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This is the stunning new Audi R8 Spider with a fully convertible fabric roof. Contrary to previous reports the R8 Spider won’t have a lift-out targa-style panel, but a folding roof that will tuck away neatly next to the rear bulkhead.

What’s the evidence the Audi R8 Spider will be a proper convertible?

The clues are obvious. The rear bodywork is new (see our photos for comparison with a regular R8), with a two-piece flat rear deck replacing the sweeping pillars of the coupe. This allows for a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder-style folding roof, with small rear fabric buttresses.

In our photos these buttresses are partially disguised by the fake sloping rear screen. Beneath this, and on the production cars, you’ll find a glass cover showing the engine in all its glory. Expect most R8 Spider owners to tick the options box for the LED engine bay lighting.

Although not visible in our pictures, the other clue this R8 is a full drop-top has been the movement of the fuel filler cap. It no longer sits on the rear pillar, because that no longer exists. It has instead moved to a position just ahead of the rear wheelarch.

Cool. What else should I know about the Audi R8 Spider?

The car in our spy photos has different front and rear bumpers from any R8 seen thus far. Inspiration seems to have come from the TT Clubsport Quattro with chromed strakes dividing the front air intakes. There are also reprofiled side sills, and noticeable by their absence are the R8’s famous side blades.

At the back this R8 Spider has twin exhaust pipes, which so far have only been spotted on the V10 prototypes. However, our car lacks the V10’s distended side air intakes. Nevertheless, in the true Audi tradition of filling every niche, both V8 and V10 versions of the Spider will be available. We’ve also got our fingers crossed that Audi offers this car’s matt black paint.

Right, pricings and timings please?

An R8 currently costs £78,300 in UK money, so expect to cough up at least £85k for an Spider version. Add another £7k if you want an R-tronic gearbox and at least ten grand more for the V10 version. That car will appear later this year, while the Spider is expected in mid-2009, with a debut at either the Geneva or Frankfurt motor show.

Daddycools been looking at purchasing a vespa.. bttos says…

He found a half decent super bike but apparently his wife didn’t quite suit the fast bike =(

• New limited edition Mégane Renaultsport R26.R made its worldwide debut at the British International Motor Show
• Developed from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26, the R26.R retains the same engine, gearbox and limited slip differential but with a significant weight reduction of 123kg
• Achieves new lap record of the Nurburgring of 8m 17s, the fastest for a front wheel drive production car
• Features from the world of racing with a carbon fibre bonnet, polycarbonate windows and Sabelt race seats
• Produced at the Alpine Renault factory in Dieppe
• Price to be confirmed
• Limited to 450 examples worldwide and on sale from October

The Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 was launched in November 2006 and has enjoyed a great success. Using this base, Renaultsport launch an extreme version, the Mégane Renaultsport R26.R. Developed by Renault Sport Technologies, the Mégane R26.R joins the family that also comprises the Clio Renaultsport 197, Mégane Renaultsport 225, Mégane Renaultsport dCi 175 and, from September, the Twingo Renaultsport 133. Since the launch in April 2004, the family of Mégane Renaultsport has sold more than 20,000 units in almost 30 countries.

The launch of this ultimate version reinforces Renault Sport Technologies as the manufacturer of high performance cars in their segments.

Mégane R26.R has been developed to:
- offer customers who enjoy trackdays a car with an unrivalled performance to price ratio
- be a collectors car

Radical looks
Renault Sport Technologies have given the Mégane R26.R visual differences that mark out the car from the first glance. The carbon fibre bonnet and new 18” alloy wheels in red are the main visual clues together with a new rear spoiler, R26.R decals and logos and polycarbonate in place of glass in the the tailgate and rear side windows. The R26.R is available in seven colours, two of which are new to the Mégane, Racing Blue and Renault i.d. Lunar Grey and one is brand new, Renault i.d. Pearlescent White.

Inside the R26.R the atmosphere is as radical as the outside. Competition seats with a carbon fibre shell are supplied by Sabelt. Conventional lap and diagonal seat belts can be fitted as an accessory. No rear seat is fitted. The steering wheel and gearlever gaiter are in leather and suede. A plaque shows the production number for each country:
- 230 for the UK
- 126 for France
- remainder split between Germany, Spain and Switzerland

Lightweight DNA
To improve the power to weight ratio, the Mégane R26.R has been on a strict diet, losing 123kg compared to the standard R26. This has been achieved by the removal of:
- Rear seats and seat belts
- Passenger airbag and curtain airbags (the driver’s airbag remains)
- Climate control (air conditioning remains as standard)
- Rear wash/wipe and heated rear window
- Front fog lamps
- Headlamp washers
- Radio/CD player
- Most of the soundproofing

Other new elements are:
- carbon fibre bonnet
- tailgate and rear side windows in polycarbonate
- Sabelt seats with carbon fibre shell and aluminium base
- Rear spoiler
- Optional titanium exhaust
- Optional roll cage

A chassis without compromise
The suspension and brakes have been modified to make the most of the new, lighter weight and to provide the maximum performance. The front independent suspension is maintained but with the following new parts:
- new front springs (14mm/100kg compared to 13.4mm/100kg)
- new rear springs (16.2mm/100kg from 15.1mm/100kg)
- the shock absorber settings are also re-calibrated
- the brake discs are grooved instead of drilled
- new alloy wheels are fitted with a different offset increasing the track by 4mm
- Toyo Proxes R888 225/40R18 tyres are available as an option in place of the standard Michelin Pilot Sport 2 235/40R18
- Stiffer lower arm bushes

To guarantee the best possible traction, the R26.R retains the limited slip differential from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. This is a mechanical differential with helical teeth and retains the same transfer rate of 33%. The combination of this limited slip differential and independent steering-axis front suspension minimises torque steer and enables the power to be applied earlier during cornering.

A performance car needs brakes that are both powerful and resistant to fade. The Mégane R26.R has large 312mm ventilated discs at the front with Brembo four-piston callipers that provide stopping power at the highest level. To resist fade, the discs are grooved as opposed to drilled.

230hp
The R26.R has the same engine and gearbox from the Mégane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26. This develops a peak power of 230hp and torque of 310Nm. A characteristic of this engine is the wide power band, with 90% of the torque available from 2000 to 6000rpm.

However, to reduce the gear change time, a short-shift gearlever is fitted.

The R26.R accelerates from zero to 62mph in 6 seconds and passes the 1000 metre mark in 25.9 seconds. The combined consumption is 33.2 mpg and emissions are 199g/km.

Nurburgring lap record
On 23 June, the Mégane R26.R established a new lap record for a front wheel drive production car of the Nurburgring circuit with a time of just 8 minutes 17 seconds. To commemorate this exceptional level of performance, the circuit outline and lap time is engraved in the rear side windows. (I bet Ned could beat this time though)

Alpine Renault at Dieppe
The R26.R will be produced at the Alpine Renault factory in Dieppe, Northern France, a site dedicated to Renaultsport. The R26.R will be produced on the normal production line along with the Clio Renaultsport and other Mégane Renaultsport. The final finishing and the short shift gearlever will be performed in the competition workshop alongside the production of the Clio Cup and Mégane Trophy race cars.

The Mégane R26.R goes on sale in October limited to just 450 examples in total