Audi’s new R8 Spyder V10 Plus wants to bring racing standards to the road. Everything on it is exceptional as standard and the engine’s noise will grab anyone’s attention. It performs 0 – 62 mph in an astonishing 3.3 seconds, making it 0.3 seconds faster. It also breaks the 200 barrier, increasing its top speed by 6 mph to 203 mph. This car is certainly something to be excited by.
That V10 Engine
The new R8 Spyder adopts the 610 PS V10. It is a 5.2 FSI engine, with a high 12.7:1 compression ratio in the plus version. It also gains a 70 PS boost in power and a 20 Nm torque advantage, with a maximum of 560 Nm of torque. This is the most powerful series-production engine yet from Audi. They want you to hear it roar. The car has a quattro drive system and distribution of the drive torque by the clutch is completely variable. In extreme cases, it can send up to 100 percent to one axle.
Light And Efficient
There are various efficiency technologies to excite us in this R8 Spyder. A cylinder on demand (COD) system deactivates one cylinder bank at low to medium loads. There is also dual injection in the intake manifold and combustion chambers. Magnificently, if the driver eases off the accelerator at a speed over 34mph, the engine disconnects from the drive and the car coasts at idle with minimal fuel consumption. As you would hope, there is a start-stop system. Finally, Audi has designed the oil supply according to the dry sump principle, like that of a racing car. It enables the engine to be extremely low and gives the car an extremely low centre of gravity. This, in turn, makes it possible for the car to drive in a way that is sporty and agile.
This R8 Spyder V10 Plus is very light. It weighs only 1,695 kg and dry weight is just 1,587 kg, another 25 kg less than the Audi R8 Spyder V10. The cloth top takes 20 seconds to open or close the top, even while driving at up to 31 mph. It weighs just 44 kg and contributes significantly to the low weight and low centre of gravity of the car. Additionally, the R8 bucket seats, the carbon-ceramic brake system and the 19 inch (optional 20 inch) light-alloy forged wheels also contribute.
Control And Customisation
Audi Drive Select in the R8 Spyder gives drivers a choice of Comfort, Auto, Dynamic and Individual modes. The system can control the use of the accelerator pedal, the seven-speed S tronic, the steering, the flaps of the exhaust system and the optional Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control. The final one varies damping in auto, comfort and dynamic modes, as well as counteracting the tendency of the body to dip.
There are almost limitless possibilities for customising the R8 Spyder V10 Plus. There are 11 regular paint finishes and the palette extends to freely selectable colours and matt-effect paint finishes. The convertible top is available in three colours and the side blades in five. Like the door sill trim, the customer can personalise the side blades with insignia as well as in colours according to their tastes. In addition, parts in carbon or titanium black are available for many areas of the exterior and interior. Numerous upholstery types, inlays, and colours add to the wide range of options. You really are spoilt for choice but there is one feature, in particular, to excite Audi fans…
The R8 Spyder V10 Plus has the option of an exclusive micrommata green design package. The body comes in a distinctive green, while the anthracite grey Singleframe grille and black tailpipe covers create a sharp contrast. Audi exclusive furnishes the interior completely in black, in fine Nappa leather, which is perforated on control elements. Green contrast stitching accents the seats, centre armrests, doors and floor mats with luminous colour that matches the exterior.
Inside The R8 Spyder V10 Plus
Inside, the R8 bucket seats are highly contoured, mounted low and bear the R8 embossing. They are upholstered in fine Nappa leather with special pigmenting that stops them from heating up in the sun’s rays. It’s a small detail but the kind of thing you really appreciate when needed. Decorative inlays are made from carbon and the pedals and footrest are in glossy stainless steel. The defining element is the “monoposto”, a large arc running around the cockpit. The dashboard appears to float weightlessly. Its lower section contains buttons and controls for the air conditioning, shaped like turbines. Never has the word ‘cockpit’ been more appropriate. This seems less like a car, more like a jet engine.
Audi pushes the racing car resemblance of this R8 Spyder, including having a plethora of important functions on the steering wheel. The standard R8 performance leather steering wheel features integrated multifunction buttons as well as two large control satellites. The driver uses these to start and stop the engine and control Audi Drive Select. Two more buttons, including a rotary wheel, control the performance mode and the exhaust flaps.
The large 12.3 inch, fully digital Audi virtual cockpit presents all information using rich 3D graphics. If desired, it can be in a special performance view that puts the focus on the rev counter. It also serves as a gear shift indicator – when the seven-speed S tronic is in manual mode, its scale has a colour background at higher engine speeds. Next to it are indicators showing output, torque, G-forces, lap times and the temperatures of the tyres, engine and transmission oil.
Infotainment And Technology
Tech-wise, there are a few interesting features. The MMI Navigation Plus system has an integrated Wi-Fi hotspot and there are standard seatbelt microphones, for optimal audio quality even when the top is down. The optional Audi Connect module enables fast internet access via LTE. It offers numerous services ranging from navigation with Google Earth and Google Street View to travel and traffic information, as well as point-of-interest searches. In addition, the Audi smartphone interface displays selected content from iOS and Android smartphones. The Bang & Olufsen sound system provides an excellent audio experience as it integrates two head restraint loudspeakers in each seat.
The Audi R8 Spyder V10 Plus is set to be available to order in the UK later this month. Prices start from £147,470 OTR.