T
here’s a reason you don’t see crowds heading to a music gig
sporting earmuffs. And that’s because sound is so much
better when there’s nothing sat between you and it.
Sure, pop pest Justin Bieber may be the exception here,
but still, generally speaking, the fewer obstructions the better.
All of which makes dropping the top on the new Audi R8 Spyder,
inviting the unfiltered roar of its thumping V10 engine into the cabin,
such a treat. Without a thick and heavy metal roof in place to muffle
the sound – and with its paper-thin fabric roof lowered – you’re able
to take in the full automotive orchestra, a sound that bounces around
the tiny two-seat cockpit like a malevolent spirit.
It’s a sensation improved by the fact Audi’s huge engine isn’t found
in the bonnet – that’s reserved for the ‘ample’ luggage space, provided
your luggage consists of a sandwich and a travel-sized packet of
tissues. Instead, the donk’s mounted what feels like an alarming 10cm
behind your head. And so it is you can physically and aurally engage
every rumble and rasp.
The roof on this spanking new Germanic drop top will open or
close in 20 seconds, and can be called on to do so at speeds of up to
50km/h. It means an ability to quickly open the thing on the approach
to a tunnel – to throw that howling V10 sound against the walls and
listen as it bounces around, likely scaring the bejesus out of anyone
else driving within the confined space.
Yes, forget all the shiny metal, the supercar-looks and massive
gaping grille, it’s the engine that’s the true star of the Spyder –
a 5.2-litre beast that’ll generate 397kW and 540Nm, firing it to all
four wheels with startling ferocity every time you prod the accelerator.
The engine is the same found in the Lamborghini Huracán.And while that piece of shouty, angular Italiano costs north of $470k,
the R8 Spyder’s a comparative bargain at just $388,500. Comparative.
The Spyder claims a lightning quick zero-to-100km/h sprint of
3.6 seconds, though it honestly feels faster with her top off – well,
life quickens sans vetements, non? – the wind snatching at your
face, rendering all the German engineering in the world powerless
when it comes to keeping the cabin completely calm at speed.
And it’s at brutal speed that this thing sings. OK, snarls.
Push a right foot into the carpet and the R8’s all-wheel-drive system
gets to work, shoveling all that power into the road below without
even a hint of spin – propelling the car all the way to a licence-
obliterating 318km/h.
It grips neatly through the corners, but it’s the way it pounces
between bends that will paint the biggest smile across the face of
anyone lucky enough to place two hands on the wheel at speed. As a
result, you can’t but help push this thing harder and harder – openly
and manically laughing at what it gives back as you search for the
outer limits of the R8’s insane levels of grip, realising, perhaps, that
you’re not the one to find those limits – if they even exist.
Another of the R8’s better party tricks is the chance to leave all the
supercar stuff behind when you want. Select the ‘Comfort’ driving
mode and watch as it stows its cape and behaves much like any other
car, admirably soaking up road bumps and cruising comfortably,
and quietly, about any city.
The transformation from supercar to everyday commuter is so
convincing that you can, on occasion, forget you’re driving something
so special. That is, of course, until you spot an approaching tunnel
and find yourself reaching to open the roof. n audi.com.auMEN OF THE YEAR 2017 GQ.COM.AU 119