Audi
revealed the 2017 R8 Spyder at the 2016 New York auto show, and the new
car might attract even more attention than its coupe sibling. Like the
R8 coupe,
the R8 Spyder comes standard with a V-10 engine and weighs less than
the car it replaces thanks to the new Audi Space Frame platform.
Extensive use of aluminum and carbon fiber in the
2017 Audi R8
Spyder’s construction means its 458 pounds lighter than the old model
while torsional rigidity has increased by over 50 percent. The car also
features a new lightweight soft top that can open or close in 20 seconds
at speeds up to 31 mph. Like the coupe, the
R8 Spyder
features an evolutionary exterior design that makes it instantly
recognizable as an R8. Additionally, the car retains a half side blade
that covers the air intakes just behind the doors.
A 5.2-liter V-10 rated at 540 hp and 398
lb-ft of torque is the only engine available, and is paired to a
seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Audi says fuel economy has
improved by 10 percent thanks to efficiency technologies such as a new
freewheeling mode that lets the R8 coast with the engine decoupled from
the transmission. The automaker’s Quattro all-wheel drive system is
standard on the 2017 R8 Spyder and is able to send 100 percent of the
drive torque to the front or rear axle in extreme cases. Audi has
integrated an intelligent control system to the Drive Select interface,
giving the driver four different modes ranging from comfort to sport. In
addition, the car can also be adapted to current weather conditions by
choosing from three more programmable modes — dry, wet, or snow — for
improved handling.
Inside, the
2017 R8 Spyder
comes with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system, which replaces traditional
gauges with a 12.3-inch TFT display that shows everything from
navigation, multimedia info, fuel levels, speed, and a rev counter in
3D. Audi’s smartphone interface also allows drivers to project selected
content from a smartphone and into the Virtual Cockpit. The MMI
infotainment system is also available in the R8 Spyder and comes with
touch pad controls as standard. You can also add 4G LTE connectivity to
turn the car into a mobile hot spot so you can use your mobile devices
to surf the Internet, get real-time traffic information, and stream
online media. An upgraded Bang & Olufsen sound system that embeds
two speakers into each seat will also be available.
The 2017
Audi R8
Spyder will be hand-built exclusively at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant in
Germany. Standard features include sport seats, a front spoiler, a sport
exhaust, side blades of different colors, and LED headlights. A
wireless phone charger called the Audi phone box and racing bucket seats
will also be available in the 2017 R8 Spyder. Prospective buyers will
also be able to tailor their R8 Spyders since the automaker will offer
them the ability to personalize the car’s interior and exterior based on
their wishes.
