Last month an official drawing of the R8 Spider was leaked, revealing that designers are opting for a removable targa-style roof rather than a complicated and space-consuming folding hardtop or fabric roof. Apart from the missing top, other major changes for the new Spider are the two vented roadster style bumps behind each seat feeding cold air to the engine and the truncated aluminum side blades.
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, adding to the car’s kerb weight. Because of this, top speed will likely be lower than the coupe’s 301km/h rating.
Audi plans to begin sales of the R8 Spider in 2009 with the same 4.2L V8 churning out 420hp as the RS4 and R8 Coupe. Following the arrival of the new R8 Spider, Audi is expected to launch a new RS prepped version of the super-coupe that’s likely to be called the RS-R8.
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, adding to the car’s kerb weight. Because of this, top speed will likely be lower than the coupe’s 301km/h rating.
Audi plans to begin sales of the R8 Spider in 2009 with the same 4.2L V8 churning out 420hp as the RS4 and R8 Coupe. Following the arrival of the new R8 Spider, Audi is expected to launch a new RS prepped version of the super-coupe that’s likely to be called the RS-R8.
