Audi has officially unveiled the new R8 Spyder, which will be available to order from late Spring and first deliveries will begin in late 2016.
The Audi R8 Spyder is based on the new R8 but currently only has the option of the standard naturally-aspirated V10, which outputs 532bhp and 398lb/ft of torque, and not the more powerful V10 Plus.
Performance is off the pace of its hard-top cousin, but still brutally rapid. 0-62mph takes 3.6 seconds, while the top speed is 197mph – fast enough to have you removing wildlife from your hair for days.
It is relatively eco-friendly, too, thanks to returning a claimed 24.1mpg and 277g/km of CO2 emissions – efficient for a lightning quick supercar, anyway.
Removing the metal roof and adding in a fabric folding alternative has obviously affected the torsional rigidity, but Audi assures us it has made the new R8 Spyder 50 per cent more rigid than its predecessor. It has also made it somewhat porky, with a dry weight of 1,612kg.
The fabric roof opens and closes at up to 31mph in 20 seconds, folding beneath a sculpted integral cover. The rear window can also be opened and closed using an in-cabin button for more or less of a breeze.
The R8 Spyder shares the same S tronic dual-clutch transmission and quattro all-wheel drive, which can send up to 100 per cent of the power to the front or rear wheels when needed.
Inside is a 12.3-inch digital display for the driver, MMI navigation, MMI search and a Bang & Olufsen sound system as standard, which for the first time includes two head restraint speakers in each seat to improve audio quality when the roof is down.
Here are some pretty pictures while we wait for Audi to announce a price and full UK specs. Be sure to check out our R8 V10 Plus video review in the meantime.
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