wizee

I’m getting the 718 Spyder too. I wanted a manual transmission, I wanted something smaller and lighter, and jagged styling of the Corvette doesn’t appeal to me, particularly with the weird protrusion in the door. I like the looks of the Spyder much better, and it would also be much rarer than a Corvette. After factoring in depreciation, for my use case, the Porsche won’t be too different than a Corvette Z51 in cost of ownership either.

The 718 Spyder does have the same peak torque as the 981 (420 Nm), but it has a wider torque band. The 981 (GT4 and Spyder) produce the rated torque from 4750 to 6000 RPM, while the 718 produces the rated torque from 5000-6800 RPM, and continues to sustain torque above 6800 much better than the old Spyder (all the way up to its increased 8k RPM redline). For the most part, the better top end torque is only usable outside tracks or the Autobahns in second gear. Nevertheless, first gear acceleration should be fun up to 80 km/h, and second gear torque is enough for me (though a tad more torque is always welcome).

The other torque curve change of the new motor is at the bottom. The new motor has a more gradual build of torque than the old, as opposed to the peaks and troughs of the old one. The new motor produces slightly more torque than the old one between 3k and 4K RPM (eg. 370 Nm vs 360 Nm at 3500 RPM), but this difference is small (only 3% extra). The new motor also has significantly more torque under 2k RPM lazy street driving (eg. right turns without downshifting). At 1500 RPM the new motor produces 333 Nm instead of 300 Nm from the old.

In terms of power to weight ratios, if Porsche isn’t underrating their power and torque as usual, the 718 GT4/Spyder is about the same as the base Corvette. The GT4 and Spyder both weigh 1420 kg in base form (about 1380 kg with LWBS ans PCCB). According to the leaked specs, the curb weight (wet) of the C8 is 1604 kg coupe, 1650 kg convertible. The C8 Z51 engine is rated at 368 kW, the 718 at 309 kW. That gives 0.218 kW/kg for the 718 Spyder, 0.223 for the C8 convertible. That’s only a 2.3% difference, and if Porsche underrates compared to Chevy as usual, then they’re equal.

For the same power to weight ratio and same cost of ownership, I could have a 1650 kg Corvette with styling I dislike, or a rare 1420 kg Porsche. It was a no brainer for me.

HenryPcar

I remember years ago when the internet was at a dinosaur stage, the only viable information is what the brand name manufacturer and the magazines fed us. Literally we gobbled up every hook and sinker from all the rave reviews and found out after owning the car, the short-comings became obvious that no magazines ever mentioned. Not any more and regardless of what the manufacturers and publications try to entice us, the public is more informed and will disclose what they like or dislike in a truthful manner. Just as Taycan or Corvette trying to show us what they have, ultimately pros and cons will surface after the public gets hold of it. Personally I'll hold off any judgement until more information coming out from actual ownership of the cars.

Surge74

Excellent reply @wizee . There’s no purer high performance driving experience than the 718 Spyder. A manual was a must have for me too. And the resale on the Porsche will be much much better. Actually the GT4 has less depreciation than the GT3.
Once the C8 hype dies down, these things will be sitting on lots just like the C7 is/was.

Zoe

Not so sure on the resale. The 981 gt4 was limited. I believe they are not limiting the 718. I have a boxster gts which I track and love. I considered the 718 GT4, but was disappointed in its specs. I expected more over the 981. I went with the C8, but I’m keeping the gts. To each his own. But I’m sure the Porsche will be a great car. Enjoy it.

Psorcery

This post should sum up the thread.

fast1

The 992 is large and the C8 is larger. IMO there's no way in hell that a moderately equipped 992 should be priced $50K higher than a C8. Exclusivity means absolutely nothing to me. I don't care if Porsche sells only one 992 in the US, I still don't want one.

jkautz

And I thank you for this

Caustic

Your comment is exactly right. I already have a 911. I don't care about exclusivity. The 992 drifts farther away from what I feel a 911 is. But a pushrod V8 behind my head in a car that I can drive anywhere and not worry too much about is intriguing.

clutchplate

I bought a first year C6 in 2005 and you're right, it had numerous problems including burning a quart of oil every 900 miles, battery dying every few days etc. etc. So I traded it in for a new 2006 997S which had even more problems so Porsche is hardly immune from early production issues.

996SPECticle

What is the C8s top speed?

Bob Z.

194

jkautz

I read the z51 package will produce a a top speed in the high 180's. Not sure why that is though. Base w/o z51 will be 194

Zoe

The aero package on the Z51 slows the top end speed.

Craigy

194 for base, 184 for z51 package, both confirmed by GM. There's even a video out of the car hitting 194.

Yeah the wing and splitter are credited for slowing it down. 400lbs of downforce (at 180) on the z51 pack cars. No word on downforce (or lift?) on the base car.

Supposedly 3.0 for base car 0-60, and 2.9 for z51, but still unconfirmed. I think someone posted the "leaked" figures above. IIRC, from one of the many videos, the difference 0-60 between z51 pack and base is minimal and due mostly to the tires (Pilot sport 4s vs all season).

Zoe

There is also a big wing option that is said to be more efficient than the z51 wing and produces a tad more downforce. It’s possible the top speed with this wing will be somewhat higher.