Will There Ever Be a Spyder GT?

[R8Spyderman]

If Ferrari can offer their 16M Scuderia Spider and Lambo also offers their Superleggera, and even Bentley's SuperSports comes as a GTC, why can't we Spyder lovers get racing seats, Alcantara & carbon fiber, white dials, more HP, etc.? I don't want a roll cage or anything like that because I don't intend to track the car but isn't there a market being left untapped? I'd much rather buy a factory-tuned street/racing version than to get it done aftermarket. Am I alone in this wish or are there others who'd like to see a GT version of the Spyder?

Maybe there are Audi ears listening (after all, "Audi" means "to hear")...

[Bodhii]

I am sure that Audi marketing would agree with everything that you say. But the Audi engineers know the realities. I think Audi is showing its engineering integrity by NOT offering one. Unless the body is made of all carbon fiber composites, there just isn't an effective way to make a convertible car rigid/strong enough for such long lasting, reliable, real-life, super horse power, hi-performance driving. It doesn't matter if the owner only wants to drive fast for only a block, and use the higher performance abilities only as a symbol. I would think that the Audi engineers must first be able to sign off on such a car's extreme performance abilities. At the current price points, it probably isn't feasible. Maybe Porsche's control of the R8 will change things.

cheers



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[R8Spyderman]

Ah, price point: there is where we have a huge advantage. A used two-year-old 16M Scuderia Spider with a few grand on the clock still sells for nearly $100K more than a well-equipped, brand new 2011 R8 Spyder V10, so even if we're talking $25K extra to get the upgraded interior and an extra 50 HP w/o shedding any weight, I'd order that option in a heartbeat. Surely the car can handle a 50-HP bump w/o having to beef up.

[Bodhii]

Surely the car can handle a 50-HP bump w/o having to beef up.

It is not just a question of a few new HP. It is building a car that can hold together over the long term as a very serious track/street car. On this regard, I think they will care little about your sincere promises to not use the car in the manner for which it was designed.

[EJCR8]

As there are V10 Spyders being supercharged by Stasis, we should be able to see how those owners do with their cars at 710hp over the few years. At least they have warranty coverage for 4yrs, but how will extended warranty work for these cars?

[Bodhii]

As there are V10 Spyders being supercharged by Stasis, we should be able to see how those owners do with their cars at 710hp over the few years.

I agree. But it will always come down to how hard and for how long a car is regularly driven. The Spyder or any convertible that is not made from carbon fiber composites will always flex, shake, and vibrate much more than the same car with a solid roof. We humans may or may not perceive these small and tiny movements. But these tiny movements will eventually take a significant toll on all of the components over a long time,... or if the car is being pushed regularly day after day, near its performance limits. The Audi R8 GT engineers know quite well that very few of their R8 GT models will ever be regularly used near their performance envelope. But nevertheless, they must be the ones who are responsible for designing and constructing this hi-performance supercar at such very demanding levels of quality. Its why Porsche does not make any 911GT3 or GT2 convertibles.

[R8Spyderman]

I'd buy a Spyder that at least has the GT interior, front boot lid with the awesome scoops, wider stance, etc. In other words, all the visual cues of the GT and if adding power would open too big a can of worms, then I'm happy with the 525 HP already available as I hardly have a chance to use it, anyway.

[M3R8]

Make your V10 Spyder better than a GT with a supercharger... it's a no brainer.

[harrison]

Anyone seen a pic of the trunk space (if any) available on the Gt ?