The Audi R8 is a machine that offers its occupants almost everything they could want out of a supercar: stellar handling, intuitive controls, and superb ergonomics. The one chink in the car’s armor is that it does not have outrageous power. That is where the Audi R8 5.2 FSI comes in; its 5.2-liter V-10 creates 105 more ponies than the base model’s 4.2-liter V-8. Since the V-10 has been receiving so much praise and automotive accolades, it was easy to see why Audi decided to make it the sole engine for the new R8 Spyder. Perfect package? Well, if you can afford it. Audi understands that the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Spyder with an estimated-but-not-confirmed price of $170,000 (it may be more) will be a bit much for some. So for 2011 Audi plans to introduce the R8 4.2 FSI Spyder, which will be propelled by the base V-8 engine and save its owner approximately $30,000.

[via Straightline]