Reviews
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The new Audi R8 loses its head, and we test if it remains as brilliant as ever.
WHAT IS IT? The soft-top variant of the second-generation Audi R8 supercar. Shares the fundamentals – aluminium and carbonfibre spaceframe chassis and 5.2 litre V10 engine – with VW Group brand sibling Lamborghini.
WHY WE’RE DRIVING IT We know the coupe – in both standard and Plus guises – is a sizzling drive. So by what degree do the Spyder’s compromises – less rigidity and more weight – affect this ability? Oh, plus the drive program took in some magnificent roads in the hills above Spain’s Costa Brava, so churlish to say no.
THE WHEELS VERDICT Capable of delivering outstanding supercar duality of character: hushed cruiser with the roof up; barking, corner-blazing animal when the opportunity presets itself.
PLUS: Engine sound and response; dynamics; chassis stiffness; refinement; cabin quality and design. MINUS: Mild low-speed transmission shunt; dozy kickdown when not in dynamic mode.
That figure is the number of seconds it takes the Spyder to transition from hushed, almost coupe-quiet cruiser, to barking, belching backroad blitzer. A mere 20, and it’s happy to do it at up to 50km/h, with the press of one button for the roof, and one button to remap all key vehicle parameters to ‘stun’.
In a crowded segment bristling with talent, the R8 Spyder makes its case not on raw numbers, but surely with what really matters to buyers: sublime quality, shedloads of accessible performance, a thrilling engine note, but also the ability to chill out and catch a few rays on days off.
SPECS Model: Audi R8 Spyder Engine: 5204cc V10 (90 degree), dohc, 40v Max power: 397kW @ 7800rpm Max torque: 540Nm @ 6500rpm Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch Weight: 1795kg (EU; with driver) 0-100km/h: 3.6sec (claimed) Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km Price: $388,500 On sale: mid 2017
