2016 New York Motor Show: Audi R8 Spyder revealed

EARDRUMS rejoice. The Audi R8 Spyder has arrived, making it easier than ever to enjoy the spine-tingling scream of that 397kW 5.2-litre V10.

Revealed overnight at the New York Motor Show, the Spyder is offered solely with the Audi R8’s less powerful V10, meaning there’s no 449kW/560Nm Plus version for now.

Still, channelling 397kW/540Nm through a lightning-quick seven-speed gearbox and the latest version of Audi’s rear-biased Quattro all-wheel drive means the Spyder is no fat-cat boulevard cruiser. Flatten the throttle and it’ll hustle from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds, just 0.1sec behind its coupe sibling.

Similar to its predecessor, the Spyder makes do with a cloth roof which can now open or close in 20 seconds, and that rear glass window retracts, too, so you can still enjoy the V10 orchestra even when it’s raining.

As you’d expect, the Spyder’s 1612kg dry weight makes it 125kg heavier than its hardtop siblings, but Audi’s boffins have fitted a clever aluminium lattice structure beneath the skin to help it stay as sharp as possible when the road gets twisty. It’s also made it 50 percent stiffer than the car it replaces.

Inside, you get the same beautifully made cabin as the coupe, complete with Audi’s excellent 12.3-inch Virtual Cockpit display, and full suite of smartphone connectivity.

It’ll arrive in Australia in the first half of 2017, and while pricing is yet to be confirmed, expect it to command a $30K-40K premium over the $366,510 coupe.