine block and other parts seem to be the same, and it seems that the turbo was removed from the 992 engine and the displacement was enlarged to make this engine.

This engine, which produces 420 PS, has the same displacement.The characteristics are as different from the GT3 engine.

It has a very thick torque even in the practical range, and a trapezoidal torque curve that produces 420 Nm of maximum torque at 5,000 to 6,800 rpm in the case of the manual version. (The PDK version has a maximum torque of 430 Nm at 5,500 rpm.)

Therefore, the car is very easy to drive, from starting off to picking up speed.GTS 4.0 Test DriveBut this engine is written to be very easy to drive, and there is nothing at all peaky or unwieldy about its characteristics, just because it is a Spyder.

It really is an engine characteristic that can be practically used on a daily basis.

The feeling of the shift is

Combined with its practical torque characteristic engine, the shift feeling is also excellent.The short-stroke shifter, the same as in the GT3 and GT4, smoothly and smoothly shifts with a flick of the wrist.There is no reluctance at all, and no need to worry that some steps are difficult to enter.

You can choose the desired tier perfectly and stress-free at any time.

This is the same impression I had with the GTS 4.0, and I don't feel like it will stall.Once the clutch is connected and the car starts moving, the driver only needs to apply a slight force to the right foot and the car will smoothly pick up speed.

I later drove my own 981 Boxster GTS to compare, and the ease of starting is completely different: in the 981, after connecting the clutch and starting, it feels like you have to consciously step on the gas pedal, whereas in the 981, after connecting the clutch and starting, it feels like you have to consciously step on the gas pedal.The 718 Spyder and the GTS4.0, for example, give the driver the feeling of being able to drive faster and faster without being so conscious of the accelerator pedal.It is.

Also, when shifting from first to second gear, there is no shifting shock even if the driver is not conscious of gas pedal work. With the 981, this can be done by slightly stepping on the accelerator pedal to shift into 2nd gear without any shocks.

Dense torque and smarter engine control help the driver.The first is the "I" in "I".

I have experienced many manual cars, both domestic and imported, and I think the 718 Spyder and GTS4.0 manuals are among the easiest for beginners to get to grips with, so even those who are not confident with manuals should not worry.

It takes practice, but I think this will be a relatively quick and easy ride.

What is the engine noise that you are interested in?

Now, let's see.If you are concerned about sound, this is the place to be.Yes. I agree. In many cases, reviews on the Internet have not really touched on this point, and I am sure many people would have liked to know the truth.

First, let me conclude.Quite quiet when it starts running.The Spyder is a "one and only" car. When the engine is started, there is a brave sound, but once the clutch is connected and the car starts to run, the Spyder is silent as if it is lying.

What? What's wrong?" The volume became so mild that for a moment I thought, "What's going on?Shifting up through second, third, and fourth gear at a little over 2000 rpm, it is as quiet and loud as a normal sports coupe.

In the case of the Spyder, there's no engine sport or sport plus mode like in the GT3 and other models.The default is a car like the Sport Plus mode.

Therefore, there is no particular mode of change.

On the other hand, when the driver shifts down a gear or two and accelerates, the Spyder's exhaust note changes drastically.

The exhaust and engine sound at that time is very wonderful.

It sounds a lot like a 992, but perhaps because of the larger displacement.It's a little low and bass heavy.Unlike the 4-cylinder model of the 718, it does not have a heartbeat similar to the V8 in the 4-cylinder model, but has the grainy sound of a 6-cylinder. In addition, the bubbling sound is quite minimal and almost non-existent when the gas pedal is turned off.

It is difficult to describe the sound quality in words, so please check Youtube, etc., but here is a list of recent Porsches that I know of, in order of lowest to highest sound quality.

718 (4-cylinder models) > 718 Spyder & GTS4.0 > 992 > 991GT3 low rpm > 981 > 991GT3 high rpm

As for sound, both volume and sound quality are not something to be discussed in terms of good or bad, as each individual has quite different personal preferences. It is only to be used as a reference for choosing a Porsche with the sound quality you prefer.

Incidentally, the car is actually owned by.A valve controller that can be opened and closed by remote control was installed on the muffler.So, we also tried it with the valve open.

Then, it is totally different.Even from low speeds, a sports car-like exhaust note can be heard from the rear, which is really pleasant.I was again impressed by how pleasant it is to have the sound in proportion to the accelerator pedal.

However, it is never too noisy, and there is no difficulty in conversing with passengers, nor is there any discomfort that clutters the interior.

It's comfortable even if you don't fly at all, and as I thought with the GT3, if the valve is closed at low rpm, you try to run above 4000 rpm somehow, which is bad for the global environment, and also dangerous at times because of the speed, butIt would be gentler to drive with a valve controller.This is a very ironic result.

As a side note, the owner has tried a unit without a GPF (an early imported unit, with a different part number to be exact. The owner has tried a car without GPF (an early imported car, with a different part number to be exact).

According to him, the sound was even clearer and the volume was totally different.

With GPF, the sound is inevitably muffled.Yes.