V8 slashes Audi R8 Spyder price

AUDI Australia has slashed the price of entry to its R8 Spyder drop-top supercar by almost $80,000 with the introduction of a less powerful 4.2-litre V8 version, available to order from $300,400 plus on-road costs.

Its arrival in the line-up should bolster the German luxury brand’s flagship model, sales of which dropped from 103 three years ago to 54 last year.

It took a year for the V10 Spyder to reach Australian shores but the V8 will have taken almost twice that by the time first examples arrive.

Audi Australia corporate communications executive Shaun Cleary told GoAuto the V8 was not initially offered in order to reduce complexity and in recognition of Australia’s preference for coupes over convertibles, but that Audi has now decided to import it in response to the level of customer inquiry.

First deliveries of the entry-level Spyder are expected mid-year, roughly coinciding with initial shipments of the hardcore and highly exclusive GT version – with just five of the 333 cars produced bound for Australia.

The V8-powered R8 Spyder – which with 316kW of power and 430Nm of torque can hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds – was launched globally in July 2010, almost a year after the V10 version debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt show.



With an all-new replacement for the R8 due in 2014, the entry-level Spyder will help Audi maintain interest in the supercar during its twilight years.

Perhaps coincidentally, the announcement of its release coincided with the local launch of another convertible V8 soft-top in the sleek shape of the more expensive, more powerful SLS Roadster from rival Mercedes-Benz.

Mr Cleary said no orders have yet been taken for the V8 Spyder, which will not be available with the $10,900 Carbon Edition package offered on the coupe (both V8 and V10) and V10 Spyder.

That package provides a look inspired by the lightweight GT, which with 412kW and 540Nm from its tweaked V10 engine occupies the opposite end of the performance spectrum and, with an expected $475,000 price tag, will become the Ingolstadt-based brand’s most expensive product.

Standard equipment includes adaptive dampers, rear parking sensors with reversing camera, metallic paint, Xenon headlights with LED daytime-running lights, Alcantara and leather sports seats, a wind deflector and 19-inch five-spoke alloy wheels.

Top speed is 300km/h for the V8 Spyder, making it 13km/h slower than the V10 – which sprints from rest to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds – but fuel consumption of 13.5L/100 kilometres (when fitted with the optional $16,000 R-Tronic automatic transmission) is slightly better than the 13.9L/100km for the V10.

Audi R8 Spyderpricing (before on-roads):
4.2 V8 FSI	$300,400
4.2 V8 FSI (a)	$316,400
5.2 V10 FSI	$380,200
5.2 V10 FSI (a)	$396,300