Audi announces a new breed of R8 SPYDER for the UK

The Audi R8 Spyder is about to perform a pincer movement on the open-air supercar establishment as it adopts a new generation 4.2-litre V8 FSI petrol engine to run alongside the existing 5.2-litre V10 FSI. The new R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is now available to order priced at £95,545 OTR for the six-speed manual version and £100,855 for the six-speed R tronic automated manual. UK customer deliveries will begin in January 2011.

The latest version of the high-revving, dry sump-lubricated 4.2-litre FSI V8, which will be shared with the Coupe, complies with EU5 emissions limits with the help of a new recuperation system that conserves energy during coasting and braking. Its increased 430PS output (previously 420PS) peaks at 7,900rpm, with maximum torque of 430Nm arriving at 4,500rpm and being sustained through to 6,000rpm. At least 90 per cent of this torque can be tapped into even lower down the range from 3,500rpm, and from the 6,000rpm peak through to 7,500rpm.

In conjunction with both the standard six-speed manual transmission and the optional six-speed S tronic automated manual, the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro can sprint to 62mph from rest in just 4.8 seconds, and in the appropriate circumstances can continue to a 186mph top speed.

The electrohydraulically controlled hood, which opens the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro to the elements in 19 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph, blends harmoniously into the advanced aluminium and carbon fibre composite body shell's dramatic lines, and when lowered folds like a Z beneath the automatically activated cover of its storage compartment above the V8 engine. The heated glass window, which is separate from the fabric hood, is lowered into the bulkhead. It can be independently raised and lowered at the touch of a button, with the top up or down. An additional wind deflector is fitted as standard and can be latched into the bulkhead behind the seats in two easy steps.

Beneath the skin, the deceptively spacious cabin is equipped with the same comforts as the existing V8-powered R8 Coupe, but also adds heating and electric adjustment for the Fine Nappa leather-trimmed seats, plus Bluetooth mobile phone preparation incorporating innovative seatbelt-mounted microphones which make it possible to talk on the phone even with the top down on the motorway. Metallic paint is also added over and above the R8 V8 specification. Source: Audi.