New Audi R8 Spyder Drops By New York

With a weight penalty of 158 kg (348 lbs) on top of the coupe, but significantly lighter than its predecessor, the second-gen Audi R8 Spyder celebrated its world premiere in New York.

Presented in base form at the Big Apple event, it tips the scales at 1,612 kg (3,554 lbs), meaning 113 kg (249 lbs) less than what the previous Spyder used to weigh, and in this version, its 532 HP (540 PS) and 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque allow a zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) time of just 3.6 seconds, meaning 0.1 seconds slower than the Coupe.

Behind the V10, there is a familiar 7-speed S tronic gearbox, which sends power to the Quattro all-wheel drive system with an electro-hydraulically activated multi-plate clutch, at the front axle. In extreme cases, up to 100 percent torque can be sent to either the front or the rear wheels. Incorporated into the Audi drive select system, the intelligent control offers four driving modes, from dynamic to comfort-oriented, joined by the three driving programs that will make the machine cope with dry, wet or snow-covered road surfaces.

Underneath its folding fabric roof, which takes 20 seconds to retract and can be opened or closed at speeds up to 31 mph (km/h), Audi has added its large 12.3-inch virtual cockpit, MMI navigation plus with MMI touch as standard, voice control and the firm’s smartphone interface, which makes it possible to display selected content from the device into the virtual cockpit. This will become available as an option, from this summer, on the R8 Coupe too.

The four-ring brand will hand-build the new Audi R8 Spyder at a manufacturing facility near Neckarsulm, Germany, and it will offer it on sale later this year.