Audi R8 GT gets the Spyder treatment

Audi has confirmed that its flagship supercar, the R8 GT, will now be available in a convertible form called the R8 GT Spyder.

The R8 GT Spyder’s formula is quite simple; less weight and more power. It will develop 560 hp (412 KW) and 540 Nm from the same 5.2 litre V10 engine as the coupe version, and will weigh 85 kilograms less than the standard R8 Spyder. This allows a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 317 km/h (196.97 mph).

Audi engineers have been able to shave off most of the extra 85 kilos (1,640 kg total) through the use of a hand assembled Audi Space Frame (ASF) body which consists of cast nodes, extruded sections and aluminium panels. The rest of the weight saving comes from a magnesium engine-frame, carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) panels and spoilers, CFRP rear bumper, glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bucket seat chassis’, trimmed technical components and a lightweight fabric soft top that can be brought up or down in 19 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h.              

Exterior changes on the R8 GT Spyder include various titanium gray parts, a dual lip front splitter, red GT badges, a bigger diffuser and dark LED tail lights. The black interior features a 100 litre storage compartment in the front end, a choice of titanium gray or crimson stitching, navigation system, lap timer, Bang & Olufsen sound system and Bluetooth interface.

Just like the hardtop, the R8 GT Spyder will be limited to 333 units. Its base price in Germany will be 207,800 euros.