FOLLOWING A GALLERY of spy photos posted in June and no shortage of speculation, Audi has today revealed images and technical details of its upcoming 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI.

The Spyder features a number of aesthetic and functional design changes in its leap from hardtop to softtop - the absence of the R8’s signature ‘blade’ panels and the new engine cover being perhaps the most obvious.

Powered by the same 386kW 5.2 litre V10 as that found in the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI, the R8 Spyder is propelled to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds, onto a top speed of 313km/h - a mere 0.2 seconds and 3km/h short of the V10 R8 Coupe.

Utilising Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel-drive platform, the R8 Spyder is built on the same aluminium Audi Space Frame platform as its hardtop sibling.

The main concern with any topless supercar is weight and strength. The R8 Spyder weighs in at 1720kg - 216kg more than the hardtop - and features structural reinforcements in the sills, centre tunnel, rear wall, floor pan and the A- and B- pillars.

Weighing just 30kg, the R8 Spyder uses a cloth roof for optimum weight saving and a low centre of gravity, opening and closing in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h.

The heated glass rear window, separate to the roof itself, lowers into the bulkhead when not in use, and can be raised at the flick of a switch, independent of the roof.

Audi has not revealed pricing or launch details for the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI, but with its Motor Show debut imminent, more details are likely to follow.

GALLERY » 2011 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI