Audi R8 We have spotted a new prototype of the R8 Spider undergoing testing on the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. Audi's sports car is all set to make waves in a stunning new convertible avatar during its mid launch. This is the first time that Audi will offer the R8 Spider with an open roof along side the hardtop variant.
Contrary to industry rumours, the car will not have targa lift-out panels, but the roof will neatly fold in the rear bulkhead section. This becomes evident as we have a closer look at the car. The rear body of the convertible has been improvised to make room for the folding roof. The two-piece flat rear deck is different from the hardtop R8's sweeping pillars, following style cues from Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder's folding roof instead with small rear fabric buttresses.
The fake sloping rear screen of the R8 convertible partially disguises these buttresses. The production car will sport a glass cover to flaunt the muscular R8's engine. The fuel cap is the other giveaway that proves that the R8 has a full drop-top, as the cap has been placed just ahead of the rear wheel arch. The rear pillar, as mentioned earlier, has been replaced by fabric buttresses. We'll have to wait and see if the folding roof unfolds larger sales for the Audi.
We anticipate Audi will offer a host of engine options for the convertible including the R8's 414bhp naturally aspirated V8, the RS8's 500bhp naturally aspirated VIO and the R8 TDI's 500bhp twin-turbo VI2 diesel.
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