Following a leak of the official gallery late last week, Audi has released the full details surrounding its new R8 Spyder.
Supporting rumours that the R8 Spyder would be available exclusively as a V10, the latest press release makes no mention of the 4,2-litre V8 powertrain from the original Audi R8 Coupe. Instead the R8 Spyder uses a mid-mounted 5,2-litre V10 engine producing 386 kW at 8 700 rpm and peak torque of 530 N.m at 6 500 rpm. This equates to over 75 kW per litre and zero to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 313 km/h with the six-speed manual transmission and Audi’s permanent all-wheel-drive. The brakes offer impressive performance with eight-piston callipers up front and four-piston callipers at the rear, framed behind 19-inch 10-spoke Y design wheels.
Unlike the Coupé, the Spyder does not have sideblades behind the doors, replaced by a retractable cloth top while maintaining the large, integrated air vents. The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h and folds into a Z shape over the V10 engine. With the entire roof package weighing in at just 30 kilograms, the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro weighs only 1,720 kilograms thanks primarily to its aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) body.
The bulkhead includes integrated rollover protection and a heated glass rear window which is lowered and raised automatically with the roof or independently at the press of a switch. The list of standard interior equipment include full-leather package featuring Fine Nappa leather, a Bang & Olufsen premium sound system, a deluxe automatic air conditioning system and heated seats. Along with front passenger airbags, the R8 Spyder includes head/thorax side bags in the backrests to protect the passengers in the event of a side impact.
The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro will be launched in Germany in the first quarter of 2010 with a base price of EUR156 400.
