It's no secret that Audi's planned expansion of its R8 lineup will include upgraded engines (both gasoline- and diesel-powered) and a new convertible version that's likely to make an appearance next year. The crew at Car have already shown us a sketch of what a drop-top R8 could look like, complete with twin humps aft of the passenger compartment concealing the V8 beast beneath and aluminum (or composite) blades that have been halved to integrate into the beltline. But according to the Brit pub, Audi has decided that a canvas roof or a folding hard top isn't feasible due to the mid-mounted mill. Instead, a removable targa roof that can be detached and stowed (in your heated and carpeted garage?) will be fitted to the R8 to allow open air motoring with a bit of preplanning. It's a somewhat inelegant solution for a vehicle that exudes sophistication, and we think Audi would be advised to check out what its corporate kissing cousin, Lamborghini, is doing with its own convertible supercars.[Source: Car]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RG @ Mar 28th 2008 1:33PM
"isn't feasible due to the mid-mounted mill"
Hmm, better not tell Ferrari or (like you said) Lamborghini this.
It is definately doable, but I think Audi is going the targa route to provide another topless configuration without (blatantly) trampling on the Gallardo vert's toes.
Franz @ Mar 28th 2008 1:38PM
I agree. I Ferrari and Lamborghini can do it, so can Audi. Top down motoring get significantly less desirable if you have to leave the roof at home. What if it rains while you're out? I'd never own any removable roof car if I couldn't bring the roof with me. I think they should reconsider the folding
canvas top.
Hike15 @ Mar 28th 2008 1:48PM
I also agree
They should be able to do this if they did it with the gallardo. And lambo is a VW company like Audi is so it shouldnt be as hard as it sounds.
Daniel @ Mar 28th 2008 1:48PM
I would prefer this over a soft or hard top anyway (as if I could afford it either way...)
Toy Yoda @ Mar 28th 2008 2:02PM
I'm not buying the the argument they are not doing a convertible top because of the Gallardo Spider. The same argument was made about why the R8 wouldn't be built and look how that turned out.
The simplest explanation is that the reports got it wrong. Or, that they won't have it figured out for next year's deadline. But they will have it. Audi wouldn't make that mistake.
Will @ Mar 28th 2008 2:06PM
Warm weather locales are synonomous with spontaneous storms. I would be really annoyed if my $100K+ supercar got stuck in a rainstorm with my targa roof back in my carpeted, climate controlled garage. There has to be a better solution. There is no need to "invent" the mid-engined convertible, they've been around awhile Audi.
SPG @ Mar 28th 2008 2:43PM
Can you picture some middle aged guy going out for a nice relaxing drive and then having to scramble with the foot to the floor looking for a carport or a parking garage?
"Oh no it's raining! Oh no!, this parking garage only takes quarters!"
R? @ Mar 28th 2008 2:44PM
Have you seen the Top Gear clip when Hammond tried to replace the foldable roof on a Murcielago spyder? Beautiful piece of engineering.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lACR5tpsCk8
Peter Rockwell @ Mar 28th 2008 2:56PM
Doesn't "cabriolet" imply a folding roof of some sort? "Roadster" or "Spyder" would be more appropriate. Or perhaps "Geofnett" (please add an umlaut over the o)?
Nick @ Mar 28th 2008 2:57PM
Cars with this much performance shouldn't suffer the ignominy of having their rigidity halved. Look at the total disasters that are the S4 and RS4 cabriolets.
nagmashot @ Mar 29th 2008 12:44AM
50% of all supersportcars sold word wide are open top..
nagmashot @ Mar 29th 2008 12:49AM
to the article... audi never claimed how they open the R8...
Auto Motor und Sport claimed that the planed R8 Roadster come to market in May 2009 and that most likely the selling name will be R8 Targa.
Audi has enough experience with open top midengine sportscars. Every single Lamborghini Gallardo chassie is completely build in Germany and is completely painted delivered from the Audi plant in Ingolstadt to Lamborghini in Italy were the boys there only need to stick the parts together..
Most likely they choose the Targa version in order not to hurt Gallardo Spyder sales.
Miguel @ Mar 30th 2008 3:03AM
Doesn't that technically make it NOT a cabrio?