From today devotees of the gloriously vocal ten-cylinder engine at the heart of the all-new Audi R8 will be able to revel in the roar even more completely by opting for the latest open-air R8 Spyder.
Priced from £129,990 OTR, the new addition to the second generation R8 range can convert to sun-seeking mode in just 20 seconds, leaving occupants to enjoy the elements to the increasingly rare tune of a naturally aspirated V10 soundtrack. The basic format may be familiar, but the ground-up rework of the R8 Spyder brings it very much up to date not only by adding more power and a 50 per cent uplift in torsional rigidity, but also sophisticated new features including the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit, the Audi smartphone interface and internet-based Audi Connect services.
The key point of differentiation between Coupe and Spyder R8 models is of course the lightweight, fully automated cloth hood, which can be activated at speeds of up to 31mph and is slickly concealed beneath the sculpted integral cover, or reattached to shield occupants from a sharp shower, in just 20 seconds. The rear window, sunk into the bulkhead, can also be retracted and extended at the touch of a button.
The strong backbone of the new R8 Spyder is the newly developed multi-material Audi Space Frame (ASF) which incorporates an intelligent mix of aluminium and carbon fibre that helps to keep dry weight down to just 1,612kg. The inherent strength of the concept is evident in the fact that torsional rigidity has increased by over 50 per cent compared with the previous model, helped by Spyder-specific body reinforcements primarily in the sills, A-pillars and windscreen frame.
The Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system is standard, and offers four modes ranging from overtly dynamic to comfort-oriented. Even greater fine-tuning is available via the optional R8 performance leather steering wheel with its multifunction and satellite controls, one of which provides access to three more driving programs: dry, wet and snow. These match the car’s operating characteristics to the specific conditions of the road being travelled.
Another new highlight in the driver’s field of vision is the large 12.3-inch, fully digital Audi virtual cockpit, which presents all information using rich 3D graphics.
The internet-based services delivered by Audi connect come as standard in the R8 Spyder, as does the intuitively operated MMI navigation plus with MMI touch, the Audi Music Interface and belt microphones which make it even easier to use natural-language voice control and the phone.
The Audi smartphone interface, which made its debut in the Q7 and A4 model lines and has just become a standard feature of the A3, is also adopted by the second generation R8 Spyder. It enables selected content from compatible iOS and Android smartphones to be displayed by the Audi virtual cockpit. The Audi phone box can also be specified to connect mobile phones to the car aerial and charge them inductively, and for audiophiles the optional Bang & Olufsen Sound System now also plays through two loudspeakers mounted in each seat’s headrest, for outstanding sound quality even when driving with the hood down.
