Our spies have nabbed the first shots of Audi’s next open-top R8 Spyder that sticks to a traditional fabric top that tucks away under a retractable lid.
Together with the necessary changes to the windshield, the other main difference over the latest R8 coupe is the replacement of the glass panel over the engine bay with a new vented deck and an upright rear window behind the passenger compartment that can be lowered when the top comes down.
Both the coupe and Spyder versions of the second-generation R8 use a lightweight aluminum and carbonfibre-reinforced plastic spaceframe structure that’s related to the one found in the Lamborghini Huracan.
Not surprisingly, the R8 Spyder will offer the same naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engines as the Coupe, with the base version delivering 540PS (533hp) and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque, and the V10 Plus a punchier 610hp and 560 Nm (413.0 lb-ft), both paired exclusively to a 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission driving all-four wheels.
Performance should be very close to the R8 Coupe that hits 100km/h (62mph) in 3.5 sec and reaches 323 km/h (201 mph) in base trim, and in 3.2 sec with a top speed of 323 km/h (201 mph) in V10 Plus guise respectively.
Later on, we should see an entry-level mill added to the range of both the R8 Spyder and Coupe, with some sources pointing to a turbocharged 2.9-liter V6 unit to evade China’s excise tax on cars with a displacement of over 3.0-liters.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoops
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