The New Audi R8 Spyder Is Here To Fill Your Ears With Glorious V10 Noise
After being spotted undergoing testing undisguised in the wild recently, the drop-top ‘Spyder’ version of Audi’s R8 supercar has been fully revealed at the New York Auto Show. Under the skin it’s much the same as the coupe: there’s a 532bhp, 398lb ft 5.2-litre N/A V10 mounted in the middle (a 602bhp V10 Plus is due later in the year), quattro all-wheel drive and Audi’s Space Frame chassis.
The chassis is worthy of particular attention, as it makes the car 50 per cent more rigid than the old R8 Spyder. The whole lot is over 100kg lighter than the old car, too. It is still heavier than the coupe, of course, although it doesn’t dent performance too much: 0-62mph is possible in just 3.6 seconds, only a tenth down on the tin-top V10. The top speed is listed as a very specific 197.6mph.
Like the coupe, there’s only one gearbox option: a seven-speed ‘S Tronic’ dual-clutch automatic.
The electronically-operated roof can go up or down automatically in around 20 seconds, at speeds of up to 31mph. The rear window can also drop up or down independently, if you want a little more noise without lowering the whole roof.
Prices haven’t been revealed just yet, but expect to add a few thousand to the £119,500 starting price of the R8 V10 coupe.
Growing up on a diet of World Rally Championship highlights and lengthy Gran Turismo 2 sessions, a life in cars was as good as inevitable for Matt.
Comments
Hm… Not sure if approved.
i remember to have same colour on Opel Corsa years ago, It was an awful product of German engineering
Am I the only one who thinks the rear somewhat resembles grumpy cat?
The front kinda does aswell haha. Nice design, but I liked the last one a bit more though…
why buy a the less fast version of a supercar that is probably also expensive, and lets not forget worse handling
Audi gallardo spyder
£119,500? Hey I’ll have two; one as a track car and the other to tow the track car to the track.
im zorry but this r8 looks tragic…ill have the old one back thx
They stole the black piece between the taillights from this car?