Audi has unveiled the R8 Spyder at the New York Auto Show. The new R8 Spyder benefits from Audi Space Frame with 50 percent improvement in rigidity.
Powering the fastest Audi Spyder is the mid-mounted naturally aspirated 5.2-litre engine which cranks out 540PS of power and 540 Nm of torque at 6,500 rpm. The V10 motor enables the car to sprint from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 197mph. Efficiency technologies such as the new freewheeling mode, in which the R8 coasts with the engine decoupled, also boost fuel efficiency by ten percent compared with the previous Spyder. The new R8 Spyder is capable of returning up to 24.1mpg, corresponding to 277 grams CO2 per kilometre.
Behind the V10 there is a seven-speed S tronic transmission which the driver controls electrically – by wire. The dual-clutch transmission transfers power to the quattro drive system with an electro-hydraulically activated multi-plate clutch at the front axle. The all-wheel clutch, distributes the drive torques fully variably according to the driving situation – in extreme cases, up to 100 percent to the front or rear wheels.
The intelligent control system is incorporated into the Audi drive select system, which offers four modes ranging from overtly dynamic to comfort-oriented. In conjunction with the optional R8 performance leather steering wheel, three more driving programs are available: dry, wet and snow.
The R8 Spyder features a lightweight cloth hood tapering into two fins. An electro-hydraulic drive opens and closes the hood in 20 seconds up to a speed of 31mph.
The large 12.3-inch, fully digital Audi virtual cockpit presents all information using rich 3D graphics – if desired, in a special performance view that includes driving dynamics information. MMI navigation plus with MMI touch is standard, as are belt microphones. These make it even easier to use natural-language voice control and the phone. MMI search, which makes search suggestions after input of just the first few letters, offers a shortcut to the required information.
The new R8 Spyder is 14 millimetres shorter than the previous model and measures an overall 4,426 millimetres in length. It has grown by 36 millimetres in width to 1,940 millimetres. The height of 1,244 millimetres is unchanged from the first-generation R8 Spyder, as is the wheelbase of 2,650 millimetres.
The new Audi R8 Spyder V10 tips the scales at a mere 1,612 kilograms (dry weight), which contributes to an exceptional power-to-weight ratio of 310PS per ton. The usage of new Audi Space Frame (ASF) has made it possible to keep the weight in check. As in the R8 Coupe, it combines aluminium components with structurally integrated carbon fibre-reinforced polymer.
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