Audi’s sensational new R8 Spyder

The Audi R8 Spyder Plus is a masterpiece if you're short enough to enjoy it, says Chris Carter.

"Give it the full potatoes in the first three gears and you'll need more than Mr Loophole to keep you from a stint at Her Majesty's pleasure," says Stuart Gallagher in Evo."Do the same in the following three gears and you'll want to hope the local constabulary's helicopter hasn't been cleared for take off." The V10 Plus is simply a masterpiece: "intoxicating and as destructive as a fox in a chicken coop". Retract the roof and there is no escaping its "thunderous soundtrack". Revving is addictive and escaping from corners becomes a must.

Variant: R8 Plus 5.2 FSI quattro S tronic Spyder. Price: £149,820. Engine: 5,204cc, V10, petrol. Power: 601bhp @ 8,250rpm.Torque: 413 lb ft @6,500rpm. Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch sequential auto, four-wheel drive. Acceleration: 0-62mph: 3.3sec.

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