We finally know the price of Audi’s latest R8 V10 Spyder and it’s surprisingly close to the outgoing Spyder – if you equip the earlier model with an automatic – which is the only transmission available on the newest R8.

The gorgeous new body pushes the cockpit farther forward, making the car look sleeker and more purposeful, while the R8 coupe’s distinctive sideblade is finally added for consistency across the model line. Deleting the active rear spoiler also tightens the rear end up and allows more ventilation for engine cooling.

Those who value the performance of a lightweight car tend to opt for the one with a fixed roof, but now you can justify spending the extra for the 198 mph tanning machine. When a manufacturer lops the top off of a car that also comes as a coupe, it usually means the roadster variant is going to be a lot heavier. Not so with this lithe little monster. The convertible ends up with just an 18 lb. penalty through judicious use of aluminum and carbon fiber. Audi claims this stiffens the car by more than 50 percent, so go ahead and pony up without any guilt.

From a dead standstill the new Spyder’s engine will propel it to sixty mph in 3.5 seconds, a tenth of a second quicker than its predecessor. While the car may be fast, it’s top is not. The dance of the electronic soft top takes 20 seconds, so only attempt to operate it at the longest of red lights.

With a starting price just north of $176,000, it’s not cheap, but things this beautiful rarely are. The 2017 R8 Spyder is available now at your local Audi dealer, just in time for the upcoming Spring weather.

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