Maxed Out: A Fully Loaded 2020 Audi R8 Spyder
The R8 Spyder bridges the gap between sports car and supercar. Other supercars that cost six figures have an edge in terms of raw power and aerodynamics, but the R8 Spyder from Audi is more approachable. It's an everyday supercar that happens to run 200 MPH.
The Audi R8 Spyder has only been slightly updated for 2020. For starters, it's V10 engine sits in the middle of the vehicle and not the front. The front fascia has a larger mesh grille and fang-like separators. The interior is luxurious, but small. It's a two-seater with a focus on the driving experience itself.
Performance Capabilities
The heart of the R8 Spyder is a 5.2 Liter, FSI dual injection V10 engine. There aren't many V10 engines on the market, so that's a plus for the R8 Spyder. The V10 power plant is mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission and all-wheel drive propulsion.
There are two powertrain options for the 2020 Audi R8 Spyder. Both have the V10 mid-engine, but the base model is called Quattro S Tronic. It's tuned to produce 562 horsepower and 406 pound feet of torque. The pricier choice is the V10 Performance Quattro S Tronic. It has a top track speed of 204 MPH and can go from zero to 60 in 3.3 seconds. The Performance model produces 602 horsepower and 413 lb. ft. of torque. When you opt for the performance model, it automatically takes the MSRP up to $208,100.
The performance option adds large Audi ceramic brakes, but an additional $700 gives you red brake calipers. There's another performance upgrade that you can equip on the 2020 R8 Spyder from Audi. It has to do with the steering. There's a dynamic steering upgrade that changes the steering ratio based on vehicle speed. It responds better at low and high speeds so that you can make more precise course corrections without braking.
Style Points
If you're trying to max out a 2020 R8 Spyder, then you need to get one of the premium Audi matte paint jobs. Nothing says "custom" like a flat matte paint job. Audi will save you the trouble of visiting a custom detail shop for $6,800.
The Performance model R8 Spyder adds carbon fiber trim on the engine compartment, the mirrors, rear spoiler and side blades. There's no need to splurge on wheels though. The R8 Spyder from Audi comes with 20-inch, 5-star wheels with titanium finish.
Some say it's the little things that make a vehicle truly stand out. So, adding black Audi rings and badges would be a good look. If you want to fully max out the 2020 R8 Spyder you need to choose the carbon fiber exterior package. This puts in a carbon fiber front spoiler, rocker inlays and rear diffuser. Aside from the performance model trim, this is the costliest upgrade. It comes with a price tag of $7,200.
Interior Amenities
When you move to the interior of the R8 Spyder, you get the option to keep sport bucket seats or add diamond stitched leather upholstery. That's another $3,700, but it's one of the best choices for an added touch of supercar luxury. It puts leather on the dashboard, doors, and even on the steering wheel. You can go with a subtle style option by choosing black leather with contrasting color stitching. You can match the exterior paint or go in the other direction with a bold color like red or Palomino brown.
The Performance model really breaks away from being a sports car when it's equipped with carbon fiber door sills and inlays in the dashboard. The 2020 Audi R8 Spyder already comes with a premium sound system. Yet, the maxed out 2020 R8 Spyder has to come equipped with a 550 Watt, 13 speaker surround system from Bang & Olufsen. That's more powerful than the top-of-the-line sound system that comes with the 2020 BMW M8 Coupe.
Safety Gear
Audi doesn't offer any safety features as add-ons for the 2020 R8 Spyder. So, there's no way to increase your safety by spending more money. Luckily, the R8 Spyder from Audi will surely come with some of the most high-tech safety features on the market. Afterall, Audi has the Pre-Sense package which incorporates onboard sensors and cameras to facilitate emergency braking, lane keeping assist, pedestrian detection, and parking assist. Audi has kept the safety equipment list for the new R8 Spyder a closely guarded secret for now, but detailed specs will probably get released sometime later in 2020. Consumers can expect some light version of the Audi Pre Sense package on the R8.
The Takeaway
Audi is notorious for costly bundles and package deals. Surprisingly, there aren't that many packaged features for the 2020 R8 Spyder. When you drop six figures on a supercar, you want it to come fully loaded. Audi certainly doesn't disappoint in that regard.
One add-on seemed a bit superfluous though. Audi charges an extra $1,349 for Audi prepaid scheduled maintenance. Most automakers don't offer a pre-paid option for scheduled maintenance and some even provide free maintenance via powertrain and mileage warranties. So, that's one example of a typical Audi price gouge.
A fully maxed out 2020 Audi R8 Spyder costs around $232,699. It comes with an Audi exclusive matte paint job, 20-inch wheels and carbon fiber accents. It has ceramic brakes, a mid-engine V10 engine that's sport-tuned to produce 602 horsepower. The interior has a Bang & Olufsen sound system, diamond stitched Nappa leather, and carbon fiber inlays.
The 2020 Audi R8 Spyder is a supercar, for sure. It's a high-tech driving machine that can outperform some Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Mid-engine supercars from brand names like Audi and Chevrolet are a relatively new phenomenon. People will just have to get used to the idea of dropping more than $200,000 at an Audi dealership.