VIDEO: Audi R8 Spyder uncorks its V10 on the Nürburgring
2011 Audi R8 Spyder - Click above to watch a video after the jump
We're definitely looking forward to our first official glimpse at the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder, but unfortunately, we don't know exactly when that will happen. While it was widely expected to bow at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September, we've recently heard that it could show its V10-only face as late as Detroit in January.
Fear not, though, because we've got some high-quality footage of the R8 Spyder as it takes its 525 horsepower whoopin' stick to the Nürburgring. Hit the jump to view the future crown jewel of the Audi lineup as it comes hard after some of the most famous curves in the history of race tracks. If seeing the uncovered R8 Spyder on the track isn't exhilarating enough for you, make sure to turn up the volume. The sinister growl emanating from the rear of Audi's supercar in waiting is enough to send chills down the spine. We like.
Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
Source: Auto Wereld via Jalopnik]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Josh 1:04PM (6/23/2009)
Fantastic sound! I still like these more than the lamborghini's they share a price level with...
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zamafir 1:15PM (6/23/2009)
I had a chance to talk to someone who's driven this car today, he couldn't stop grinning, said the way it pins u back in the seat is much more impressive than the V8 R8 (duh) and that the lack of a roof really makes that v10 howl.
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doc b 7:31PM (6/23/2009)
exactly man.
no roof.
blasting through a tunnel.
i've been holding onto my RS4 and waiting for this to be released.
there was speculation it would be at NAIAS (it wasn't).
there was speculation it would be at Geneva (it wasn't).
now the speculation it will be at Frankfurt. God I hope so.
Other Man 1:18PM (6/23/2009)
I still recall when the Audi engineer or whatever claimed that the new R8 V10 FSI Quattro would be GT-R-quick around the Nürburgring. The story was posted on Autoblog, too.
Now the car has hit the road, they're moving on to the Sypder, and they aren't offering any lap time that I heard of.
Still would've liked to have seen the RS TTV-10 in here so as to compete more with the 911 Turbo (or squash it, that is).
Awesome car!
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BigMcLargeHuge 1:26PM (6/23/2009)
They claimed that back before the TT V-10 caught fire. Who knows, maybe they had a shot if they could keep that engine cool.
In any case, Audi almost never posts factory laps. They just let Sport Auto and Autobild do the reporting.
Maybe it's to sound 'objective' or maybe just to add to the mystique about how fast they really are (factory laps are usually faster than independent laps) and keep us guessing.
BigMcLargeHuge 1:31PM (6/23/2009)
Actually checking the dates, it appears you are correct. Someone at Audi did claim the V10 FSI would beat the ZR1's record last July.
Almost a year after they had abandoned the TFSI.
Kings to you, other man.
JF 2:00PM (6/23/2009)
Too bad its not a removable hard top IMO. Soft tops just always look so cheap when they're up.
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doc b 7:24PM (6/23/2009)
I respectfully disagree. Softtops are much more distinguished than the hardtops which have become so fashionable recently.
Every line on the M3 and 335 convertible, just looks terrible. The ass on the Ferrari California is an abomination, because they had to hide all that gear in there. The Lexus SC...seriously, do I need to say more?!?
Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo,...really any convertible you've every truly lusted after has a soft top.
I'll grant you the Benz SL hardtops are very nice.
doc b 11:29PM (6/23/2009)
ooooh. "removable hard top". i just noticed that.
forgive me
Fink 2:29PM (6/23/2009)
This video I'm 90 percent sure is not spy video, but a CGI vid probaby from Polyphony with Audi's permission. Remember when they released images of the GT-R still wearing its nose mask through Gran Turismo. I think Audi is doing the same with the R8 Spyder. I might be wrong but something about that vid looks a little to video game like.
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Eric Smith 2:38PM (6/23/2009)
Initially when I saw the image without reading the headline, I thought, "Awesome! New Forza stuff". Then I read the headline.
But after watching the video, it's clear it isn't CGI and most definitely is not out of Gran Turismo 5 or any other video game for that matter. The trees and other foliage near the camera are a dead giveaway, no racing video game would bother to render those so well as it'd just be a waste. I don't even know if Crysis renders plants that well.
Azmati 2:54PM (6/23/2009)
I think you need to lay of the drugs.
Besides, if Polyphony had anything to do with it, it would sound like a 4 cylinder, and you'd hear the infamous high pitched tire squeal. As if the tires had absolutely no grip. From the original Gran Turismo. It would also only be running at 30 fps, and look rigid/plasticy as hell.
Nice video though.
turbo-quattro 4:02PM (6/23/2009)
Not a chance. They wouldnt bother to make the tall grass in the corner of the shot so realistic looking and blow in the wind like that. Plus, if it was CGI the camera motion would likely be smooth and robotic, unlike this how it jerked and wobbled like a human was holding it. CGI has come a long way, but I highly doubt this is a CGI video.
mike 6:50PM (6/23/2009)
I think the reason it looks CGI is because of the matte black paint. It looks a bit like how cars in video games are painted.
JohnnyG 3:36PM (6/23/2009)
I also thinks this looks a little to much like CGI. The way the car is moving in that environment looks too unnatural to me. In web advertising we work with a lot of CGI and this looks exactly like it was done in CGI to me.
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Geekengineer 5:20PM (6/23/2009)
CGI? Really?
Some digital artist would think to put the sun's glint at the right place at the right time, with the absolutely correct lens flare? And I'm not talking about the super duper JJ Abrams Star Trek lens flare - I'm talking subtle spikes.
Is it too hard to imagine the car is well-sorted, and is being controlled by an excellent driver?
Good god... simply amazing. The car, the video, and the conspiracy theories.
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RWD 4:16PM (6/23/2009)
It's not CG people. Unless someone took a shot from the real nurburgring (hand held I might add), rotoscoped it, added the most realistic rendering that has ever been created, then added the real sound (also all that wind noise). And what? Audi licensed the car to be modeled, the studio got some serious sound recording time with the real car... And the only camera angles they came up with to show off the best car modeling ever were those shaky handycam shots from outside the retaining walls? Some of which they used several times? And AUDI put all this effort into a 90 second amateur looking web video?
Rediculous. It's real.
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Kill The Fanboys 4:41PM (6/23/2009)
that made me weak in the knees
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ropeburn 4:56PM (6/23/2009)
I love it.... but I think I wanna hear that big Audi V8 again...
maybe with the AWE exhaust.... it screams with that setup.
what a sweet car.... hope it arrives in the US just as bad azz
as it should be
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Cai 5:54AM (6/24/2009)
Just my 2 cents, but I feel that the R8 is distinctive due to its sideblades. Without the sideblades, the R8 Spider looks like a souped-up and glorified TT Roadster.
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