All You Need to Know About the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder V10

First unveiled at the 2016 New York Auto Show in March, the second-gen R8 Spyder V10, which is lighter, more powerful, and more dynamic than its predecessor, has already been on sale since July in many parts of the world.

And while we can somewhat confirm that the R8 coupe will be arriving on Malaysian shores in 2017, there has not been any announcement on whether the Spyder will be heading our way.

But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have a closer look at what the car has to offer, does it?

On the exterior level, the new R8 Spyder is now 36 mm wider and 14 mm shorter than before, measuring at 4,426 mm long, 1,940 mm wide and 1,244 mm tall. Its wheelbase stretches 2,650 mm long.  

Notable features include the sculpted Singleframe with the honeycomb grille, large air inlets with vertical bars, the wedgeshaped LED headlights, as well as a large diffuser bordered on both sides by trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes.

Weighing at 44 kg, the convertible top of the R8 Spyder further contributes to the low center of gravity of the open-top, high-performance sports car.

An electro-hydraulic drive opens and closes the top in just 20 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h. The rear window is sunk into the bulkhead and can be retracted and extended electrically.

With aluminum components make up 79.6 percent of its weight, the second-gen R8 Spyder tips the scales at just 1,612 kilograms.

The main highlight of the car is definitely the engine. The free-breathing, 5.2-liter engine, which can be optionally amplified by a sport exhaust system with gloss black tailpipe trims, produces 540 hp and 540 Nm of torque.

It is able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds and clock a top speed of 318 km/h. Compared to the outgoing model, the new R8 Spyder kicks out 15 hp more, and does the century sprint 0.2 seconds faster.

Despite being so powerful, the car’s fuel consumption stands at 11.7 liters per 100 kilometers, corresponding to 277 grams of CO2 per kilometer.

Besides that, working behind the V10 there is a seven-speed S tronic gearbox which the driver controls electrically – by wire.

The dual-clutch transmission directs forces to a newly designed quattro drive system with an electro-hydraulically actuated multi-plate clutch at the front axle. In contrast to the previous component, the all-wheel drive clutch, which is water-cooled for maximum performance, distributes the drive torque completely variably depending on the driving situation.

In extreme cases, as much as 100 percent is directed to one axle. A mechanical locking differential on the rear axle provides for outstanding traction and even more dynamic handling. The intelligent control system for the quattro drive is incorporated into the Audi drive select system, which offers four modes ranging from overtly dynamic to comfort-oriented.

In conjunction with the new, optional R8 performance leather steering wheel, there are three more driving programs: dry, wet and snow. They adapt the handling even more precisely to the respective road conditions.

Inside, sport seats with integrated head restraints hold the driver and passenger securely in position. Optionally available are R8 bucket seats, which are even more strongly contoured for even greater lateral hold.

The standard R8 sport leather steering wheel serves as the control center, with two large satellite buttons in addition to the multifunction buttons for telephone, navigation, media and the voice control system. The driver can use these to start and stop the engine and adjust the settings of the driving dynamics system Audi drive select.

The large 12.3-inch, fully digital Audi virtual cockpit presents all information using rich 3D graphics – if desired, in a special performance view. It brings the tachometer into the center and supplies information on the power output and torque of the 5.2 FSI engine, g-forces, lap time and the temperature of the tires, engine and transmission fluid.

The R8 Spyder comes standard with the comprehensive MMI navigation plus including MMI touch. The required information can be found quickly thanks to the free text search, which makes search suggestions after input of just the first few letters.

The natural voice control system understands many terms of everyday speech, which makes using the MMI system even more convenient. Standard seatbelt microphones provide for optimal audio quality, even when the top is down.

Furthermore, MMI navigation plus includes a WiFi hotspot so that passengers can go online with their smartphone, tablet or other devices.

That said, the Audi R8 Spyder V10 is being sold at 179,000 Euros, while the R8 Coupe asks for 166,000 Euros. 

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