R8 Spyder V10: Pure emotion
AUDI’S HEAD-TURNER: TECHNOLOGY MEETS MOTORSPORT SPIRIT
Dynamic handling combined with 0 to 200 km/h in just 11.8 seconds.
Horizontal lines characterize the front view, as does the wide and low single frame with its honeycomb grille. Sculpted surfaces connect it to the wedge-shaped headlights. The contours above the wheels are a cue to the quattro drive; the side blades, which have been updated from the previous model, set bold accents.
The concept of emphasized horizontals also gives the rear a wide, athletic look. Trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes, optionally with glossy black tips, flank a diffuser with vertical ribs. The engine compartment vents and the LED rear lights refer visually to one another; the forked contours of the lights create a distinctive red light signature. 37 light-emitting diodes in each of the headlights of the new R8 Spyder produce a bright LED light that can be augmented with the optional Audi laser light.
The aluminium tank cap bears an embossed logo and after opening the cap, the driver can insert the fuel nozzle directly into the tank neck. Just like with a racing car, there is no fuel cap to unscrew.
The convertible top of the R8 Spyder weighs just 44kg, thus contributing to the low centre of gravity of the open-top, high-performance sports car. Two fins running to the rear stretch the cloth, which together with the large cover of the compartment for the convertible top, harmonize perfectly with the striking design of the R8 Spyder.
An electro-hydraulic drive opens and closes the top in just 20 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h. The rear window is sunk into the bulkhead and can be retracted and extended electrically. With all windows up, the air stream strokes the R8 Spyder with a minimum of turbulence.
When opened, the soft top folds like a ‘Z’ into a flat storage compartment over the engine. The compartment cover moves fluidly on two seven-link hinges. Two strong steel sections pretensioned by springs serve as rollover protection.
From 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, 11.8 seconds for the sprint from 0 to 200 km/h and a top speed of 318 km/h sum up the dynamic performance claim of the new Audi R8 Spyder. Its 5 204cm3 displacement, the free-breathing, high-compression V10 engine develops 397kW of power and 540Nm of torque at 6 500rpm. The power-to-weight ratio is just 3.19kg per hp.
The ten-cylinder engine responds lightning fast to the accelerator and spins up effortlessly to 8 700rpm. At the red line, the pistons are travelling at nearly 27m every second. Sound flaps in the exhaust system are standard.
Compared with the previous model, NEDC fuel consumption has declined by ten percent thanks to potent efficiency technologies.
The cylinder on demand (COD) system deactivates one cylinder bank at low to intermediate load, and the dual injection system injects fuel directly in to the combustion chambers (FSI) and into the induction pipe (MPI) as needed.
Breathtaking cornering speeds, highly precise and always stable handling – the new Audi R8 Spyder is also at the head of the pack when it comes to the drivetrain. It combines three hightech components: a seven-speed S tronic, a newly developed, fully variable multi-plate clutch and a locking differential.
The ultra-compact and lightning-fast seven-speed S tronic is placed behind the V10 engine, and commands are transmitted strictly electrically – by wire. The driver can shift gears manually using the gear selector lever or the shift paddles on the steering wheel. Or the driver can have the S tronic shift automatically in the D or S program. At the push of a button, the launch control system automatically engages the clutch at approximately 4 500rpm to enable maximum acceleration from a standing start.
The car’s handling becomes even more accomplished and precise with the optional performance leather steering wheel. It adds three more driving programs: dry, wet and snow. These adapt the most important parameters for dynamic driving to the grip conditions of the road surface, affecting not only the quattro drive and the technical components indicated above, but also the electronic stabilization control (ESC) for the best possible lap times.
The Audi R8 Spyder retails for R2 905 500.