Audi R8 Drops Its Top In New York

Audi has unveiled the R8 Spyder at the 2016 New York Auto Show.

The soft-top R8 is powered by the same 5.2-litre V10 found in the R8 coupe. The V10 produces 532bhp and 540Nm of torque and is mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

The R8 Spyder weighs in at 1720 kilograms (kerb weight) around 125 kilos more than the coupe. Audi has used the extra weight to reinforce the Spyder's body as well as increase torsional rigidity by 50 percent.

Despite the added weight, the R8 Spyder can sprint to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds and tops out at 319km/h.

Style wise not much has changed. The rear end of the car ditches the glass engine cover found in the coupe for a long deck lid with multiple cooling vents for the engine.

The cloth roof which weighs in at just 44 kilograms is stored under the long rear end and can be lowered and raised at speeds up to 50km/h in just 20 seconds.

The vertical rear window also retracts back along with the roof. To keep airflow in the cabin low a win deflector is provided.

The Audi R8 Spyder will go up against the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet and the Ferrari California T.