Available with a screaming 5.2-liter V-10 engine with 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque on tap, the all-new 2011 Audi R8 Spyder is easily one of the most desirable drop-tops on the planet. In this latest video see the meticulous care that goes into building the car. Twitter: twitter.com Facebook: www.facebook.com Motor Authority is a High Gear Media website: www.highgearmedia.com

Fascination taken to a new level of intensity: The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro combines breathtaking performance with the experience of open-top driving. The 386 kW (525 hp) V10 engine accelerates the high-performance sports car with the lightweight cloth top to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 313 km/h (194.49 mph). The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro features a fascinating package of technologies, including the Audi Space Frame (ASF) made of aluminum and carbon fiber composite, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, LED headlights and the innovative seatbelt microphone. The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro captivates from the very first glance. Its lines offer a unique interpretation of the dynamics and emotion of a high-performance sports car. Two distinctive silver cowls, into which the large air intake openings are integrated, give the long back a powerful profile. Unlike the Coupé, the Audi R8 Spyder has classic air intakes behind the doors. The rear side panels and the large cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top are made of a carbon fiber composite. The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro sports a cloth soft top in classic Audi style. The soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 42 kilograms (92.59 lb); it thus keeps the vehicle’s total weight and center of gravity low. When closed it melds harmoniously into the design line – it ends in two slim fins that extend toward the rear and have a contour similar to that of the Audi R8 …

Now even more powerful, lighter and faster: Audi presents the Audi R8 GT – a limited-production version of the Audi R8 high-performance sports car. The output of its 5.2-liter V10 has been increased to 412 kW (560 hp); vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100 kilograms (220.46 lb). The Audi R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph). The R8 high-performance sports car has been a winner from the very beginning. This applies to both the production models, winners of the “World Performance Car” Award in 2008 (R8) and in 2010 (R8 V10), and to the race car, the R8 LMS, which won 23 races in its first season and claimed three championships. The genes of the race version are now coming to the street – in the Audi R8 GT. The exclusive series is limited to 333 units. Each Audi R8 GT has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob. Consistent use of lightweight construction: 100 kilograms (220.46 lb) trimmed The production Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro is already a shining example of the Audi’s lightweight construction philosophy. Its aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body weighs only 210 kilograms (462.97 lb). The aluminum body panels are joined to the frame of extruded profiles and cast nodes by means of positive and friction connections. The engine frame is made of ultra lightweight magnesium.

The 2011 Audi RS5 at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show

Audi dropped a very pleasant surprise on us this afternoon with the long-awaited announcement of the R8 GT. The Audi R8 V10 was already one of our favorite sports cars in the world (sans the R-Tronic transmission) so how could you make it better? In the immortal words of Colin Chapman, “add lightness.” But in a modern sports car required to meet rigorous safety standards, you can only go so far short of a complete redesign. Hence, the R8 GT’s lightened chassis benefits from a power boost to boot. The R8 GT swaps in a thinner glass windshield and polycarbonate rear windows and replaces many aluminum body panels with carbon fiber. By going over every part of the R8, Audi’s engineers have carved a total of 220 pounds off the standard R8′s curb weight. The 5.2-liter V10 has been bumped from 525 horsepower to 560, topping its cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo. The GT is only available with the aforementioned R-Tronic hydraulically actuated semi-automatic, and when pushed to its limit, the R8 GT is claimed to accelerate to 62 miles per hour in just 3.6 seconds and on to 124 mph in 10.6 seconds. The terminal velocity has been increased to 198.8 mph. Only 333 examples of the R8 GT will be built and the price in Germany is €193000 ($256000 USD). No mention is made of US availability, but we’d be surprised if Audi doesn’t apportion a few for Stateside consumption.

Audi opens the R8 to the sky and sacrifices little in doing so. 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro – First Drive Review www.caranddriver.com 2010 Audi R8 5.2 V10 FSI Quattro vs. 2009 Ferrari 430 Scuderia – Comparison Tests www.caranddriver.com

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Check back Monday, 1/11/10 for Full Coverage 2010 Detroit Auto Show Preview: www.insideline.com More Articles: www.insideline.com Car Prices & Info www.edmunds.com Twitter Feed twitter.com Facebook Page www.facebook.com Hi-Res Videos: www.hulu.com side-line 2010 Detroit Auto Show It's been a tough year for Detroit. Car sales in the tank, bankruptcies left and right and constant meddling from Washington. What could possibly pull the Big Three out of the muck? Audi R8 Bentley Mulsanne Ford Mustang Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Cadillac XTS Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet Volvo C-30

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The new supercharged v6 powered 2010 Audi S4 and S4avant is all here. see more at Riveramotorsport.net