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Preview: Audi R8 ‘Spider’ convertible

 
21 49,527 views Dec 1, 2008
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audi r8 spider spy shots nurburgring 001

2010 audi r8 spider preview 002

2010 audi r8 spider preview 002

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The convertible version of Audi’s R8 supercar has been spotted testing in Germany without a hint of camouflage material. These images of a prototype, plus a new computer generated preview, reveal that the convertible will gain a conventional fabric roof but misses out on the R8’s trademark aluminum side blades.

Other major changes for the new 'Spider' that are expected to make it to production will be additional air intakes located behind the seats as well as a pair of safety roll-over bars. The placement of the fuel filler cap will also be changed due to the missing rear pillars, while changes under the sheetmetal will likely include extra chassis strengthening.

While the base model will likely stick with the hard-top’s 420hp (313kW) 4.2L V8 engine, there’s talk that Audi may shoehorn the 5.2L V10 from the S6 and S8 sports-saloons into a mid-level model and reserve the 5.0L twin-turbo V10 from the RS6 for a high-performance RS-variant.


The differences between the RS-variant and the standard V8 model will extend beyond just horsepower outputs. The chassis has reportedly been modified to accommodate the extra power, gaining upgraded suspension, steering and braking systems.

This particular test car is thought to be the top end RS version. Tell-tale signs are the exhaust pipe and diffusers, which are the same as those fitted to Audi’s other V10 models, as well as the new grille design. Onlookers even claimed the test car had the sound of a V10 and not a V8.

The R8 Spider is expected to make its debut next year, most likely at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Audi R8 Spider at the Nurburgring
Audi R8 Spider spy shots
Audi R8 Spider rendering

Audi R8 Spyder spied

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HI-RES GALLERY: 2011 audi r8 spyder spy shots june 011

HI-RES GALLERY: 2010 audi r8 spider preview 002




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Comments (21)

  1. Gus Posted: 8/6/2007 3:19pm PDT

    Ooooooh, pretty.
    So I wouldn't be able to go all the way to 301km/h? That really sucks since I do that all the time in the States... :)
     
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  2. Andy Posted: 8/6/2007 3:45pm PDT

    photoshop
     
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  3. ultima Posted: 8/6/2007 6:51pm PDT

    Andy may be the most astute person on the planet right now, he deserves some kind of medal.

    Nice rendering by the way, but i think with my money id go with one of the other supercar manufacturers - audi is a bit watered down for me
     
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  4. duh Posted: 8/6/2007 9:48pm PDT

    yes, it is photoshop, that's why it says "drawing" has been leaked, not "photos."

    it is a great car though, and I think ultima is missing the point a bit. It's not a supercar like a ferrari/lambo/koneiggsegg(ha, that's spelled wrong for sure)/zonda/whatever you think of when you think supercar. It's an everyday supercar, along the likes of a porsche 911. Which is what it almost directly competes with, perhaps a half step up as far as power and price go. The reason it's so hard to think of things to compare it to is that there isn't anything. The 911 has held the everyday supercar niche alone for quite some time now.
     
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  5. addy Posted: 8/7/2007 3:20am PDT

    amazing and i agree with duh
     
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  6. Daniel Posted: 8/7/2007 8:50am PDT

    Oh my dear. They even forgot to remove the stones behind the windshield...
     
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  7. Jay Posted: 8/7/2007 10:32am PDT

    Haha nice spot. Perhaps the renderign artist was a bit lazy that day!
    Anyway at least we can see the rest of the car fine and it does look quite impressive.
     
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  8. Gus Posted: 8/7/2007 11:57am PDT

    It would be my first choice for a 2-seat roadster, having seen all the reviews about how smooth the ride is while still being responsive, the tractable power, the 4 wheel drive, and so on and so on.
    Here in Newport Beach, CA I'm sure we'll see a few to drool over...
     
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  9. R-eight Posted: 5/2/2008 4:02am PDT

    Lucky me to live in the town where these lovely cars are produced. So the place is full of R8s at the moment and can't wait for the Spyder to show up. It's just an adorable piece of work.
     
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  10. --Graham-- Posted: 8/12/2008 1:52pm PDT

    man that R8 in the photo's is awesome, the flat black looks good, it is almost like a titanium edition R8, and the convertible top looks alot better than i thought it would. I am expecting this version to be sold out for another 2-3 years like the current R8 is
     
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  11. Layne Posted: 8/12/2008 2:09pm PDT

    That flat black looks downright sexy!
     
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  12. andras Posted: 8/15/2008 2:13pm PDT

    Still one of the hottest cars ever built.
     
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  13. InkMaster Posted: 8/15/2008 3:22pm PDT

    Anyone has any ideas on what this may retail for?
     
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  14. Gus Posted: 8/15/2008 7:58pm PDT

    Still can't get over the slightly, just ever so slightly awkward shape.
    Saw one in person down the street at the Ferrari dealer the other day:

    http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh67/chybagus/IMG_5848copy.jpg

    Doesn't quite give off that supercar, breathtaking "vibe" like a Lambo or Ferrari. Maybe it's a German thing, too perfect, somewhat passoinless design, I don't know.
     
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  15. Kevin Posted: 8/21/2008 9:07pm PDT

    I agree with the other posters - very impressive looking in that flat black color. The great thing about this roadster concept is that they have done away with that awkward "blade" that cut vertically across the sides. I've always thought the R8 looked awkward and lumpy because of this. In this droptop guise it's actually a great looking car!
     
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  16. Gus Posted: 8/28/2008 4:14pm PDT

    Yeah, you're right, I hadn't noticed that!

    I really look forward to seeing one in person with the top down.
     
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  17. CK Posted: 8/28/2008 10:47pm PDT

    Well Kevin then think that we life in a global world and that the Lambos for instance are designed by a belgium who has got this job because of guys at Audi ;) So no cool italian designer behind that.
    The german passion is just differend. More refined than raw.
     
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  18. ma_azlan avatar azlan Posted: 12/11/2008 4:19am PST

    this is cool for cruisin along the beach or sumthin but for supercars i dont see the point in making it a convertible. there ***.
     
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  19. Rob Posted: 1/22/2010 1:39pm PST

    The Audi R8 has been a huge hit both for drivers and model car collectors. The very subtle-colored metallic white above gives it that very high-tech look. If you've seen the model makers versions of these cars online, you'd have a very hard time telling the difference from the real thing. By far, the best designed car Audi has ever made.
     
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  20. Rob Posted: 1/22/2010 1:40pm PST

    One thing I might add. The number of replicas of the Audi R8 models advertised on the web have doubled every month from last May to October.
     
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  21. Roger Posted: 3/14/2010 8:20pm PDT

    its weird all of you are talking about this prototype or new pics of the new audi r8 convertible 2010, when a week ago I saw a silver one in belleville N.J. driving around going towards Newark like always a white young guy was driving it. I do have to say it was very nice but for a new car one of its $900.00 headlights or more where burn out lol there goes your $150,000 U.S.A. dollar car.
     
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