Audi will finally take the wraps off its R8 Spyder at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, but a new report suggests the one major component – other than the lack of roof – will separate the R8 convertible from its fixed-roof counterpart.
According to Car and Driver, the R8 Spyder will launch with a Lamborghini-derived 525 horsepower 5.2L V10. Although the base R8 coupe is available with a 4.2L V8, Audi will not offer the eight-cylinder mill in the Spyder to keep it up-scale.
Thanks to that V10 powerplant, the R8 Spyder will be able to make the sprint from 0-60 in less than four seconds, on its way to a toupee-defying top speed of 195 mph. Power will be route through a six-speed manual or automatic.
Although the current generation R8 Spyder will likely never see V8 power, there is the distinct possibility that Audi could offer an eight-cylinder with the next-generation car. However, the next R8 is still years away from fruition.
06/17, 3:43 PM
posted by:
Rafa LL
I’ll be driving this in Forza Motorsport 3.
06/17, 4:33 PM
posted by:
Borat
Here is a little bucket of cold water: Lotus Elise with supercharger get 0 to 60 under 4 seconds, handles above 1.0 G and gets to the same top speed for almost half the price and 40% of cylinders. It also has mileage that I can write without using obscenities.
06/17, 5:30 PM
posted by:
MurcieMe
I highly doubt anybody would be cross shopping an Elise with an R8. An Elise is a noisy, insane track day sports car with the lowest ‘everyday livability’ in modern autodom. The R8 on the other hand is far more luxurious and comfortable while still being able to run rings around almost anything else on the road.
06/17, 6:57 PM
posted by:
JakeK66
Add in attractiveness Murcie.
06/17, 8:18 PM
posted by:
Borat
Murcie, I concur. Then why publish all those numbers? Those number for enthusiasts and R8 is for a gentleman who can afford to complement his smallness with fast and very expensive car.
06/17, 8:46 PM
posted by:
beatusmongous
And I think tall people fit in the R8 better, too.
06/17, 8:46 PM
posted by:
KarLoveBoy88
And once again, the worlds most beautiful and perfect car gets more perfect.
06/18, 1:24 AM
posted by:
A4
And the R8 is a car you can live with EVERY DAY as your primary means of transportation, if wanted. An Elise is as far from that comfort and convenience as you can get, Borat. Fool.
06/18, 2:38 AM
posted by:
MurcieMe
Mr. Borat, I consider myself an enthusiast, and I certainly see the appeal of the Elise. It may just be one of the worlds very best out-and-out sports cars. And in being an enthusiast I’m very much interested in ‘all those numbers’ for all cars!
06/18, 10:39 AM
posted by:
Borat
A4, you again starting with insults. That life without daddy must really torments young soul. And mom never home, always with those bad looking sailors…