Cape Town - Do you have R3-million burning a hole in your pocket? Well that's close to how much you'll need to purchase the second-generation Audi R8 Spyder V10, is now available in South Africa. The droptop supercar retails for R2 905 500.
New roof
The biggest difference between the coupe and the spyder is of course its convertible roof; it uses electro-hydraulic drive to open/close in 20 seconds and can be operated at speeds up to 50km/h. The rear window is sunk into the bulkhead and can be retracted and extended electrically. For the safety, two strong steel sections pretensioned by springs serve as roll-over protection.
318km/h top speed
You'll gain the envy from passers by due to the roar of the 5.2-litre V10 engine (which we've tested in the coupe version), capable of 397kW/540Nm. The Spyder uses a seven-speed S tronic transmission and like other high performance Ingolstadt models uses quattro (all-wheel drive).
Audi drive select offers the driverfour modes: comfort, auto, dynamic and individual. Audi claims the Spyder will rocket from 0 to 100km/h in 3.6seconds and reach a top speed of 318km/h.
Inside, you'll find the now ubiquitous Audi virtual cockpit. Its TFT display has a 31cm diagonal screen and offers a resolution of 1440 x 540 pixels. Audi says the display varies its context-related color scheme according to the main menu selected.
Standard equipment
The R8 Spyder will be available with the following equipment offered as standard:
• 19" V-spoke design wheels
• Bluetooth interface
• MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch
• Audi Virtual cockpit
• Bang and Olufsen Sound system
• Comfort key
• Cruise control
• Deluxe automatic aircon with sun sensor
• Fine Nappa leather for R8 Sport seats
• Seat heating
• Seat belt monitoring
• Front side airbags with head airbag
• LED headlights
• LED rear lights
• Parking aid plus
• Seats electrically and pneumatically adjustable
• Tyre pressure monitor
• Tyre repair kit
• R8 performance leather steering wheel with multifunction plus controls
• Exterior mirrors electrically adjustable and heated
• Inlays in anthracite paint finish
• Side blade in ice silver metallic
• High gloss package
• Wind deflector
• Quattro