Audi’s lighter and more track-focused R8 GT supercar recently went on sale and if you’ve just ordered one, you may not be too pleased to hear that Audi is set to launch a convertible R8 GT Spyder in the not too distant future.
Previewed here today in these official sketches, the new R8 GT Spyder is scheduled to be revealed for the first time at the Le Mans 24 hours endurance race this June ahead of an official world debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September.
As with the hard-top, Audi engineers have managed to shed some 220 pounds from the R8 Spyder’s curb weight. This was done mostly through the use of light weight carbon fiber and aluminum, thinner glass and sheet metal and a fixed rear wing in place of the previous automated one.
The hardcore convertible will also sport the same 560 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque version of the R8’s 5.2-liter V-10 engine, which the automaker claims is good for 0-60 mph acceleration of around 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 193 mph.
Drive will be sent to all four wheels via an uprated version of Audi’s six-speed R-tronic robotized manual transmission and a viscous coupling that sends up to 85 percent of torque to the rear wheels during normal driving. Of course, more torque can be sent to the front wheels should the system detect a loss of a traction.
Setting apart the R8 GT Spyder from the regular fleet is a unique front splitter with carbon fiber canards, matte grey highlights and custom wheels. Inside, there’s plenty of Alcantara and carbon fiber to ensure that this special edition model certainly feels special.
Production numbers will likely match those of the hard-top R8 Spyder, 333 units, and only around 90 of these are likely to make it to the U.S. Expect pricing to start well above the $196,800 sticker of the hard-top.
