2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder is an Open-Air Track Weapon

Audi has dropped the top on one of its most powerful models and the 2017 Chicago Auto Show offered us our first chance to see this new convertible. 

Aside from breathtaking performance, the biggest attraction with this car is its folding top. Constructed of fabric, the retractable lid can be opened or closed in just 20 seconds at speeds up to 31 miles an hour. Keeping mass in check, this assembly weighs less than 100 pounds, a minimal weight penalty for open-air driving.

As with many other vehicles in its lineup, the R8 features an aluminum space frame architecture. About 80 percent of this structure is made of the lightweight metal. Thanks to copious amounts of advanced engineering, this vehicle is more than 50 percent stiffer than its predecessor.

But now for the best part. Mounted behind its passenger compartment is a high-winding 5.2-liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine. Spinning to a heady 8,700 RPM, it delivers 540 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. Those figures deliver a top speed just shy of 200 miles an hour.

2017 Chicago Auto Show Coverage

A seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission routes power to each wheel through Audi’s famed quattro all-wheel-drive system. Interestingly, up to 100 percent of the engine’s torque can be sent to the front axle if conditions warrant.

Inside, the R8 Spyder features 18-way power-adjustable seats for maximum support. Additionally, it sports Audi’s innovative virtual cockpit, which replaces traditional instruments with a 12.3-inch digital display that is fully customizable.

If you’re interested, a 2017 Audi R8 V10 Spyder can be yours for just $176,350 including twelve-fifty in delivery fees. At that price, you’d be a fool not to buy one… hell, get two of ‘em!