For the first time Audi is offering a V8 engine in the R8 Spyder. The engine is an updated and more powerful unit that will also be fitted to the R8 coupé.
The capacity of the dry-sump V8 is still 4.2-litres, but power is up by 10- to 424bhp - maximum torque is unchanged at 317lb.ft. The V8 is now Euro 5 compliant and features an energy recuperation system. Manual and R tronic automated manual transmissions are available. Audi's performance claims are the same regardless of the gearbox with 0-62mph taking 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 186mph.
The rest of the package should be familiar to anyone with experience of the
V10 Spyder; including the electro-hydraulically operated roof that can be operated at speeds up to 31mph. Compared to the
V8 coupé, the interior gains heating and electric adjustment for the seats and Bluetooth with a seatbelt-mounted microphone for hands-free phone conversations. Finally, metallic paint is standard on the Spyder.
The first V8 Spyders are due to arrive in the UK in January 2011 priced at £95,545 for the manual version with the R tronic transmission adding £5,310 to that figure. Those costs take into account the 20 percent VAT rate that comes into effect next year.
John Lambert - 10 Sep 2010