#R8Spyder

Much like Spider-Man, the new Audi A8 is constantly showing up in disguise and with a camera (several, in fact).

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The 2017 Audi R8 Spyder has been spied looking showroom ready on the streets of Europe.

Audi is testing its new drop-top R8 supercar on European roads and race tracks. 

Mansory’s extravagant creations are becoming more hit-or-miss in terms of success, but thankfully their rendition of Audi’s R8 Spyder is tolerable if not elegant. Known to sometimes go over the top, we’re surprised by the subtle approach Mansory took with Audi’s exotic convertible supercar.

As much as we love Audi‘s new R8 Spyder, there is something wrong with it – the potential to catch on fire! Not to worry, however, as Audi has issues a recall on all 920 R8 Spyders dating from 2011 and 2012.

Sports car commercials are usually very entertaining. This latest Audi R8 GT Spyder commercial is different though.  Instead of hearing the high performance engine, we hear this outdated heavy metal soundtrack and the video is also somewhat repetitive. If you don’t agree, check out the new BMW 1M commercial for a tutorial on how to shoot a great ad.

The Spyder itself looks very impressive. Production is limited to only 333 units and this car is capable of 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds and a top speed of 317 km/h. The Spyder will be powered by a V12 5.2-liter FSI engine producing 560-hp. The transmission will be an automatic R-Tronic 6-speed. The car will cost a cool € 207 800 or $295 782.52 in USD.

Check out the videos after the jump!

Audi’s Le Mans participation this year was all forms of glorious, from insane crashes to a triumphant podium finish. But mixed in with the excitement of the actual 24 Hour race was the debut of the 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder. Sporting 560-hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque from its 5.2L V10, the ragtop Audi goes from 0-60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds, this time with its top down.

ABT Sportsline perhaps stole a part of the show at Geneva with their R8 GT S, their take on Audi’ s R8 Spyder. Featuring a beautiful chrome red exterior, ABT Sportsline clearly aimed to grab the attention of the public with the contrasting carbon fiber components and the overall sinister red-and-black theme throughout the vehicle.

Apparently the factory 525-hp from Audi‘s R8 V10 Spyder isn’t enough for the fine folks at Sport Wheels. They have released a pair of tuning packages to up horsepower depending on the owner’s needs and wants. Their stage one will dial it up to 565-hp and 413 ft-lbs of torque while the second stage pumps out 600-hp and 428 ft-lbs of torque.

The stage 1 upgrade consists of a remapped ECU for the 40-hp bump for a cost of around $1,935. Given the cost of the R8 Spyder, this is actually quite affordable for the performance gains. And if that’s not enough, the stage 2 includes an “ironman muffler,” which we’re just going to guess is a fancy name for a nice sporty exhaust. To reach that famed 600-hp mark you’ll have to dish out $7,570.

Sport Wheels’ Galactic Audi R8 Spyder also sports a set of 20×8.5- and 20×11-inch OZ Ultraleggara HTL wheels with Continental Sport Contact tires. Those run a pretty $5,675. And lastly, a Model 3 HLS 4 coilover kit can be had for $9,450.

Gallery: SPORT WHEELS Galactic Audi R8 Spyder

Official press release available after the break.

Even though everything seemed all but confirmed until now, Audi has finally released the detailed info on their R8 Spyder sporting a 430-hp, 4.2L V8 powerplant. We first reported on the 4.2L FSI availability in February, and it’s interesting to see that it will have slightly more power (10-hp) than the R8 V8 coupe.

Audi’s recent marketing campaign in setting itself apart from the crowd has now included an R8 to rival Italian-manufacturer Ferrari. And even though it still has quite a ways to go before kids truly compare an R8 to a famed stallion or bull, Audi is making a great effort in putting the R8 in the same conversation. It is very hard to deny that the R8 is a much more functional daily driver than any of its Italian counterparts from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

And in nontraditional fashion, Audi has released the lower, cheaper and less powerful model after releasing the 5.2 FSI. Offering a healthy alternative and just another overall choice to the R8 Spyder line, the 4.2 FSI carries traditional Audi Quattro all-wheel drive and the aluminum body with carbon fiber composites that the R8 is infamous for. The cloth top is powered with an electrohydraulic drive for quiet and lightweight operation.

Top speed of the R8 Spyder is limited to 185 mph and 0-62 mph is a little shy of 4.8 seconds. The 4.2 FSI will be available in European markets for close to $150,000 in the third quarter of 2010. So while it may not have the same powerplant as the LMS race car, you’re still getting a hand-assembled beauty that’s high revving and surely a pleasure to drive.

And hey, when it’s an Audi R8 Spyder and you’re cruising down the street, you think that kid peering out the window knows the difference between a 4.2 and a 5.2?

*NOTE: The photo above is of the R8 5.2 FSI as no images were available at the time of publishing this story

Check out all the details after the jump: