The next generation of Audi’s ultimate high performance sports car, the all-new R8 Spyder will make its global debut today at the New York International Auto Show.
The R8 Spyder brings the breathtaking performance, precise handling and driver-focused interior of the R8 V10 coupe and combines it with the allure of open-top driving to deliver an even sportier driving experience.
“For Audi of America, the R8 started a revolution,” said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America. “It didn’t just win at the racetrack and become the car of super heroes, it truly added Audi to the luxury conversation in the U.S.”
Each generation of the R8 brings know-how acquired on the racetrack and from the legacy of Audi endurance racing to the road. Thanks to a close cooperation between racing engineers, racing drivers and developers, the all-new 2017 Audi R8 V10 coupe, R8 LMS racecar and now the all-new R8 Spyder made significant performance gains from their predecessors. In addition, both the coupe and Spyder share just under 50 percent common parts with the LMS, including the V10 engine.
The R8 Spyder features the same naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine and seven-speed S-tronic® dual-clutch transmission as the R8 V10 coupe. The lightweight cloth roof, which tapers into two fins combine perfectly with the R8’s strikingly athletic design. Its strong backbone is the newly developed ASF® aluminum and carbon fiber construction. Like its predecessors, the interior pays homage to the shape of a racecar cockpit, with driver-oriented, easy-to-operate controls and functions, including the fully digital Audi virtual cockpit.
The launch of the R8 in 2008 not only led the charge for a redesigned Audi model lineup, it accelerated sales for Audi of America from 80,000 to 100,000 in 2010. That same momentum earned the brand its sixth consecutive year of record sales in 2015, with sales of more than 200,000 vehicles, and its 62nd consecutive month of record sales in February of this year. The R8 also pioneered the introduction of LED headlight technology, which became an instant Audi signature and led to what is now an industry standard.
Now, the launch of the 2017 R8 signifies the next phase of the Audi brand journey. This includes the brand‘s goal to achieve 25 percent of U.S. sales from electric vehicles by 2025, new car sharing models and advances in piloted driving. Finally, Audi is laying plans to launch 12 new models over the next three years, including entries into three new market segments, creating the most ambitious product lineup in the history of the four rings.
The R8 Spyder will be produced at the R8 production facility outside Neckarsulm, Germany. More information regarding pricing and specifications will be made available at a later date.