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Pure Comfort in the R8 GT Spyder's Interior
Great attention to
detail is evident in the materials and workmanship inside the car. The salient
aspect of the controls is their logically structured design. The open two-seater
offers a roomy interior, and its front end can accommodate up to 3.53 cu-ft (100
liters) of cargo. The rear bulkhead houses three storage compartments.
The interior is black and can be adorned with stitching in a choice of titanium
gray or crimson for added refinement. Alcantara upholstery comes standard - on
the sport steering wheel and windshield frame, too.
Audi also offers
leather in Fine Nappa quality. Numerous details - including white dials and R8
GT logos - provide classy accents. The distinctive R8 "monoposto," a large arch
encircling the driver's cockpit, is made of matt CFRP.
Audi ultra
requires no sacrifice on the part of R8 GT Spyder owners. The standard equipment
includes LED headlights, LED tail lights, an automatic air conditioning system,
the navigation system plus, an alarm system and the driver information system
with a built-in laptimer.
Audi also offers a sophisticated sound system
from Bang & Olufsen and a Bluetooth interface including a seatbelt microphone
for carrying on a phone conversation conveniently. Options specific to the R8 GT
include bucket seats with a carbon-fiber composite chassis, matt CFRP
applications and embroidered logos on the seat upholstery.
Engine:
Prodigious Power
The performance offered by the new top-of-the-line
model in the R8 family is formidable. The 5.2-liter V10 with an aluminum
crankcase draws its fuel from an FSI direct injection system. Dry-sump
lubrication ensures a reliable supply of oil even under maximum lateral or
straight-line acceleration.
With its modified electronic management, the
long-stroke engine produces 398 lb-ft (540 Nm) of torque at 6,500 rpm, and its
peak output is 560 hp.
The R8 GT Spyder catapults from zero to 60 mph in
3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 197 mph (317 km/h). In every situation,
the engine impresses with its thrust and bite - and that unmistakable sound of
an Audi ten-cylinder.
The R8 GT Spyder comes standard with an automated
six-speed R tronic transmission with two fully automatic modes. In the
additional manual mode, the driver can shift gears using the paddles on the
steering wheel or by flicking the joystick. At high load and revs, gear changes
take only one-tenth of a second. The launch control program manages the starting
sprint with high engine speed and precision-control of the tire slip.
The
quattro permanent all-wheel drive has a strong rear-wheel bias, granted by the
axle load distribution. If the situation calls for it, the system sends
additional torque to the front axle. In tandem with the limited slip
differential at the rear, it provides an added measure of traction, stability
and cornering speed, giving it a strong lead over the rear-wheel-drive
competition.
The suspension, too, is unrivaled in its performance.
Aluminum double wishbones locate the wheels, and the rack-and-pinion power
steering provides intimate contact with the road. Taut tuning lowers the body by
approximately 0.4 inches (10 millimeters). The open high-performance sports car
has 19-inch wheels, with 235/35 tires up front and 295/30 tires at the rear. The
large, lightweight carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs decelerate the car with
supreme ease. The ESP stabilization program has a sport mode and can also be
deactivated entirely.
The R8 GT Spyder will have a base price in Germany
of 207,800 euros.
Audi R8 GT Spyder: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications