Audi is teasing us with early images of the R8 GT Spyder, which will offer open-top thrills as well as the added performance of its lightweight coupé sister.
The GT Spyder is based in the Coupé and uses the same 552bhp 5.2-litre V10 engine, up from the standard R8 V10's 518bhp. For the Spyder version, top speed drops 6mph to 193mph due to aerodynamic limitations.
Along with the added power, the GT Spyder is 95kg lighter than a standard R8 soft-top. It uses an R-tronic robotised manual gearbox and power is divided 15/85 front to rear.
Helping to save weight are a lighter windscreen made from thinner glass, carbon fibre engine cover and rear wing, less sound deadening and modified brake callipers. There are also additional carbon fibre wings on the front bumper for greater downforce.
It's expected Audi will only build 333 R8 GT Spyders, in the same way the company did with the Coupé version, and 33 of these are reckoned to earmarked for UK buyers. No word on price yet, but deliveries are expected in early 2012.
Alisdair Suttie - 12 Apr 2011