The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro – fascinating dynamics

Sports Cars Auto Racing News

Audi is adding another model to its R8 high-performance sports car lineup: Hot on the heels of the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro comes another model with a V8 engine. The 4.2-liter FSI produces 316 kW (430 hp) and launches the open-top two-seater to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 299 km/h (185.79 mph). The engine is mated to the R tronic sequential manual gearbox; quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard. Audi R8 Spyder

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a lightweight cloth top with a fully automatic drive. Its body is an aluminum Audi Space Frame with large-area components of carbon fiber composite material. A fit and finish typical of Audi, excellent everyday practicality and optional high-end technologies – from LED headlights to seatbelt microphone – complete the profile of the model athlete.

The V8 accelerates the R8 Spyder from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds and on up to a top speed of 299 km/h (185.79 mph). Both values apply for the manual transmission and for the R tronic. At Audi, dynamics also always means efficiency. The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro with the R tronic consumes on average 13.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (16.92 US mpg); fuel consumption with the manual transmission is 14.9 liters per 100 km (15.79 US mpg). A recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is standard. The forced oil pump of the dry sump lubrication system features various suction and discharge stages for load-dependent operation.

The compact V8, which is hand-assembled at the engine factory in Györ, Hungary, has the classic cylinder angle of 90 degrees and weighs just 216 kilograms (476 lb). Its crankcase is made of an aluminum-silicon alloy using the low-pressure die casting method, which ensures particular homogeneity. The high silicon content makes the cylinder barrels extremely resistant to wear.

The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro comes standard with a manual six-speed transmission. It works together with a compact dual-disc clutch and can be shifted extremely precisely and easily with short throws. The shift lever is made of polished aluminum, the open gate of stainless steel.

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is optionally available with the R tronic, a highly efficient sequential six-speed transmission. Shift commands are transmitted electrically; a hydraulic system changes the gears and manages the clutch. The R tronic offers both an automatic and a manual mode, both of which allow the driver to choose between two shift programs.

In manual mode, the driver changes gears using the joystick on the center tunnel or with the paddles on the steering wheel. At high load and engine speed, gear changes take less than a tenth of a second. The Launch Control program ensures optimal starts. It controls the engine speed and the engagement of the clutch to accelerate the open-top two-seater with the ideal wheel slip.

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is 4.43 meters (14.53 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.24 meters (4.07 ft) tall – it has a wide, hunkered-down stance on the road as if ready to pounce. Its dynamic proportions, the sculpted design and the passenger cell situated far to the front with the flat windshield visually underscore the mid-engine concept. The large vertical air intakes are athletically sculpted out of the flanks, and the shadow contour of the rear end forms a powerful wave above the wheels.

An elliptical crease encircles the long back and provides visual structure. When viewed from above, it combines the passenger compartment and the engine into a single unit. Two arched cowls in glistening silver give the back a powerful profile. They taper from the bulkhead to the spoiler lip, and each includes six integrated air vents. Another wide discharge vent is located between the cowls.

The headlights are technical works of art – this applies to the standard xenon plus units and even more so for the optional LED headlights, which use light-emitting diodes for all lighting functions. Their reflectors resemble open mussel shells, and the daytime running lights appear to be a homogeneous strip extending along the lower edge of the headlight. One of Audi’s greatest innovations, the LED light, has a color temperature very similar to that of daylight, making it easier on the eyes when driving at night. It also impresses with a long service life and extremely low energy consumption.

The rear of the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro features LED tail lights as standard equipment. The exhaust system terminates in dual tailpipes on both the left and the right. The rear spoiler, which extends automatically at 100 km/h (62.14 mph), and the fully lined underbody generate a downforce that presses the high-performance sports car firmly to the road. With a drag coefficient of 0.37 and the small front surface area of 1.99 m2 (21.42 sq ft), however, the two-seater still glides easily through the wind. Audi applied a lot of the knowledge gleaned in motorsport to the flow of air around and through the body.

Audi offers the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro with a choice of three colors for the top: black, red and brown. The body is available in the solid finishes Ibis White and Brilliant Red; the metallic finishes Suzuka Gray, Teak Brown, Ice Silver, Jet Blue and Aurum Beige; and the pearl effect finishes Daytona Gray, Sepang Blue, Lava Gray and Phantom Black. The windshield frame is coated with anodized aluminum.

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a cloth roof – a classic feature typical of Audi and without compromise for a high-performance sports car. The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 42 kilograms (93 lb); it thus keeps the vehicle’s weight and center of gravity low. The top takes up little space when open, and is a harmonious design element when closed. It tapers off to two long, slim fins that extend to the trailing edge of the car and have an elongated contour similar to the fixed roof of the R8 Coupé.

The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead between the passenger compartment and the engine compartment. It can be raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the soft top up or down. An additional wind deflector comes standard. It latches into the bulkhead behind the seats in two steps and keeps the cabin nearly draft-free at speeds of up to roughly 200 km/h (124.27 mph).

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft). Its axle load distribution is 43:57 percent; the track measures 1.64 meters (5.38 ft) up front and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) at the rear. Forged aluminum double wishbones – a principle borrowed from race car construction – locate the wheels. Their rubber-metal bearings divert the lateral forces precisely into the body while at the same time ensuring high longitudinal elasticity. The setup provides for surprisingly good comfort in everyday driving. A dedicated sports suspension is available as an option.

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro rolls on 18-inch wheels shod with 235/40 tires up front and 285/35 tires in the rear. A tire pressure indicator is standard. Audi offers optional 19-inch wheels in a variety of designs – monochrome or two colors, polished or in titanium look.

Behind the wheels are powerful disc brakes measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in diameter up front and 356 millimeters (14.02 in) in the back. To quickly dissipate the heat, they are internally ventilated, perforated and composed of two pieces – stainless steel pins connect the steel friction rings to the aluminum caps.

Drivers and passengers of any size find an ideal seating position in the sport seats with their pronounced side bolsters. The ring of the leather multifunction sport steering wheel is flattened. Visibility is good, with narrow A-pillars ensuring a large diagonal view to the front. Another advantage in everyday driving is the luggage compartment – there is space under the front hatch for 100 liters (3.53 cu ft). A storage box with three bins is located behind the seats.

Among the highlights of the standard equipment are seats covered with Fine Nappa leather, the aluminum door sills, the concert radio system with seven speakers, the xenon plus headlights, the LED tail lights, the automatic air conditioning system, the alarm system, the automatic top, the rollover protection system and the wind deflector. Metallic paint and heated seats are also standard.

Audi also offers an array of fine options – power seats, an interior lighting package, hill hold assist, cruise control, deluxe automatic air conditioning, a storage package and the high-beam assistant. All leather for the seats is colored with pigments that reflect the infrared component of sunlight, greatly reducing the heating of the interior.

Multimedia options include an excellent sound system from Bang & Olufsen with 450 watts of power, the Audi music interface for easily connecting an external player and a Bluetooth cell phone preparation. The navigation system plus is characterized by its MMI operating logic and a high-resolution 6.5-inch display. It can be combined with a reversing camera.

An enticing innovation from Audi is the seatbelt microphone for the hands-free unit and the speech dialogue system, which makes it possible to talk on the phone even with the top down on the highway. Both seatbelts house three small, flat microphones. At least one of them is ideally positioned relative to the speaker when the belt is on. There is a fourth microphone in the windshield frame.

The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro will be rolling into German showrooms in the third quarter of 2010. Sales will be starting soon at a base price of €121,000.