Stelvio Pass, Italy—A pilgrimage from Ingolstadt, Germany,
through Switzerland, across Austria, and traversing 50-something
switchbacks to 9000 ft. Top-down all the way in this rarefied Audi R8 GT
Spyder, its 560-bhp V-10’s sing-song reverberating off the Alps and
letting me hit a personal top-down record of 280 km/h, although it’s
capable of 317. Some days are better than others. Only 50 of 333 Spyders are coming to the U.S. , and this particular one in its unique flat-metallic Sepang Blue paint is No. 000/333.
Originally introduced as a tribute to the winning Audi R8 LMS race car, Audi’s mid-engine coupe came with a 420-bhp V-8 and all-wheel drive, much of its fundamentals borrowed from the Lamborghini Gallardo.
We wondered if it would ever rival the Italian exotic, and shortly it
was infused with the same potent V-10, rated just below that of its more
flamboyant cousin. The new GT doesn’t give away much, just 10 bhp, yet
it retains civility and road comfort the Lambo lacks. Surprisingly, it
shaves weight by 187 lb. over the standard Spyder. Massive
carbon-ceramic brakes and a fixed rear wing account for some of the
savings. Top up, it’s surprisingly quiet and comfortable, but it’s
better down to let in the V-10’s glorious cacophony.
The R tronic transmission, the only gearbox, shifts with paddle-snapping
precision and all-important exhaust bark. The Spyder is said to hit 62
mph in 3.8 seconds; I’d guess it’s quicker. Carving around the
switchbacks and lunging to the next corner, listening to the engine hum,
smelling the pines and moss, it’s hard to imagine a better day. You
want one too? Get in line and have your $200,000 ready as they’re going
to sell quickly.
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