Audi R8 Spyder revealed

Revealed this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Audi R8 Spyder adds fresh air to the car that has become something of an icon for the brand — and a reminder of their run of success on the Le Mans 24 track.

While there were early rumours the convertible would have a removable targa panel, the Spyder follows the rest of the Audi stable in opting for a soft roof rather than a metal folder.

But the body has undergone some changes in the translation, the most noticeable of which is the absence of the ‘sideblades’ Audi used to accelerate recognition of the R8.

Often a coupe design loses its way when reworked into a convertible, but Audi has managed to develop this project into a car that works well visually. Largely hand-built, the redesigned flanks have been sculpted from carbon fibre composite, as has the cover over the roof storage compartment behind the twin cockpit, from which bulge twin arched cowls slashed across with large air vents.

The R8 Spyder will go on sale in Europe with a 156,000 euro price tag (about $264,000), which is a premium of 14,000 euro ($24,000) over the coupe, but extra tariffs in Australia could increase that margin in our market.

As expected, the Spyder carries the hero engine; a direct-injected 5.2-litre developing 386kW of power at a high-revving 8000rpm — and not hitting the limiter until 700rpm later — coupled with 530Nm of torque at 6500rpm.

The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission — but there will also be the option of the six-speed R-tronic offered with the R8 coupe — permanently driving all four wheels with Audi’s 57:43 rear-biased quattro system.

With the self-shift, the fuel consumption is posted as 14.9L/100km/h, while the automatic drops that by a litre.

With Audi’s aluminium ‘space’ frame and a host of attention paid to paring poundage wherever possible, the Spyder tips the scales at 1720kg, about 100kg more than the coupe but still giving it a healthy power-to-weight ratio. It will hit the 100km/h line at 4.1 seconds (just 0.2) behind its sibling, and the Spyder’s top speed is also 3km/h behind at 313km/h.

The 10-spoke 19-in wheels wear 235/35 front rubber and 295/30 rear, but 305/30 is on the option list, as are carbon-fibre ceramic brakes to replace the standard eight/four piston discs. And a ‘launch control’ clutch control function will optimise getting the wheels rolling off the line.

The standard suspension system will be Audi’s ‘magnetic ride’ — which allows you to adjust the alignment of ferrous molecules suspended in fluid to alter the damping — but a more conventional sports system is an option.

The acoustic-layered electric soft top takes 19 seconds to operated and can be opened or closed up to 50km/h, while cabin comfort will be helped with a wind deflector and heated rear window.

And of course, there is long and stacked equipment list and fit-out features — three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, low-slung power seats, Bang & Olufsen audio system, lap timer and leather everywhere possible — while still leaving room for special options, including a world-first seatbelt microphone for the hands-free unit.

It’s a stunning car, and a powerful one. But is there a danger of the convertible being seen more as a fashion item and taken less seriously — a matter of concern for a brand keen to establish its ‘supercar’ credentials?

That shouldn’t be a problem, says Audi Australia spokesperson Anna Burgdorf. “Has being convertible hurt Ferrari and Lamborghini,” she asks.

But those two exotic badges hold their own particular territory, whereas Audi is marking out new ground. How much the R8 Spyder helps them stake those particular claims remains to be seen.

But one thing is certain. They’ve just made a fair bid for the hearts and wallets of those who want to be seen and can afford to do it in style.

Read more stories from the Frankfurt Motor Show