Frankfurt 2009: Audi R8 Spyder

The Audi R8 is already one of the most desirable vehicles on the market. It combines the exotic feel and performance of a Lamborghini Gallardo with all of Audi's know-how on how to make a modern vehicle.  It's coddling and comfortable, extremely fast yet nimble, refined but slight old-school - have you seen that gated shifter?  And now, Audi's cranking up the "want one" qoutient to 11.  Today the first images of the upcoming R8 Spyder have hit the web, and I like what I see.

As far as the design goes, there aren't a whole lot of surprises in store.  It's an R8 without the solid roof.  And while most coupes look awful with the top chopped off (I'm looking at you, Nissan 350Z!), the R8 looks totally natural sans top.  The shape has a different flow to it, but it's still muscular and aggressive without being too over-the-top.  I do particularly love the chocoalte-brown color they chose for these press photos; it's not the typical "look at me!" bright yellow or obnoxious copper/orange that's all the rage with supercars these days.  But again, Audi just does things differently.

The R8 Spyder uses a cloth folding roof (thank god) that hides itself under a hard tonneau cover when the roof is retracted.  The only really new styling cue are the intake ducts behind the passenger's heads, which have a vague 80's Ferrari feel if you ask me.  The Spyder will only be available with the larger 5.2 FSI V10 engine, which I recently had a chance to hear in a coupe.  And at least judging how it sounds based on a few dead-revs inside the Audi dealership, the R8 Spyder will provide the sort of aural stimulation befitting of a super exotic sports car.  The Lamborghini-derived 5.2L V10 features direct fuel injection and provides 525bhp@8000rpm and 390lb-ft @6500rpm, spinning all the way up to 8,750rpm before the rev-limiter kicks in.  Now imagine that motor, in a convertible, running towards redline as you pass through a tunnel.

Audi haven't released any more technical specifications or pricing information on the R8 Spyder yet, but I imagine it will be forthcoming with the Frankfurt show next week.  Considering the R8 V10 Coupe weighs in at almost 3600lbs, it's likely the convertible will be even heavier.  Despite this, I don't imagine they'll stick around for long.