Thursday 9th September 2010

New V8 Option For Audi R8 Spyder

Newly uprated 4.2 litre V8 makes 424hp - and the Coupe gets it too

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The delectable Audi R8 Spyder range has been broadened with a new generation 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol engine to run alongside the existing 5.2-litre V10 FSI.

The latest version of the dry-sumped 4.2-litre FSI V8, (which will be shared with the Coupe), complies with EU5 emissions limits with the help of a new recuperation system that conserves energy during coasting and braking. Its increased 424hp output (previously 414hp) peaks at 7,900rpm, with maximum torque of 317lb ft arriving at 4,500rpm.

In conjunction with both the standard six-speed manual transmission and the optional six-speed S tronic automated manual, Audi says the R8 Spyder V8 can sprint to 62mph from rest in 4.8 seconds, and "in the appropriate circumstances" manage a top speed of 186mph.

The new Spyder version gets essentially the same spec as the V8-powered R8 Coupe, but with heating and electric adjustment for the seats, plus Bluetooth mobile phone preparation incorporating seatbelt-mounted microphones which make it possible to talk on the phone even with the top down on the motorway. Metallic paint is also added over and above the R8 V8 specification.

The new R8 Spyder V8 is priced at £95,545 for the six-speed manual version and £100,855 for the six-speed R tronic automated manual. UK customer deliveries will begin in January 2011.

[Waugh-terfall]

An R8 Spyder for poor people! Errrrr, yeah, I did wonder why there was no V8 option thus far... Must say, it looks great in brown and really liking those new wheels, same as the RS 5?

[djon]

Waugh-terfall said:

Stuff...and really liking those new wheels, same as the RS 5?

Not sure but they're pretty tasty, nicer than the V10's IMO.

[nonuts]

Don't mind which engine, but WANT.

[goron59]

So which is it: R-tronic or S-tronic?

[V88Dicky]

Good to see. Those wheels are much nicer than the efforts on the V10, and, outright performance aside, I prefer the sound of Audis V8

[djon]

goron59 said:

So which is it: R-tronic or S-tronic?

I thought the R-tronic was just the newer name for the S?

[David87]

So I wonder if this extra 10bhp can be had out of the RS4 then?

[NickHKent]

Love the wheels, the ones on the V10 are terrible.

[Milks]

10bhp probably swallowed up by the weight of the gay-time running lights and other chintsy tat

cool car but it needs a focused version

[Waugh-terfall]

djon said:

goron59 said:

So which is it: R-tronic or S-tronic?

I thought the R-tronic was just the newer name for the S?

As far as I know, S-Tronic is Audi-speak for DSG, R-Tronic is just an automated manual? Something along the lines of the Lamborghini E-Gear type thing...

[Waugh-terfall]

Milks said:

10bhp probably swallowed up by the weight of the gay-time running lights and other chintsy tat

cool car but it needs a focused version

You mean like the R8 GT?



Actually, my own Flickr is my friend, they ARE the same as the RS 5, (the furthest car)

Edited by Waugh-terfall on Thursday 9th September 13:07

[magnus911]

Isn't 0-62 in 4.8 seconds a bit slow for a 100k car in this bracket?

[ManOpener]

David87 said:

So I wonder if this extra 10bhp can be had out of the RS4 then?

Already got it out of the RS5, not sure how though. RS4 not been in production since 2008.

Milks said:

10bhp probably swallowed up by the weight of the gay-time running lights and other chintsy tat

cool car but it needs a focused version

R8 Clubsport perhaps?

[Dracoro]

magnus911 said:

Isn't 0-62 in 4.8 seconds a bit slow for a 100k car in this bracket?

0-60 figures tell you little, it may have a long 1st gear for example. 30-70 or 0-100 will be more informative.

[450Nick]

The torque figure on that V8 looks a bit limp wristed...!

[oagent]

how long until the TDi version?

[Mr Whippy]

450Nick said:

The torque figure on that V8 looks a bit limp wristed...!

It has plenty of revs though, which mean ample torque at wheels.

I don't get why they don't add some kind of clutch raping launch control... I can't understand how the 911's get to 60mph so briskly vs these R8's... V10 and V8

Not that it's so important to me, but just an observation.

Dave

[Dr G]

Porsche's PDK box helps a LOT in the 60 sprint - there's a Chris Harris video of 911 Turbo S PDK vs GTR vs R8 V10 Spider 6sp (Evo on Youtube) demonstrating just how hard they get off the line versus a manual.

[Waugh-terfall]

oagent said:

how long until the TDi version?

Whatever happened to that R8 V12 TDI? Must be getting on for 2 or 3 years since EVO tested the prototype...

[vintageracer01]

Generally a V8 sounds much nicer then a 10-pot.