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2011 Audi R8 Spyder V10

More spy shots have surfaced of the R8 Spyder, this time wielding the beastly 5.2-liter, 520 horsepower V10. The car was spotted circling the German Nurburgring test track, of course, and is expected to be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Weight savings seems to be a focus of the convertible model, with a soft top instead of the heavier but more attractive retractable hard top. For the Spyder version, Audi has unfortunately removed the signature aluminum side blade, which added a sense of aggressiveness and broke up the long wheelbase, which otherwise looks a bit awkward. The coupe version of the R8 is a gorgeous car, and the convertible version destroys what made the coupe so pretty.

Some cars should not be made into a convertible, and the R8 is one of them. The R8 is one of my all-time favorite cars, but the Spyder version is disappointing.

More spy photos below.