2017 Audi R8 Spyder V10

Audi's R8 V10 Spyder is one of the world's most powerful convertibles

When I initially saw images of Audi's R8 Spyder test car I frowned a little at the hue, bright 'Vegas Yellow', as I thought it didn't quite match the supercar's intent. Oh boy, how wrong I was.

In the metal it looks absolutely stunning and gives it a whole lot of personality. Okay, so it has a cool paint job but the highlight of the R8 is undoubtedly its high-revving V10 engine that produces 397kW and 540Nm.

Audi utilises a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox in its R8 and with the paddle-shift gears it makes the driving experience very racy when firing through the slick-changing gears.

The R8 isn't a hardcore machine that one needs to wrestle with while tackling Franschhoek Pass, its four-wheel drive system offers a composed drive when taking on a fast, sweeping bend.

The Spyder without a doubt is more dramatic than the coupe we tested last year. The electronically-powered soft top takes 20 seconds to open and close at up to 50km/h.

And when the roof is lowered, the screaming V10 can be heard just behind your head and that's an experience very few cars give you.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/NewModels...he-worlds-most-powerful-convertibles-20171212

[video=youtube_share;ocLuJFXuQAM]https://youtu.be/ocLuJFXuQAM[/video]
 
Audi R8 V10 Spyder (2017) Quick Review

Quick Specs

Price: R 2 905 500
Engine: 5.2-litre V10 petrol
Power: 397 kW at 7 800 rpm
Torque: 540 Nm at 6 500 rpm
Gearbox: 7-speed dual-clutch automatic
Kerb weight: 1 720 kg
0-100 kph: 3.6 sec
Top speed: 318 kph
Economy: 11.7 L/100 km

Verdict

The R8 Spyder can no longer claim to be one of only a handful comfortable or easiest-to-live-with supercars. The likes of Mercedes-AMG and, to a lesser extent, Jaguar and Porsche have joined the "can do it all sportscar" ranks. What it does have is an easily accessible thrill zone. It’s not scary like a 400 kW sportscar can be, it’s not intimidating to hustle around a tight mountain pass and it excels on open, sweeping roads. The levels of balance and driver involvement are just right for a mainstream sportscar and the ravishing (top-down) look is unlikely to disappoint onlookers.

Moreover, the big trick up the R8 Spyder’s sleeve is its engine: the 5.2-litre V10 makes life with the roof down a bucket list event every time you let the motor spin merrily to the top end of its rev range. Nothing sounds quite like it (bar the aforementioned Hurucan of course) and the soundtrack is unfettered, unlike the synthesised pops, crackles and bangs that are the calling cards of the turbocharged brigade.

It’s certainly not worth an extra R500k over the hard top in most people’s books, but if you’re playing in the R3-million price frame for a car, you’re likely unconcerned with the purchasing cost and more likely to pick the car that prompts outbreaks of goosebumps with the most alacrity.

https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/audi-r8-v10-spyder-2017-quick-review/44370/

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Audi R8 V10 Plus Spyder vs McLaren 570S Spider drag race - Auto Express

[video=youtube_share;hso0_YKDL_Q]https://youtu.be/hso0_YKDL_Q[/video]
 
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