The Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro

Make sure you have a “Get out of jail free” card because you are going to need it in this magnificent machine! This car is wickedly quick, and if you do not watch the speedometer, you will be driving with one foot in jail most of the time. I honestly felt pain when I had to return the car, and had a fleet of my colleagues lining up around the block to be given a ride.

From the minute the car starts, the sound of the Spyder’s mid-mounted V10 growls at you.

Only the V10 version gets a convertible top in the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro.

Wailing about with the top down will allow you to hear the siren song of the 525-horsepower 5.2-litre V10 engine at full clip; maximum power comes at 8 000rpm – even better than you can in the coupé. And it lets people see you doing it, too, which is no small factor in the see-and-be-seen sector these cars populate.

The speedometer goes up to a massive 350 kilometres per hour, and you can go from 0 to 100 in four seconds – and then some more. I was able to do this easily and never tired of the shiver of excitement it sent through me. This car makes you smile every time you put your foot down.

Like the coupé, the Spyder gets all the usual Audi goodness you would expect: quattro all-wheel-drive, a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed R-tronic gearbox and, since it is a convertible, heat-resistant leather that can remain up to 68 degrees cooler than regular leather, thanks to a special treatment process.

The 5.2-litre engine features FSI direct fuel injection. Equipped with a manual transmission, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro consumes an average of 14.9 litres of fuel per 100km – a good figure, given its power.

With R-tronic, this figure improves to 13.9 litres.

Its technology features include the Audi Space Frame (ASF), quattro permanent all-wheel drive, full-LED headlights and an innovative seatbelt microphone available as an option, with a spectacular Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Unlike the coupé, the Spyder does not have side blades behind the doors. The side panels and the large cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top are made of a carbon-fibre composite.

Two arched cowls, which extend to the spoiler lip and include large, integrated air vents, give the rear of the open-top two-seater a powerful profile.

The electrohydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds of up to 50km/h. When opened, it folds like a Z into its storage compartment over the V10 engine. The compartment cover opens and closes automatically.

The heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered into the bulkhead.

It can be independently raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with the top up or down.

This gorgeous lady will cost you a hefty R2.2 million, but let me assure you: if you have the money, this is one purchase you will never regret!

The ultimate in toys for boys! ▲

Robbie Stammers