Audi has pulled the covers back from the convertible version of its hardcore R8 GT supercar, just two months after its coming was signalled by a handful of teaser illustrations.

Like its hardtop sibling, the R8 GT Spyder is powered by a retuned version of the regular R8 V10′s 5.2-litre engine, lifting power to 418 kW and 540 N.m of torque. Power is transferred to all four wheels through Audi’s R tronic sequential automatically-controlled manual transmission and quattro all-wheel-drive system. The 0 – 100km/h sprint is knocked over in 3.8 seconds, compared to 3.6 seconds for the hardtop R8 GT and 3.9 seconds for the regular R8 5.2 FSI V10.

The R8 GT’s performance figures come not just from its uprated engine, but also through a range of weight-saving measures. Compared to the regular R8 5.2 FSI Spyder, the topless R8 GT is around 85 kg lighter – thanks in part to the 32 kg saving in the race-style seats. The R8 GT Spyder gets a number of titanium grey highlights, along with a front splitter, canards on the front bumper, red GT badging, circular exhaust tips in a larger diffuser, and tinted LED taillights.

Like the coupe, the R8 GT Spyder will be limited to just 333 cars. Audi South Africa has not confirmed numbers yet, but with only 7 hardtop R8 GT’s destined for our shores, expect the GT Spyder to be just as exclusive.

Adapted from TheMotorReport

There’s a new Audi model coming to town. We’re talking about the 2012 R8 GT Spyder that will make its global premiere at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and which was caught testing in and around the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. These are some of the first real life photos of the R8 GT Spyder, which is seen here in prototype guise.

Audi’s hottest drop top model will go on the same strict diet as its tin top counterpart, the R8 GT Coupe, while also gaining a more powerful version of the Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10, churning out an angry 412 kW.

In the coupe, Ingolstadt’s engineers were able to shave 100 kilograms, dropping the car’s curb weight of to 1 525 kg, and improving the power-to-weight ratio to 2.7 kg per kW. Expect to see a similar weight reduction (and by that we mean close, not more) in the convertible model. For the record, the coupe R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h.

Though absent from the prototype model seen here, the actual R8 GT Spyder will get the same aero package as it’s coupe sibling comprising of new front and rear bumpers with additional air vents. From what we understand, Audi will follow the example of the coupe and keep production of the R8 GT Spyder limited to 333 units worldwide.

via CarScoop

Audi has added a fourth model to its growing R8 line-up, in the form of the limited-edition 2011 Audi R8 GT. Based on the 5.2 FSI V10 model, the R8 GT is both lighter and meaner than its ‘regular’ siblings.

Thanks to its alumininium spaceframe, the R8 was already close to being the lightest it could be. Nonetheless, Audi has managed to cut a further 100 kg from the supercar’s usual 1 625 kg kerb weight by swapping a number of aluminium panels for carbon fibre versions. There is also a thinner windscreen, and a polycarbonate rear window.

If slicing the equivalent of a human passenger from its mass isn’t enough, Audi has eked a further 27 kW of power from the big V10, making for a total of 418 kW – topping its cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo. The boost in power comes courtesy of tweaks to the engine electronics, leading also to a small boost in torque – up 10 N.m to 540 N.m at 6 500 r/mon. The limited-edition R8 GT is claimed to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and on to 200 km/h in 10.6 seconds. The top speed has increased slightly to 320 km/h, versus 316km/h for the ‘standard’ R8 V10. For transmissions, the R8 GT is available only with the hydraulically-actuated R-tronic sequential ‘manual’ transmission, which Audi claims can change gears a within a tenth of a second at high load.

Only 333 examples of the R8 GT will be built and the price in Germany is €193 000. No word from Audi SA on when or how many will be landing on our shores.