Audi R8 Targa First Spy Shots

Copyright by Carpix / Audi R8 Targa
by Clinton Deacon
August 12, 2008 8:20 PM
Filed Under: Audi, German, Spy Photos

Here they are! The first shots of the open top Audi R8 snapped by our resident spy photographer at Carpix and even better is the lack of camoflage on this virtually undisguised prototype.

Speculation is still rife on the actual label the new R8 variant will carry, Targa, Convertible/Cabriolet and Spider have been thrown about. Previous rumours surrounding the confirmation of the model stated it will be called Targa and seeing as this prototype's only covered area resides behind the rear seats – Targa is what we will stick with.

We can all but confirm the 420hp 4.2-liter FSI engine found in the currently-on-sale coupe version will make its way to the Targa, but check out those exhausts pipes on the spotted prototype! They mimic the pipes seen on V10 prototypes, confirming to us that we will also get an open-top variant of the as yet unreleased Audi R8 V10.

Unveiling of the Audi R8 Targa is expected at the Geneva Motor Show next March.

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Comments

Nurchus
August 12, 2008 8:25 PM
Bravo Audi, bravo!! Truly beautiful. I'd still prefer the hard top version, but this soft top definitely looks nice.

Now I wish I had the funds to purchase one.

dmanero
August 12, 2008 8:43 PM
Looks good enough, but losing the side blade for the intake and making it part of the body is just not the way to go. The side blade are just one of the many characteristics of the R8 that make it the car that we love and shouldn't be removed.

dbehmoaras
August 13, 2008 8:14 AM
i completely agree with you i would have hoped that the sideblades would even be slightly flared

dmanero
August 12, 2008 8:46 PM
and just to add, a couple of days ago someone mentioned that it reminded him too much of a audi tt. and in someways from the rear it does. So I not sure if the is the right direction for the audi.

Kaamraan
August 12, 2008 8:56 PM
I agree with you on both of those notes. This air intake makes it look like... A normal car... (well a normal mid-rear/rear engine anyway...) Now it is pretty much a TT with a big engine in the back.

Joe_Limon
August 12, 2008 9:00 PM
hmm looks like an audi body kit on a newer mr2

catchmyshadow
August 12, 2008 9:52 PM
the soft top looks like a big fake, could also be a targa roof underneath it. very mysterious :D

daviepops
August 13, 2008 9:29 AM
I'm agree, the canvas top looks all wrong (too smooth on the central roof area and too lumpy near the rear/sides), also the fit of the hard side and rear sections look kind of temporary, could it all be hiding something else, but what because there's no space to store a folding metal hardtop??? The side blades just HAVE to be put back on the production version or it loses that special R8 wow factor.

milonakis
August 12, 2008 9:54 PM
Looks Like An R8.

Sorry, Just Had To.

eas722
August 12, 2008 10:10 PM
audi rip-off grill too...

trevor-k
August 12, 2008 9:54 PM
The flat black is awesome, of course they wont offer it but i think it looks good. The top does look alot better than i thought it would. Looks like this version will be sold out for another 2-3 years, like the hardtop. Audi has really stepped up there game lately the a5-s5 has 2 year wait, and so does the R8.

norther
August 12, 2008 10:57 PM
why does the first spy photo, the one a few days ago, shows the r8 cabrio with those carbon blades on the side intakes, and this one doesen't have them?

Joe_Limon
August 12, 2008 11:08 PM
the one a few days ago was a render, merely someones guess at what it may look like. This one is an actual spy photo.

soupbase
August 13, 2008 2:39 AM
It just isn't an R8 anymore... really.

tootall
August 13, 2008 2:48 AM
You know what?? There was something about this car I did not like and I just could not put my finger on it. At first I thought it was the section with the rear window (and it still is). But Dmanero clearly pointed out that the iconic side blades were removed. And right there and then, it was obvious. No side blades = one dull looking R8. Audi may want to reconsider that one. And speaking about "side blades".... I thought the side blades on the current R8 did serve the purpose as an air delivery item. Or was that for brake friction surface cooling. Either way, the people at Audi may wnat to hang on to those puppies, because they are one of the few things that make the R8, an R8.

catchmyshadow
August 13, 2008 3:24 AM
many people don`t like the blade tho, but imho u are rite it´s a pretty unique thing and it´s one of the things that makes the car that special

BabyMilo
August 13, 2008 8:00 AM
the hard top looks alot better...

dbehmoaras
August 13, 2008 8:17 AM
i would have liked to see a (for lack of a better word) decklid to make it look more like a sports car and less than like a cabriolet

XXXi
August 13, 2008 10:10 AM
It just an R8....but without the make-up..so congrats for Audi building a previously mentioned TT with the engine in the back... putting a little makeup over it and tadadaaam ... instant supercar , whateva' ..., i'm not saying this is less than an R8 or that the R8 isn't a superbly marvel of technology that's bores you after a week in a garage when you see "the little details", i'm just saying to not be soo surprised after all... it's just an...Audi

xenomorph
August 13, 2008 11:51 AM
Obviously you have never been in/driven an R8 for you to say something like that, I am very lucky to have had that oportunity and it is absolutely amazing. Anyone who has driven one will know the feeling. Until you've driven one you will never understand what its like, but it is a great experience. The ride is extreamly comfortable as well for such a sporty car. And the acceleration is so fast that you are forced back into the seat, you can feel your ears pop from the pressure, its just great.

XXXi
August 13, 2008 10:15 AM
Not really a "TT with engine in back" as it's described here .... but a "borrowed" Lamborghini platform with the Audi TT body stretched over it...

The_woo_factor
August 13, 2008 12:30 PM
XXXi... and what is wrong with a lambo platform?

lucifa
August 13, 2008 1:35 PM
am i the only one who thinks the r8 actually looks awesome with the matte black paint?

afterace2
August 13, 2008 5:45 PM
no! i do as well, it looks sick !!

car.fan
August 13, 2008 1:36 PM
XXXi...if everyone has your same view point, then people would not be on a waiting list of 2 years for the R8, many of whom are Lamborghini enthusiasts by the way. "Just an Audi"...your ignorance is blinding. I suppose that Audi would not be one of the leading manufacturers for executive automobiles then, right? And possibly one of the leading performance car manufacturers in the near future. The R8 is Audi's first attempt at a supercar, and it hit the nail on the head. Literally. If you think that the R8 is a stretched TT, then you do not know how to pay attention to detail. It does share certain design cues, however, the TT is one of the best Coupes out there, so why not.

daviepops
August 14, 2008 4:50 PM
Make that three votes ...

catchmyshadow
August 13, 2008 1:50 PM
The R8 is a stunning car, sexy, unique design, great sound and the best daily driver among all supercars on the market. it´s audis first attempt in this segment and they are already among the very best. great work imho...

saint_dracula
August 13, 2008 2:22 PM
Awesome car, keep it up Audi, you have a fan.

alessandro
August 14, 2008 1:00 PM
Looking at this car we should think like that human mayority which subordinated by authoritarian irrationality and belives that "single frame philosophy" is a replacement for philosophy on which we can build our lives. Further sidblades should then became to a socially accepted sub-religious fetish like "no sugar added", astrology or "Made in China". Othervise it just more or less failed attempt to build a supercar.

Monty
August 14, 2008 2:05 PM
I want one sooooo bad!

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