Spied: Audi R8 Spider
August 23, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
The convertible version of Audi’s R8 supercar has been spotted testing in Germany without a hint of camouflage material. These latest images of the test car reveal that the new convertible will gain a conventional fabric roof but misses out on the R8’s trademark aluminium side blades.
Other major changes for the new Spider that are expected to make it to production will be additional air intakes located behind the seats as well as a pair of safety roll-over bars.
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.
While the base model will likely stick with the hard-top’s 420hp (313kW) 4.2L V8 engine, there’s talk that Audi may shoehorn the 5.2L V10 from the S6 and S8 sports-saloons into a mid-level model and reserve the 5.0L twin-turbo V10 from the RS6 for a high-performance RS-variant.
The differences between it and the standard V8 model will extend beyond just horsepower outputs. The chassis has reportedly been modified to accommodate the extra power, gaining upgraded suspension, steering and braking systems.
This particular test car is thought to be the top end RS version of the new R8.
Tell-tale signs are the exhaust pipe and diffusers, which are the same as those fitted to Audi’s other V10 models, as well as the new grille design. Onlookers even claim the test car had the sound of a V10 and not a V8.
Print it: 
As someone said the last time you spied this car… Does it come in that matte black :o
Hmmm, much prefer the tin top. That whole shape with the air-dam just after the door from sill to roofline is one of the best visual features of the R8 to me. You lose that with the spider.
I am yet to see a rag top convertible sports car like this that I would actually consider buying – not only because you often pay a premium over the hardtop coupes but because as these cars were initially designed to be hardtop coupes and by cutting the roof of you ruin the aerodynamics as well as the overall look of the car
Then theres the point that when they have the roof down they make you look like a Pimp [if youre a bloke] or a Hooker [if your a woman].. like a young woman I saw getting into a Yellow Porsche Boxster S Cabrio in WA a couple of weeks ago
Hardtop Coupe = style Cabriolet Coupe = tacky sleazy
I agree. When car companies use taglines like, “the pursuit of passion” or, “the ultimate driving experience” and whatnot and then put about 200 kg of unnecessary leather and seat heaters and rip the roof off, one has to question their commitment to performance. Just admit it’s an overpriced car for knobs with too much money.
Audi shouldn’t have bothered with the cabriolet. R8 was fine the way it was.
“the ultimate driving experience” – Doesnt mean to performance, im sure it means the whole package…
to own a convertible is a lifestyle.
for instance, if one where to live on the coast or near the beach or something. its a way of living and something to become accustomed too.
i think owning a convertible in the city is pointless, but then again some may enjoy open air driving in tunnels :P. but then again in saying that people like to be noticed. so yeh.
could it also perhaps be the open air driving feeling? hmm. maybe. i dunno. i just know i really like that R8!! lol.
Love that Matte Black finish. mmmmm.
But they should still put the aluminium blades on the side. they can but not all the way. just half. would look good. thats the only thing it does’nt look like an R8.
but the rest, yes please !
I’m not so into the convertible version of this car. it doesn’t have the nice even flow as the hard top.