Audi R8 Spyder test

AUDI R8 SPYDER
Who couldn’t resist getting behind the wheel of Audi’s new topless R8…this Spyder could very likely spin a web over the rather closed convertible super car segment.

Before evoking its lines, it is hard to resist the call of the 5.2-litre direct injection V10 engine that literally catapults you from one corner to the next…When it comes to acceleration the R8 Spyder more than holds its own.

Every single one of the R8 Spyder’s 525 brake horsepower is transmitted to the road thanks to the tried and true Quattro that is to be experienced without moderation. But let’s not exaggerate either, because if you try to drive it without the electronic aids this Spyder can and will bite you.


Its hoarse sound in low revs is very 5-clynider like, but the R8 Spyder then roars when the double butterfly valves open fully as you head towards 6000 rpm, but it still hasn’t reached its full potential. In a word, the R8 is awesome but it is anything but easy. Early on you have to force yourself to approach the red zone in the intermediate gears.

What better local to admire the seducing lines of the R8. Born in 2007 as a coupe it hasn’t aged a bit and its cat like features are a blend of beauty and beast.


In the conversion from coupe to convertible this V10 version has shed the famous “Side blades” and sports a carbon fibre engine cover with a very racy air intake.

The sport theme continues in the interior. The aluminium grill gear pattern is classic Ferrari, but don’t forget this is an Audi…and there is plenty of carbon fibre and leather to go round.



With the top up the engine sound is less noticeable than a coupe but you just have to roll down the rear quarter panel window to experience the awesome roar of the V10.

Thanks to a very generous use of carbon fibre and aluminium, the Spyder is only 100 kilos heavier than the coupe, tipping the scales at 1720 kilograms.

Although it must be said; the R8 isn’t necessarily at ease on these types of roads but on the world famous Col du Turini we did find its strongest assets: efficiency and easiness of use.

The –on option- ceramic brakes are always at the ready - and have almost too much bite at low speeds. The clutch is remarkably smooth. On the other hand, you have to drive at a decent speed to use the heal toe method to assure a smooth gear change.

For those who don’t want to play race car driver on longer drives, the manual gearbox, preferred by purists, diminishes comfort…some perhaps would prefer a sequential gearbox.

And we’ll leave you with the last bit of information…the base price of the R8 Spyder is 162,300 Euros…yes we said the base price!