Autoblog

Officially Official: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder loses blades, gains lots of headroom

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Convertible, Performance, Audi

Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder - Click above for high-res gallery

Audi has officially dropped the lid on the new R8 Spyder and and this time around it's opening fire with the big gun V10 engine. As we've already seen in previously leaked photos, the Spyder dispenses with the regular R8's trademark side blades, instead featuring integrated air intakes on the flanks. Those new body sides and the cover for the soft top are now also made of carbon fiber, although the structure underneath remains Audi's aluminum space frame.

In spite of going with a soft top that only weighs 66 pounds, the Spyder gains a significant 476 pounds over the coupe, which may explain why Audi opted for the more powerful engine right off the bat. The Spyder also gets a reinforced bulkhead, sills and center tunnel to maintain most of its structural integrity. The power top opens and closes in only 19 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 31 mph. Acceleration to 62 mph takes just 4.1 seconds and the terminal velocity is 194.5 mph. No U.S. launch date has been given, but we wouldn't expect to see it until at least next spring. Follow the jump for Audi's full press release.

Gallery: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder

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Officially Official: Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder loses blades, gains lots of headroom originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dealer accidently unveils Audi R8 Spyder in classified ad?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Audi, UK

Stafford Audi, a U.K. Audi dealer, placed an advertisement on the popular website Pistonheads for the forthcoming R8 Spider. For a picture of the car, they used an uncamouflaged picture of an R8 Spider from the Iron Man sequel, as you can see from the California license plate that reads "Stark." According to the ad, though, the car was "spotted testing in Germany."

The ad copy goes on to say that the production car will differ from the coupe in the lack of side blades, extra air intakes behind the rear seats, a different location for the fuel filler cap, and the addition of rollover hoops that we assume are hidden until needed.

The car won't make its debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010, but you can deposit down on one right now with Stafford. Estimated price: £105,000 ($177K U.S.).

Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro

[Source: Pistonheads]

Dealer accidently unveils Audi R8 Spyder in classified ad? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Audi R8 Spyder coming in 2011

Noah Joseph — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:27:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Supercars, Audi, Rumormill

Autoblog visits the R8 assembly line in Germany - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Pacified as we've been by the appearance of the 5.2-liter FSI V10 and LMS competition spec versions of the Audi R8, it's been a while since we've heard anything about the roadster version. But reports citing unnamed company insiders suggest that the ruthless roofless supercar is scheduled to hit the market by 2011.

Since Ingolstadt opts to stick with soft-tops on its other convertible models, the R8 Spyder is expected to follow suit in order to save on space and added weight. Earlier reports suggested a partial convertible targa-style roof opening, but the drop-top flagship is likely to get a more conventional and complete solution. The big question mark remains over whether the convertible variant will be limited to the V8 powertrain or whether it will get the more potent 5.2-liter V10... we'd hope that if they can manage to pack it all in behind the buckets, a V10 roadster would prove a delectable alternative to the likes of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster and Ferrari California, to say nothing of the R8's own sister Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder.

[Source: What Car?]

REPORT: Audi R8 Spyder coming in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R8 V10 and Spyder versions to be scarce and dear

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Convertible, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars, Audi

Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi R8

Word has it there is an eight-month waiting list for the Audi R8 in the car's home market of Germany. Here in the good ol' U.S. of A., the 50 units we get per month are not nearly enough for all of the interested buyers. Well, with V10, convertible and possibly diesel versions in the works, we can't imagine that demand will subside anytime soon. You might think that Audi would be smart to amp up production to handle the high demand, especially with those new versions coming soon, but that isn't gonna happen according to Audi. Seems they can only make 27 R8s a ~~month~~ day and no more. That should keep the R8 variations very scarce and very dear.

For those lucky enough to have the coinage and a place in line, there is more news. Car and Driver talked to Michael Dick, Audi's member of the board of management for technical development, who told them the company expects to sell around 80% with V10 flavor. That version goes on sale next year, with drop-tops following soon after in Europe. Yanks will have to wait another year with 2011 models showing up in '10.

Other tidbits gleaned from the interview: Pricing hasn't been set, the diesel might be Euro-only if it even makes it to production, and a little brother R4 was never in the cards with the TT-RS and possible Audi R3 version of the VW roadster filling out the dance card well enough. We'll keep our fingers crossed that there are enough V10s available so we can get one in our garage at least.

Gallery: Review: 2008 Audi R8

[Source: Car and Driver]

Audi R8 V10 and Spyder versions to be scarce and dear originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Oct 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LEAKED: Official Audi R8 Spider sketch

Alex Nunez — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Audi

CAR magazine's "smuggling" operation out of Ingolstadt appears to have been quite fruitful. Following up their scoop on the sworn-to-be-official Audi A1 sketches yesterday, the Brit publication has unleashed salvo number two, an official Audi sketch of the R8 Spider, which is reportedly arriving in 2009. A pair of speedster humps with integrated ventilation for the engine compartment will take position behind the car's two seats, and the large sideblade of the coupe is replaced by a more compact piece that begins aft of the door. In lieu of a folding top, Audi will use a removable targa-style roof to reduce complexity. According to CAR, Audi expects most Spiders to be sold in warm-weather areas where the top is likely to come off and stay off for extended periods, anyway. Miami, your next gotta-have-it ride is on its way. CAR says it has one more surprise in store for us tomorrow (again, via Georg Kacher's top-secret James Bond operation in Ingolstadt). More details at CAR Online.

[Source: CAR Online]

LEAKED: Official Audi R8 Spider sketch originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jul 2007 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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