Audi details R8 Spyder V10 Plus

AUDI has revealed the last member of its second-generation R8 family, the Spyder V10 Plus which will sit above the $389,900 plus on-roads V10 Plus coupe when it is expected to arrive in Australia sometime in 2018.

As its name would suggest, the R8 Sypder packs a 5.2-liter V10 engine under its bonnet that, in Plus guise, makes 449kW of power and 560Nm of torque, 52kW/20Nm more than its cheaper V10 sibling.

The naturally aspirated engine, which can rev up to 8700rpm, is mated to a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels via Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Using a water-cooled multi-plate clutch, the all-wheel-drive system is able to send variable amounts of torque to either the front or rear axle, up to 100 per cent in extreme cases.

It can complete the sprint from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.3 seconds, 0.1s off the mark of its coupe twin and 0.3s faster than the Spyder V10, before reaching a top speed of 328km/h.

Fuel economy is a claimed 12.5 litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions stand at 292 grams per km.

The R8 V10 Plus is able to save fuel through the use of cylinder deactivation technology, with one bank of cylinders able to be shut off at low to medium loads.

Audi has also equipped its fastest convertible yet with the ability to decouple the engine at speeds over 55km/h when the accelerator is let off, allowing the car to coast without unintended compression braking.

Tipping the scales at 1587kg dry, the Spyder is 133kg heavier than its coupe sibling, but is 25kg lighter than the Spyder V10.

Audi has opted for a traditional cloth top for the Spyder, which weighs 44kg and uses an electrohydraulic drive to open or close the top, which can be achieved in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.

Weight is saved through the R8’s multi-material space frame which uses aluminium and carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), increasing torsion resistance by 50 per cent over the first-gen R8 while weighing just 208kg.

CFRP elements also feature in the styling including the rear spoiler, sideblades, sill trim and lid on the convertible top compartment.

19-inch hoops with a five twin-spoke design come as standard, wrapped in 245/35 rubber up front and 295/35 at rear. 20-inch rims are an optional extra.

Stopping power comes courtesy of carbon-ceramic disc brakes measuring 308mm with six-piston callipers up front and 356mm, four-pot callipers in the back.

11 regular paint finishes are available, with the roof featuring three different colour choices and five for the side blades.

Inside the cabin, R8 bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather come as standard, while stainless steel and carbon-fibre elements feature throughout.

Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual cockpit is standard on the Spyder V10 Plus, as is the MMI navigation plus with MMI touch infotainment system which plays audio through the Bang & Olufsen sound system.

When it arrives, the Spyder V10 plus will bring the R8 range to four variants, after the V8 powerplant was dropped for the second-generation supercar.

GoAuto has contacted Audi Australia for exact local timing and pricing of the R8 Spyder V10 Plus.