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Audi unveils R8 Spyder 5.2 V10

Posted by Hootan Mahallati | September 15, 2009 | In audi news

Ever wonder what an Audi R8 would look like without its side blades? Well, you now can - sort of. The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 V10 has been unveiled to the world in Frankfurt, and its design is certainly quite a departure from that of its donor coupe. This being Audi, the Spyder is exquisitely crafted and it takes a while to take in all the details

As the name suggests, the Spyder comes with the delightful, Lamborghini Gallardo-derived V10, albeit in the detuned Audi form. Good for 525 hp and 391 lb-ft. of torque, the engine accelerates the Spyder to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. That means a sub-four second run to 60 mph for the Spyder, which is a hefty 476 lb more than the R8 V10 coupe. The Spyder tops out at 195 mph. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual transmission as well as an R Tronic six-speed automatic. We can only imagine what that amazing V10 sounds like unobstructed by the coupe's body

The Spyder's electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 31 mph. When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the V10 engine. The compartment cover opens and closes automatically. The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead. It can be independently raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the top up or down. An additional net-like wind deflector comes standard and can be latched into the bulkhead behind the seats in two steps.

US prices are not yet available, but we do know that the Spyder will go on sale first quarter of 2010 with a base price of $229,300.

[Source: Audi]

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