Audi Launches Magnificent R8 Spyder
Audi's stunning R8 sportscar has already captured the motoring world's imagination - and now there's a soft-top version, the R8 Spyder revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Not just another soft-top in time for summer, the R8 is propelled by Audi's scintillating mid-mounted V10 engine producing 386kW and 530Nm. Performance is stunning - zero to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds, zero to 200km/h in 12.7 seconds and a top speed of 313 km/h (with the six-speed manual transmission - a six-speed R-tronic auto is optional).
The lightweight cloth roof opens and closes automatically and in order to accommodate the open top technology, Quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm, Germany has made some significant changes to the bodywork of the standard R8. The side intakes behind the doors are gone and both side panels and the cover over the roof storage compartment are made from a carbon fibre composite material.
Two arched cowls extend to the rear spoiler lip include integrated air vents.
The fabric roof was selected to keep weight down. With its Audi Space Frame (ASF) aluminium body shell and despite the addition of reinforcements in the sills, center tunnel, rear wall, floor pan and A- and B-pillars the, R8 Spyder tips the scales at 1,720 kgs - that's just 6 kgs more than the standard R8.
The top includes a heated glass rear window and comprises an outer skin of leak-proof textile and a headliner. Audi says with the roof closed, interior noise levels are barely higher than the standard R8. Rollover protection is included in the form of two spring-tensioned plates mounted in the bulkhead.
Further distinguishing features include black-painted air inlets at the front and chrome-finished struts in the grille.
Inside, Audi has selected special colour pigments for the leather seats which reduce their temperature by 20 degrees - handy for those summer days with the top down and there is an optional microphone setup in the seat belt to enable hands-free telephone operation even when driving with the roof open.
Wheels are ten-spoke 19-inch diameter with 235/35 front tyres and 295/30 rubber on the rears (305/30 tyres are optional).
The R8 Spyder goes on sale early next year.
