The Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus

As we looked at one convertible yesterday and as today is the official start of summer, here’s another, the Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus. According to Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH, “The Spyder is now also available as a 610 hp top version in addition to the Coupé. It benefits from our many years of experience in motorsport and combines breathtaking dynamics with the emotion of an open-top sports car.”

The “plus” in the name of the car makes a notable difference: compared with the R8 V10, the engine has 70 more horsepower and the car reaches 62.1 mph in 3.3 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds faster than the non-plus. And the top speed of the R8 Spyder V10 plus is 203.8 mph, which is 6.2 mph faster.

Here’s a fun fact about the plus: each of the 610 hp has to move just 6.1 pounds of mass.

The low mass is a result of the use of lightweight material, aluminum in particular, which constitutes 79.6 percent of the vehicle’s 3,736.8 pounds. Aluminum is used for the body panels as well as suspension components; it is part of the Audi Space Frame, which adds carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) to the mix.

And a word about the top. The outer material is fabric with a substructure that consists of lightweight materials, magnesium and aluminum, for example. The whole roof weighs 97 pounds.

There is an electrohydraulic drive that provides the opening/closing power. The top can be opened or closed in 20 seconds and at driving speeds up to 31.1 mph.

Did we mention 0 to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds?

Incidentally, the build of this car is rather remarkable, as well. Audi Sport operates a facility to handle the body and final assembly, the Audi Böllinger Höfe, near Neckarsulm. There, approximately 500 workers assemble the R8 Spyder V10 plus—by hand.