R8 cabrio slated for targa top, not conventional convertible top

Audi is reportedly working on a drop top version of its R8 supercar, but the German automaker has reportedly come up with a rather simple solution to solve the R8's complex open-air needs. Rather than going with a hard or soft top convertibles, insiders say that that Audi will instead opt for a targa version on the R8.

According to Car, Audi decided to go with a targa setup because the R8's mid-engine layout made a retractable hardtop or even a soft top convertible an engineering headache. Instead of spending months of time and money engineering a cubby hole to store the convertible tops and their associated mechanisms, Audi decide to go with the much simpler solution.

However, the R8's mid-engine also made a storage spot for the targa roof impossible, so that item will have to be left in the garage on sunny days.

It does seem a bit strange that Audi engineers couldn't come up with a conventional convertible top solution as Audi's stablemate -- Lamborghini -- offers convertible versions of its mid-engine machines.

Look for the targa R8 to launch sometime next year.