Just in time for the warmest weather of the year, Audi has unveiled a convertible. And, not just any convertible, but an R8 Plus, which packs an impatiently tuned V10 under the hood. And, Audi’s press release shows the car in a particularly verdant shade of green. But, for U.S. buyers, the model may arrive only in time for Indian summer.
Called the R8 Spyder V10 Plus—to be precise—the new Audi follows on the heels of the coupe which hit showroom floors last year. The engines of the two cars are the same, as expected; but, what an engine: a 5.2L V10 powerhouse which pumps out 610 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. The R8 Spyder Plus can reach a top speed of 204 MPH, and sixty-two MPH in 3.3 seconds from a standstill. The gearbox is a seven-speed Audi S-tronic, and the car features Audi’s Quattro AWD. A center differential selectively shifts power between front and rear, providing greater dexterity and a more comfortable ride during hairier driving sessions.
The R8’s track-evoking design brings the cabin forward, and the Spyder features the strikingly broad R8 grille design, LED headlights and tail lights, a quick-operating ragtop that can operate at up to 31 MPH and features sound-deadening construction for a quiet convertible cabin, and plenty of carbon fiber inside and out.
The Spyder’s cabin features power sport seats, sport steering wheel, and Nappa leather upholstery. Audi’s Virtual Cockpit offers up-to-date connectivity and a 12” digital information cluster, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system features 13 speakers and a 505-watt amplifier.
Hot fun in the late summertime is priced at about $200K.