Audi reveals R8 Spyder at New York Motor Show

The new Audi R8 Spyder, the soft-top version of the German car maker’s mid-engined flagship model, has made its public debut at the New York motor show.

As sibling to the second-generation R8 coupe, the svelte two-seater is set to go on sale in late 2016, rivalling the recently facelifted Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet. It is expected to have price premium of around £8,700 (Rs 8.56 lakh) over the fixed-head model, which starts at £119,500 (Rs 1.17 crore).

The 2016 R8 Spyder is based around a modified version of the R8’s aluminium and carbonfibre spaceframe body structure, which uses added stiffening measures within the A-pillars, windscreen surround and sills to offset its lack of a fixed roof structure.

Audi claims a 50% increase in overall rigidity and 113kg reduction in kerb weight over its predecessor, launched in 2009.

Wider and shorter than predecessor
At 4426mm in length, 1940mm in width and 1244mm in height, the new Audi is 14mm shorter and 36mm wider than the previous R8 Spyder and the same height. Despite the altered dimensions, it continues to ride on the same 1650mm wheelbase as before.

Its fully automatic roof features two tapering buttresses that extend back over the engine cover at the rear, mimicking the styling treatment of its fixed-head sibling. It opens and closes in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50kph. The fabric structure folds beneath a dedicated tonneau cover behind the two-seat cabin when stowed. The glass rear window can also be automatically extended and retracted within the rear bulkhead.

The R8 Spyder is powered by the same mid-mounted, naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine as the R8 with 532bhp. With a claimed kerb weight of 1612kg, this provides the new Audi with a power-to-weight ratio of 330bhp per tonne. Torque peaks at 398lb ft.

The sturdy reserves are channelled through a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and electrohydraulically operated multi-plated clutch four-wheel drive system, as well as a locking differential at the rear, to all four wheels.

Only 0.1sec slower than R8 coupé
Audi claims a 0-100kph time of just 3.6sec and 198mph/316kph top speed for the R8 Spyder – just 0.1sec and 5kph slower than the 158kg lighter R8 coupé.

A host of fuel-saving features, including a coasting feature that idles the engine on a trail throttle, contributes to a claimed 10% improvement in combined fuel economy over the first-generation R8 Spyder at 24.1mpg/8.5kpl, with CO2 emissions of 277g/km.

A second variant of the R8 Spyder, sporting the more powerful, 601bhp version of the 5.2-litre V10 used in the R8 Plus, is expected in the line-up by the end of 2016.