2017 Audi R8 Spyder spy photos

The new second generation Audi R8 Spyder is making its spy photo rounds ahead of next year’s expected 2016 launch.

Spied just this morning near the Nurburgring race track, the upcoming Audi R8 Spyder looks exactly as you would think it would look like and makes the switch from the coupe’s fixed hard roof to a fabric top which will likely add some weight to do vehicle.

As a reminder, the extra weight will effect performances so the 0-100 km/h run will take a little more then the V10 coupe which needs 3.5 seconds for the task while the V10 Plus coupe which does the run in 3.2 seconds.

Also, top speed will likely be lower than the coupe also.

Seen the low in our spy photo gallery is the standard V10 engine version, but we expect a more powerful V10 Plus version to be available from the beginning, with both of them being substantially more expensive than the same type of coupe version.

Compared to the older Audi R8 model, the new R8 Spyder will be up to 50 kg (110 lbs) lighter and will use an evolution of the popular 5.2-liter naturally aspirated engine set to deliver 540 PS (397 kW) and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) in the base model and 610 PS (449 kW) and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) if you order the Plus variant.

Chances are Audi will unveil the world premiere of the all-new Audi R8 Spyder in March 2016 at the Geneva Motor Show, with orders and sales to begin in the second half of the year 2016. Later during the vehicler’s life cycle, a new entry-level model will be added to the lineup  and is set to employ a six-cylinder turbocharged engine.