Wednesday 14th June 2017

Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus announced

Could a flagship drop-top be the pick of the new R8 range?

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This is a coincidence, honest. Only yesterday we wrote about an R8 V10 Plus and here we are today with, er, another R8 V10 Plus. Sorry about that. It just wasn't expected this early...

Just in case they haven't heard you coming...

The R8 Spyder V10 Plus is the latest addition to the current R8 range, matching the 610hp of the coupe version and also featuring standard ceramic brakes and some carbon body parts too.

Now the 5.2-litre V10 is a big part of the appeal - indeed an "object of fascination", according to Audi - and so it's worth going into a little more detail. Peak power is made at 8,700rpm - eight seven! - and peak torque of 413lb ft is at 6,500rpm. It's the most powerful series production Audi engine too, a token 5hp ahead of the V8 in the RS6 Performance. Like the coupe the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is standard, contributing to a 0-62mph time of 3.3 seconds and a 204mph top speed.

20 seconds down, 20 seconds up again

Otherwise it's familiar from the R8 coupes and Spyders we've seen thus far, with carbon reinforced plastic used for the sideblades, sills and spoilers, those carbon ceramic brakes (380mm front discs, 356mm rear) and forged alloy wheels. For what it's worth, the R8 Spyder V10 Plus is said to weigh 1,587kg dry, 25kg less than a V10 Spyder; the brakes and wheels contribute to that, as do standard carbon-backed seats.

In fact the newest part of this Audi is the paint, the 'micrommata green' option now introduced and not dissimilar to the green seen on the AMG GT R. UK prices for both the paint and the car are due soon - more news when it's available.

 

[Adz The Rat]

Well thats a bit of a kick in the nuts to anyone who bought the 540PS Spyder!

[Maldini35]

1,587kg dry - What's that become with some oil, water and fuel in it? Must be over 1600kg

It's not an ugly car but that shot of the side profile makes it look very high sided and heavy





Is it just me or does that driver have a pin-head?

Edited by Maldini35 on Wednesday 14th June 14:59

[TomQ2711]

I think I actually prefer the look of this over the Mclaren 570s Spider that was just announced :0

[Housey]

Sadly you have to buy them and service them via an Audi dealer and that's where to whole super car experience goes 5hite.

[Housey]

Maldini35 said:

Is it just me or does that driver have a pin-head?

That is hilarious! He's a Borrower

[CanningTown]

Fabulous thing. Love the green too.

[nyxster]

Housey said:

Sadly you have to buy them and service them via an Audi dealer and that's where to whole super car experience goes 5hite.

This.

[James_B]

Have they found room for any storage yet?

I've an old R8 coupe, and we can fit two carry-on cases, a couple of umbrellas, a messenger bag and a few bottles of wine behind the seats, leaving the front storage for any extra bits and pieces that we need, such as about thirty bottles of champagne to bring home.

The spider had (had?) no space at all behind the seats, meaning that we can't both take a decent sized bag away for the weekend. Given that (for me) much of the point is going somewhere nice and needing a little bit of luggage the spider just doesn't work.

[Rich_W]

Maldini35 said:

1,587kg dry - What's that become with some oil, water and fuel in it? Must be over 1600kg

It's not an ugly car but that shot of the side profile makes it look very high sided and heavy





Is it just me or does that driver have a pin-head?

Edited by Maldini35 on Wednesday 14th June 14:59

It's a ste Photoshop is why it looks strange.

[Evilex]

Housey said:

That is hilarious! He's a Borrower

I think the technical term is "taken without owner's consent"!

Looks like Bruce Banner is sitting in the Incredible Hulk.

[Tuvra]

TomQ2711 said:

I think I actually prefer the look of this over the Mclaren 570s Spider that was just announced :0

Bravo Audi, Bravo!!

I'll take mine in black/grey with the most lairy coloured interior they do

[Krikkit]

James_B said:

Have they found room for any storage yet?

I've an old R8 coupe, and we can fit two carry-on cases, a couple of umbrellas, a messenger bag and a few bottles of wine behind the seats, leaving the front storage for any extra bits and pieces that we need, such as about thirty bottles of champagne to bring home.

The spider had (had?) no space at all behind the seats, meaning that we can't both take a decent sized bag away for the weekend. Given that (for me) much of the point is going somewhere nice and needing a little bit of luggage the spider just doesn't work.

Nope, according to the site at the moment the current Spyder still has no behind-seat luggage space - I'd imagine it's all the same tub etc, and that the roof goes in the gap that the coupé can then use.

[James_B]

Krikkit said:

Nope, according to the site at the moment the current Spyder still has no behind-seat luggage space - I'd imagine it's all the same tub etc, and that the roof goes in the gap that the coupé can then use.

It's a real shame. I love my coupe, but, given the things I use it for, would actually like a spider. The storage is a killer issue for me, though. There are just too many of the trips that I do where this would not work that I can't get one.

I don't quite understand what it is that others do with supercars with no storage. The new ford GT, for example. For me half the point of a car like this is the thrill of taking it away on a cross-Europe trip, two-up, and without a bit of space inside it's not going to work, especially when the front storage gets so hot.

[kambites]

I suppose this is the beauty of 2+2s like the 911. The rear seats may be a bit pathetic for people but you can get a fair amount of stuff in them.

[Nobby Clark]

That is one lovely looking motor!!