Okay, so this isn't exactly the most surprising news of the day, but it sure ranks up there with the coolest. Audi->ke14 is said to be launching a Spyder version for the R8->ke1440 GT at the Frankfurt Motor Show this Fall. As with the coupe version, the Spyder will be limited to 333 units and should be priced at about $20,000 higher than the coupe, which is sold for about $196,800 in the U.S. The similarities will even extend to the number of units available in the U.S. We last heard that we were getting 90 units of the GT Coupe and we expect the same number for the Spyder version.

Under the hood, Audi will place the same 5.2 liter V10 engine that delivers a total of 560 HP and 398 lbs-ft of torque. The Spyder version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds and will be capable of a top speed of 196.97 mph. Thanks to body parts made in carbon fiber the R8 GT Spyder is 187 lbs lighter and in the same time delivers performance numbers that makes it the top-of-the-line version of the high-performance sports car.

UPDATE 11/16/11: The Audi R8 GT Spyder made its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The lightweight, drop-top German supercar will be available in North America beginning next year and will be limited to just 90 units in the region. Audi is planning on building 333 units of the R8 GT Spyder so 90 models in North America is a pretty sizable chunk of the whole inventory. Interested parties should be on their toes so they can be part of the 90 people that can score the German supercar when it becomes available.

UPDATE 02/02/12: Audi of American has announced that the R8 Spyder will be priced at $210,000 plus a $1,200 delivery fee for the US market. Only 50 units will be offered on our side of the pond.

UPDATE 04/06/12: One of the only 50 R8 GT Spyder units to arrive on the US market has been presented on the NY floor and we have some pictures of it for you. Check the pictures gammery to find them.

More details on the Audi R8 GT Spyder after the jump.

2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder
  • Engine/Motor: V10
  • Horsepower: 560
  • Torque: 398
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

The Audi R8 GT Spyder version will be distinguished by a more aggressive design language that includes add-on parts in contrasting titanium gray, a front splitter with a dual lip, flics at the sides of the front bumper, red GT badges, round exhaust tailpipes, an enlarged diffuser, and dark LED tail lights in a clear-glass design. The windshield frame is made in matte CFRP.

The model will come with a lightweight fabric soft top that goes up or down in just 19 seconds at speeds of up to 31 mph. At high speeds, both driver and passenger will be protected by extensible glass rear window.

Interior

For the R8 GT Spyder's interior, Audi was all about paying attention to details, and also using materials to reduce the car's total weight. For example, the bucket seats feature a chassis of glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) that help shed a total of 69.45 lbs.

All the elements of the interior are painted in black and are then contrasted with a choice of titanium gray or crimson. The seats, sports steering wheel, and windshield frame will be covered in Alcantara upholstery, but customers can also opt for Nappa leather. These elements will contrast with a matte CFRP cockpit that was inspired by the monoposto vehicles.

The list of standard equipment will include: LED headlights, LED tail lights, an automatic air conditioning system, the navigation system plus, an alarm system and the driver information system with a built-in laptimer. As an option customers can also opt for a sophisticated sound system from Bang & Olufsen and a Bluetooth interface including a seatbelt microphone, bucket seats with a carbon-fiber composite chassis, matte CFRP applications and embroidered logos on the seat upholstery.

Engine

Under the hood of the Audi R8 GT Spyder, Audi has used the same engine found in the coupe: a 5.2-liter V10 engine that delivers a total of 560 hp and a peak torque of 398 lbs at 6,500 rpm. The car will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.8 seconds and can hit a top speed of 196.97 mph.

The engine will be mated to an automated six-speed R tronic transmission with two fully automatic modes. In the additional manual mode, the driver can shift gears using the paddles on the steering wheel or by flicking the joystick. At high load and revs, gear changes take only one-tenth of a second. The launch control program manages the starting sprint with high engine speed and precision-control of the tire slip. Audi has also placed a quattro permanent all-wheel drive system in the car that can send additional torque to the front axle. The suspension system includes aluminum double wishbones locate the wheels, and the rack-and-pinion power steering that provides intimate contact with the road. The car sits on 19" wheels combined with large, lightweight carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs.

Prices

Audi of American has announced that the R8 Spyder will be priced at $210,000 plus a $1,200 delivery fee for the US market. Only 50 units will be offered on our side of the pond. In Germany, the car has a starting price of 207,800 euros - or about $300K at the current exchange rates.

Competition

As with the coupe version, the R8 GT Spyder will target models like the Ferrari 458 Italia and the Mercedes SLS AMG, in their drop top version, of course.

We've yet to see the 458 Italia Spyder, but Mercedes took some pity on us all and unveiled the official details on the SLS AMG Roadster. The new roadster version features the same engine as the coupe: a 6.3-liter V8 engine with 563 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque with a top speed of 196 mph. On the German market, the SLS AMG Roadster has a price of € 195,160, a little bit cheaper than the Audi model.

Set to be revealed sometime next year, the 458 Italia Spyder will feature the same engine as the coupe model: a 4.5 liter V8 with an output of 570 HP. We expect to see a top speed of about 200 mph, which will make the 458 Italia the most aggressive competitor for the R8 GT Spyder.