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Basic Specs
| Base Price | TBA |
| Drivetrain | All Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 3858 |
| City (MPG) | 11 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 20 |
| Horsepower | 430@7900 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 316@4500 |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 |
| Length (in.) | 174.4 |
| Width (in.) | 79.9 |
| Height (in.) | 49.0 |
The R8 Spyder is the convertible version of Audi’s mid-engined, V8-powered R8 supercar. As with its fixed-roof sibling, the R8 Spyder is based on the same platform as the Lamboghini Gallardo and features an excellent balance of exotic performance and every-day drivability. For those seeking even more power, Audi offers coupe and drop-top versions of the R8 with a Lamborghini-based V10.
Visually, the R8 accommodates the transformation into a convertible with grace. Gone are the vertical “side blades” from the flanks of the normal R8, simplifying the overall design and allowing for cleaner side air intakes. One casualty of the need to package the convertible top is the glass-topped engine compartment of the coupe, which is replaced by a pair of chrome vents. The overall look remains defined by the car’s wide, hunkered-down and menacing stance.
The convertible top weighs just 93 pounds, helping to keep the car’s center of gravity down low, and can be raised or lowered in just 19 seconds. Changes under sheet metal are focused around chassis strengthening, but otherwise, Audi says the R8 Spyder is mostly unaltered from its hard-top counterpart.
The interior integrates the driver neatly between the dashboard and the high center console, while the instrument panel is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel, a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, enables comfortable ingress and egress. Material quality is superb throughout and the seats offer long-haul comfort.
Eight Cylinders, Six Speeds, Four Drive Wheels
The R8 Spyder packs a 4.2-liter direct-injected V8 just aft of the passenger compartment. This sonorous, high-revving engine produces 430 horsepower at 7,900 rpm and 316 lb-ft of torque at 4500 RPM, enough to speed the car to a claimed zero-to-60 mpg time of 4.6 seconds (which is likely conservative). Top speed is 186 mpg.
Power is sent to all four wheels via Audi’s legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system. A choice of two transmissions is offered: a gated six-speed manual or a single-clutch six-speed automated manual, which lags behind the dual-clutch technology offered by some competitors. The autobox offers the choice of several manual drive modes along with a fully automatic mode for times when shifting the supercar becomes too much of a chore.
Fuel economy is rated at 11/20 mpg with the manual and 13/21 with the robotized manual.
Sophisticated Chassis
The chassis features forged aluminum double wishbones at the front and rear. At the front they are triangulated, while at the rear the top one is triangulated and the bottom one is a triangulated wishbone with a track rod. Direct, hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides optimum feedback to assist the driver.
Optional on the R8 Spyder is Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping. The system uses magnetic fields in the hydraulic shock absorbers to adjust their response to road conditions within milliseconds and adapt to the driver’s style. There is a choice of two basic characteristics. During fast cornering and when braking, the control unit reduces body pitch and roll through the targeted increase of damping force at the individual wheels.
The R8 Spyder rolls on 18-inch wheels shod with 235/40 tires up front and 285/35 tires in the rear. There are also optional 19-inch wheels in a variety of designs – monochrome or two colors, polished or titanium-colored.
Behind the wheels are massive disc brakes measuring 14.37 inches in diameter up front and 14.02 inches in the back. To quickly dissipate the heat, they are internally ventilated, perforated and composed of two pieces – stainless steel pins connect the steel friction rings to the aluminum caps.
Black, eight-piston calipers grab the front discs, with four-piston calipers used in the rear. The 19-inch wheels are optionally available with perforated carbon fiber-ceramic discs that are extremely lightweight, robust, long-lived and corrosion-free.
Options and Features
Among the highlights of the standard equipment are seats covered with Fine Nappa leather, aluminum door sills, concert radio system with seven speakers, xenon plus headlights, LED tail lights, automatic top and a rollover protection system. Metallic paint and heated seats are also standard.
Audi also offers an array of options – power seats, an interior lighting package, hill hold assist, cruise control, deluxe automatic air conditioning, a storage package and the high-beam assistant. All leather for the seats is colored with pigments that reflect the infrared component of sunlight, greatly reducing the heating of the interior.
Multimedia options include a sound system from Bang & Olufsen with 450 watts of power, the Audi music interface for easily connecting an external player and a Bluetooth cell phone preparation. The navigation system plus is characterized by its MMI operating logic and a high-resolution 6.5-inch display. It can be combined with a reversing camera.
An interesting innovation featured in the Spyder is the seatbelt microphone for the hands-free unit and the speech dialogue system, which makes it possible to talk on the phone even with the top down on the highway. Both seatbelts house three small, flat microphones. At least one of them is ideally positioned relative to the speaker when the belt is on. There is a fourth microphone in the windshield frame.
Occupant Safety
Located in the R8’s bulkhead is a rollover protection system with two strong, spring-loaded sections that shoot up within 0.2 seconds when needed. Other safety measures include dual front airbags, dual head/thorax side airbags mounted the seat backrests as well as traction and stability control systems.
Key Competitors
Those with the good fortune to be considering the R8 Spyder might also want to research the Porsche 911 Turbo Convertible, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible.
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- General
- Body Style: Roadster
- Size: Compact
- Market Segment: Sports, Exotic
- Weight: 3858 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 174.4 in.
- Width: 79.9 in.
- Height: 49.0 in.
- Wheelbase: 104.3 in.
- Ground Clearance: TBD
- Front Track: 64.5 in.
- Rear Track: 62.8 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: 0.34
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 2
- Passenger Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume: 3.53 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): N/A
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 41.03 in.
- Head Room: 36.97 in.
- Shoulder Room: 54.8 in.
- Hip Room: TBD
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 4.2L V8
- Power: 430 hp @ 7900 rpm
- Torque: 316 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
- Highway Fuel Economy: 20 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 11 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: Yes
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- Chassis
- Layout: All Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Double Wishbone
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- Wheels
- Front: 19" Aluminum
- Front Tires: TBD
- Rear: 19" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: TBD
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: TBD
- Payload: N/A
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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