Jalopnik: spyder

Porsche Boxter Spyder Shows Off In Mountain Driving Clip

Ben Wojdyla — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:30:00 EST

This is what every single Porsche Boxster Spyder will dream about when it goes to sleep at night: zipping around curvy mountain roads, unencumbered by hoards of maliciously slow RVs and driven well past the speed limit. Ah, dreams.

Porsche Boxster Spyder: The Lightest Porsche You Can Buy

Ray Wert — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 06:30:00 EST

At 2,811 lbs — only 11 lbs more than the 10-year-old 986 Porsche Boxster — the new 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder will be the lightest Porsche you can buy after it's unveiled at next month's LA Auto Show.

But it's not just lighter, it's also powerful thanks to the Boxster Spyder's 3.4-liter six-cylinder engine putting out 320 horses — that's 10 more HP than the Boxster S. So, wait, let's get this straight — it'll be 176 lbs lighter than the Boxster S and get a touch more power? Wow.

If you're already wondering where you sign up — here's better news. The new Porsche also gets an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm providing a lower center of gravity and a standard limited slip differential.

Mate the performance to a unique look reminiscent of the Carrera GT and we already know you're getting your checkbooks ready. But wait, like Billy Mays used to say, there's more — the price tag on the new lightweight Porsche-uh is just $61,200 when it goes on sale in February.

Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder Spied

The Auto Insider — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:00:00 EDT

What you're looking at are some of the first images of the full production version of Audi's upcoming 525 HP 5.2-liter V10 R8 Spyder. It looks remarkably similar to our speculative illustration created last year.

It's rumored to launch with only the 5.2-liter V10 under its new vented rear deck, though it's likely that the 4.2-liter V8 will show up later on in the production cycle. Gone are the trademark sideblades on the coupe, creating, what we feel, is a much cleaner execution. Performance figures for the Teutonic ragtop are expected to be similar to the R8 coupe with a top speed that will land slightly lower on the chart.

Initially thought to be revealed during today's Audi Centennial celebration, the R8 Spyder will likely make its formal world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with a cameo in the upcoming comic book sequel, Iron Man 2 in 2010.

[Note, these photos have apparently been on GermanCarBlog since August. Based on information we have it seems as though this is almost identical to the near-production V10 model. The last photo in the set is the photo illustration we previously posted]

Image © Kors Design

Audi R8 Spyder V10 Tears Up Nürburgring Nordschleife

The Auto Insider — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 07:30:00 EDT

We're told to expect its appearance in Iron Man 2, but last week spy photographers caught up with the Audi R8 Spyder at the Nürburgring.

Normally, images would suffice, but nothing can replace the snarling shriek of the 5.2-liter V10 at full song.

There's no mistaking this particular prototype with the lesser 4.2-liter V8 model. We've heard rumor that Audi will exclusively offer the 525 HP, 390 lb-ft of torque, 5.2-liter V10 FSI in the Spyder, but we find it difficult to believe a V8 won't be offered at all. Equipped either way, the R8 Spyder will surely remove all stress and worry from your life with a quick kick to the go pedal. [via autowereld]

1947 Ferrari 166 Corsa Spyder: Oldest Complete Ferrari Mega-Gallery

The Auto Insider — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:00:00 EDT

This 1947 Ferrari 166 Corsa Spyder is one of the rarest cars in existence and also considered to be the oldest, completely original Ferrari. We've got 32 stunning, detailed images for you to drool over.

Currently owned by James Clark of Vancouver, Washington, this rare Ferrari was originally purchased in 1947 for $3800. Clark has spent numerous years restoring this Italian thoroughbred back to its original shine and in our humble opinion, has done an impeccable job.

This Ferrari 166 Corsa Spyder, serial number 004C, is the second Spyder Corsa built and it's been said that it's the fourth Ferrari ever constructed. You read that right — The fourth Ferrari. Ever. In total, eight Corsa Spyders were ever created, but this car is one of two that still have the original body in place.

Powered by a longitudinally, front mounted SOHC 2.0-liter V12 featuring two valves per cylinder and three Weber carbs. It produced a measly 110 horsepower @ 6000 rpm, but for the day it was one of the faster derby horses and really paved the way for modern day Ferrari V12s.

The 'Rossa Corsa' red body was formed in aluminum and laid down on a tubular steel frame suspended by double wishbone control arms with transverse semi-elliptic leaf springs and friction dampers in the front; while a live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs and Houdaille friction dampers round out the rear suspension setup. At 1763 pounds, this early racer must not have been a screaming rocket, but with drum brakes at all four corners, we're sure it was about as scary as a rocket to drive.

Take a peek below to gander at some of the finer details of this rarer than rare Ferrari.

[via TeamSpeed, UltimateCarPage]

General specifications
Country of origin Italy
Chassis number 004 C
Numbers built 8
Produced from 1947 - 1948

Engine
Configuration 60º V 12
Location Front, longitudinally mounted
Construction light alloy block and head
Displacement 1.995 liter / 121.7 cu in
Bore / Stroke 60.0 mm (2.4 in) / 58.8 mm (2.3 in)
Compression 7.5:1
Valvetrain 2 valves / cylinder, SOHC
Fuel feed 3 Weber Carburetors
Aspiration Naturally Aspirated

Drivetrain
Chassis/body aluminum body on steel tubular frame
Front suspension double wishbones, transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring, friction dampers
Rear suspension live axle, semi-elliptic leaf springs, Houdaille friction dampers
Brakes drums, all-round
Gearbox 5 speed Manual
Drive Rear wheel drive

Dimensions
Weight 1763.7 lbs
Length / Width / Height 3835 mm (151 in) / 1549 mm (61 in) / 1010 mm (39.8 in)
Wheelbase / Track (fr/r) 2420 mm (95.3 in) / 1270 mm (50 in) / 1200 mm (47.2 in)