Audi unveils R8 GT Spyder

By Conor Mills

13th June 2011

You’ve already seen Audi’s flagship R8 GT Coupe and last week we brought you exclusive pictures and details on its drop-top sibling. But now we can go one better with the first images of the R8 GT Spyder in the metal.

Unveiled last weekend at the Le Mans 24-hour race, Audi treated thousands of motorsport fans to the world debut. And the newcomer got its fair share of attention with its matt grey paint job.

Powered by the same 5.2-litre V10 engine found in the GT coupe, the Spyder takes a mere 3.9 seconds to sprint from 0-62mph, a full tenth of a second faster than its closest rival, the platform sharing Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Performante. At £176,000 the R8 GT Spyder is a mouth-watering £60,000 more expensive than the standard R8 Spyder, but it is £10,000 less than the lightweight Lambo.

As we reported in our recent story, Audi has worked hard to strip away 85kg of weight by using carbon-fibre reinforced body panels, new lightweight bucket seats and even a thinner windscreen, but despite the crash diet, the R8 still weighs in some 155kg more than the 1,485kg Lamborghini.

At the back is where the most significant styling modifications have taken place. There is now a sporty carbon-fibre fixed wing, and a formula one style rear diffuser inspired by Audi's R8 LMS racing cars. Torque peaks at 540Nm, while horsepower is rated at 552bhp. Unfortunately like the Coupe version, the Spyder will only be available with the electroniucally controlled six-speed paddle-shift gearbox, paired to an all-wheel drive and the ride height has been lowered by a full 10mm. And carbon ceramic brakes are standard along with 19-inch wheels.

Like the Coupe version, Audi plans on limiting production to 333 individually marked versions and the first deliveries of the ultimate Audi Spyder are due to start later this year.