The Audi R8 may still be one of the hottest entries in the sports-car world, but the hype has died down a bit. With its dramatic mid-engine proportions, it is still a stunning sight on the road, but waiting lists have shrunk in many places—in its native Germany, an R8 can now be had in just two to three months' time.
Three years after the coupe’s debut, Audi wants to ratchet up the hype again, and so expect the long-rumored convertible version—which may use the Spyder moniker, although the name is not yet finalized—to come to market in the fall of 2009 in Europe. In the U.S., where dealers still have their hands full allocating coupes, the droptop won't come before the 2010 calendar year.
Rumors that the R8 convertible would have a targa-style roof can safely be squashed, and previous spy shots have shown that it will get a power-operated ragtop. Unmistakably sharing most lines with the coupe, the open-air version nevertheless loses the "side blades,” which mask the coupe’s considerable length and make for interesting effect when rendered in contrasting colors or carbon fiber.
Three years after the coupe’s debut, Audi wants to ratchet up the hype again, and so expect the long-rumored convertible version—which may use the Spyder moniker, although the name is not yet finalized—to come to market in the fall of 2009 in Europe. In the U.S., where dealers still have their hands full allocating coupes, the droptop won't come before the 2010 calendar year.
Rumors that the R8 convertible would have a targa-style roof can safely be squashed, and previous spy shots have shown that it will get a power-operated ragtop. Unmistakably sharing most lines with the coupe, the open-air version nevertheless loses the "side blades,” which mask the coupe’s considerable length and make for interesting effect when rendered in contrasting colors or carbon fiber.