I just don’t understand why they build these supercars with no room to put the top when it is off. Look at the Corvette… the targa top stows nicely under the back glass. I realise that the multi-millionaires driving these cars aren’t even going to think about taking them out in the rain… but pop-up showers and storms do happen, even to the super rich.

Is the R8 supposed to make us forget that the vast majority of Audi cars are bloated, ugly, overpriced, over-engineered, expensive-to-maintain, FWD turds?

…not forget, but rather divert attention from.

Funny… when I see an A4 or A6 I think of clean, simple, and stylish. Get the quattro and you don’t have to worry about FWD… and as far as “expensive to maintain” goes… it’s German, what did you expect?

Yes, because it would be SOO expensive to ask Lambo how they did it with the Gallardo…

Audi cars are ugly? Have you actually seen an A5/S5 or a 2008 TT on the street? I always see comments about Audi’s being overpriced, but they never say to which brand are they comparing it.

You will not get this car with RWD = Boring car with a lot of not fun at all HP.

yea wtf, howsmydriving, you dont even know what youre talking about. Audis are awesome cars. I agree with RaineMan, they really are simple, stylish, and good performers as well.

I have driven 4WD,FWD and RWD. I had RWD the first 13 years, and now i am finally back again. Never, ever will i go back to anything but RWD. If people are happy with FWD or 4WD, thats fine, but not for me and many more people.I would never consider a Audi because of it, and it is a shame that they do not make an RWD option for the A/S5 and R8.

I think this idea is genius, Audi has a goldmine opportunity here and they are going to take it while they can. The R8 sold out faster than floor seats at the big game so Audi decides they want to make a convertible now. They could go ask Ferrari (F430) or Lambo (Gallardo Spyder, Murcie Roadster) for advice on how to fit a retractable hard or soft top on a mid-engined car but whats the point. Audi figures why waste the time and the money developing this special system when they could use a targa. For very little effort and cash put forth Audi is going make a fortune off selling the same car with less metal because people will buy it regardless of the fact the top doesn’t stow away. I mean if you love the R8 then no other convertible is going to sway you away from it even if they have retractables because it wont look like an R8 simple as that.

looks like an MR2

well how much weight will it add

If Lamborghini can make the Gallardo into a real convertible, why can’t Audi manage something similar with the longer R8?
I don’t believe this LLN report is right, however, as this looks like it could potentially be covering up an actual convertible roof. The cut of the side window glass also makes it look like it will have a convertible roof instead of a simple targa top. Whaddya all think!?

I think dropping the carbon fiber blade ruins the distinctive look of the hardtop R8.

Audi doesn’t care about asking Lamborghini how they did it with the GAllardo. They know how to engineer convertibles, they’re a successful German auto company, not a bunch of gay fisters on a carsite talking sh!t all day. They simply don’t care to waste the time or money developing it.

I agree with MurcieMe, that roof does not look like a targa at all. Imo it looks similar to the Gallardo Spyder’s roof.

Although I agree it looks a little bit like a late model MR2, you do have to admit that this thing is going to look pretty slick with the top down. It may even look better than the coupe, which has good styling details but lumpy and uneven proportions.

Good spot Murcie me, that’s definitely not the actual top, its a disguise cover all the way from the rear deck to the windscreen surround.
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I’m intrigued by the three M3’s at the junction, was Audi out showing off to the neighbours?

The Audi R8 Spider is shaping up rather nicely. Ideally, a retractable roof is best but roof or no roof, retractable or removable only, the R8 is still going to sell like hotcakes. So if the engineers are spending more time on strengthening the chassis rather than working on ways to build a retractable roof, we’re going to get one awesome handling open-top car.
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I’ve linked to this article on http://DriveCritic.com/

I dunno… I’m still a big fan of this Audi:

http://images.pistonheads.com/aimg/670/670850-1.jpg

The mutts.

A nice addition to an already impressive reportage on Audi’s part. Darn Im so impressed with how far they’ve progressed design wise. Hopefully someday ill be able to testify to what an awesome ride it is.

WHATT the sideblade is gone? forget that ill stay dreaming about the coupe.

to bad they couldnt find a spot within the car, kinda kills taking long trips with the top off….Ive owned corvettes and I always thought the easily removed targa that could be stored within the car was a great comprimise between a true fixed roof hard top and a convertable…

It’s great from behind and side, not that sure from front view. It looks umhh, Volkswagenish.

HHOWSMYDRIVING I agree…Thats why I hate Audi

R8 targa top…EW

Nice job Audi for ruining the R8. They better not have this option in the V12 TDI model.

If anything American p.o.s.(piece of sh-t) are more exspensive to maintian.Considering the fact that American pos break down way more often within the same time frame than the Euros.Think about it.

I agree..
Thats why I dont like MOST NA(North American) made cars..bad quality..bad quality

Rafa LL..thats because it is basically a VW