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I know this is a market half way around the world but I feel kind of cheated that they would put the Spyder humps on a car with a different front and rear end treatment and furthermore with something other than the 4.0. To me this taints the Spyder nameplate. Very unfortunate. Imagine it ends up such a sales success there that they figure to have a go at the same configuration in North America? I shudder to think more about this. Terrifying.
I know this is a market half way around the world but I feel kind of cheated that they would put the Spyder humps on a car with a different front and rear end treatment and furthermore with something other than the 4.0. To me, this taints the Spyder nameplate. Very unfortunate. Imagine it ends up such a sales success there that they figure to have a go at the same configuration in North America? I shudder to think more about this. Terrifying.
It is very unfortunate that the spyder name is being used in a 2.0 engine, kinda as BMW putting the M badges on all their cars such as M240i, or some m sport line. But should we appreciate the 918 spyder owners generously allowing us to use the spyder badge for 10% of what they paid for?
However, for the Chinese market, I do not think Porsche is doing so to please the Chinese customers. They want the pure 4.0 flat-six no less than people in the west. It is mainly because of the environmental regulations and high taxes on big-engine cars. Just for this 2.0L spyder. The starting price is more than 700 thousand CNY, which is approximately 107 thousand USD. If you want to import a true 4.0 GT4 or Spyder, the cost is about 262 thousand USD, more than double what you pay in the US.
It is very unfortunate that the spyder name is being used in a 2.0 engine, kinda as BMW putting the M badges on all their cars such as M240i, or some m sport line. But should we appreciate the 918 spyder owners generously allowing us to use the spyder badge for 10% of what they paid for?
The Boxster versions of the Spyder well preceded the 918, but understand what you are getting at.
I’m talking more about a diluted version within its own nameplate. Like if the 918 Spyder came out, people bought that version then they came out with a visibly diluted more parts binny econo version of the 918 afterwards. Special cars usually come with an understanding that subsequent iterations released will only be allowed if directionally better off the baseline car.
The Boxster versions of the Spyder well preceded the 918, but understand what you are getting at.
I’m talking more about a diluted version within its own nameplate. Like if the 918 Spyder came out, people bought that version then they came out with a visibly diluted more parts binny econo version of the 918 afterwards. Special cars usually come with an understanding that subsequent iterations released will only be allowed if directionally better off the baseline car.
Don't get me wrong, I completely feel your concern. My Spyder is coming in June. But I won't worry the Chinese version of a spyder is going to dilute the 718 spyder nameplate. First off, it looks considerably different- far less aggressive and not GT car looking. I would argue they only share the wheels and the hump. Another thing, as you mentioned, what we celebrate of the 718 Spyder more than its predecessor 981 spyder, is that the newer one is better- a true GT car with gt3 suspension and hi-rev 4.0L engine. Those are the things the Spyders in the Chinese market don't have. To me, the two, despite being called the same, are two different cars. I would love to know when 991.2 carerra went on sale with a turbo engine, how many 911 turbo owners were pissed off by the move?
Another point why we shouldn't worry about the diluting problem is that Porsche enthusiasts are spec-driven and notoriously attention-to-detail. Some even say a Spyder or GT4 without a bucket seat isn't a GT car : ) Do you think your fellow mates and rennlisters would fail to distinguish a 4.0 spyder from a 2.0 econ version?
I would only be pissed if they sell the 2.0 Spyder for the price of a true 4.0 Spyder produced by the gt division. At least Porsche is fair to its customers globally- you get what you paid for, straight and simple. The 718 Spyder 2.0 is only a tad more expensive than a regular 718 Boxster in China.
Don't get me wrong, I completely feel your concern. My Spyder is coming in June. But I won't worry the Chinese version of a spyder is going to dilute the 718 spyder nameplate. First off, it looks considerably different- far less aggressive and not GT car looking. I would argue they only share the wheels and the hump. Another thing, as you mentioned, what we celebrate of the 718 Spyder more than its predecessor 981 spyder, is that the newer one is better- a true GT car with gt3 suspension and hi-rev 4.0L engine. Those are the things the Spyders in the Chinese market don't have. To me, the two, despite being called the same, are two different cars. I would love to know when 991.2 carerra went on sale with a turbo engine, how many 911 turbo owners were pissed off by the move?
Another point why we shouldn't worry about the diluting problem is that Porsche enthusiasts are spec-driven and notoriously attention-to-detail. Some even say a Spyder or GT4 without a bucket seat isn't a GT car : ) Do you think your fellow mates and rennlisters would fail to distinguish a 4.0 spyder from a 2.0 econ version?
I would only be pissed if they sell the 2.0 Spyder for the price of a true 4.0 Spyder produced by the gt division. At least Porsche is fair to its customers globally- you get what you paid for, straight and simple. The 718 Spyder 2.0 is only a tad more expensive than a regular 718 Boxster in China.
But I heard that the Chinese versions come with a higher tuned turbo-4, reportedly 450HP!
I'm glad Porsche is finding ways to allow the Chinese market to enjoy the design of the Spyder while still working around restrictive engine laws. It is a beautiful car, everyone should be able to buy one if they want. More and more countries are going to need this creativity in the near future before the switch to electric.
04-19-2021, 11:43 PM
I do like the color though. 
