2017 Audi R8 Spyder spied completely undisguised

Looking resplendent in bright yellow, the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder has been spied completely undisguised for the first time ever. Last month, two more R8 Spyder models were seen testing in the Namibian desert. It is quite probable that both these instances are linked to the process of creating the press photos and that the official debut will happen shortly.

Aside from the missing roof, the new Spyder's exterior differs very little from the coupe's. The major styling difference is apparent in the rear deck, where the coupe's fastback taper is abandoned to accommodate the drop-top. Where the R8 coupe has a sloped rear window, the Spyder has a smart cover with prominent vents for the engine bay; the power-folding roof presumably stores beneath that when lowered. The new Spyder also looks a lot like the outgoing model (also no surprise), right down to the stylized ventilation panels over the mid-mounted V10. Spot it from the rear, and only the inverted grille and tail lamp assemblies really give it away. 

There don't appear to be any real surprises in the interior either, where the coupe's styling and control interfaces seem to have made the transition almost completely unaltered save for whatever switches are used to manipulate the soft top.

Like the R8 coupe, we reckon the top-spec 540PS V10 and 602PS V10 Plus trims to appear first. Many reports have also emerged on the development of an entry-level version for the R8 series fitted with a twin-turbocharged V6 engine instead of a larger V8, mainly to satisfy demand for smaller displacement engines in China, and which should be offered in the Spyder as well.

Given that this unit looks almost showroom-ready, expect Audi to officially reveal the 2017 Audi R8 Spyder sometime in the next few months.

Images: Autoevolution