From the Something-We-Figured-Was-Coming-But-Are-Thrilled-To-See-Anyway Department comes Audi’s announcement of the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro. It’s basically the V-8 version of the V-10–engined R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro, which itself is scheduled to appear in U.S. showrooms starting this September.
Audi of America says the V-8 Spyder will arrive in the U.S. in early 2011 with a 430-hp version of Audi’s 4.2-liter V-8, which coupes also will receive for 2011. A gated six-speed manual will be standard, while Audi’s R tronic automated manual will be optional. Although the 2011 model year starts this fall, 2011 R8 coupes won’t arrive until the Spyder shows up next year. If Audi keeps the weight gain to somewhere near the 220-pound difference between the V-10 coupe and Spyder models, the 4.2 Spyder should be able to knock out a 0-to-60-mph sprint in about 4.2 seconds. (We have been able to get the R8 4.2 coupe to 60 in four flat.)
No official imagery of the Spyder 4.2 has been made available (the V-10 Spyder is shown here), but we can surmise that it will look like a topless 4.2 coupe, with quad tailpipes and straked, matte-finish air intakes and extractors. Like its V-10–equipped counterpart, the V-8 Spyder’s fairings will be rendered in “glistening silver,” Audi says, with the windshield surround coated with anodized aluminum. Three cloth colors—red, black, and brown—will be offered for the softtop, to complement the 11 available paint colors. If the V-10 model serves as any precedent, anticipate a base-price bump of about 10 percent over that of the coupe, which would put it up in the neighborhood of $130K, some $35,000 less than the V-10 Spyder.
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