Audi prepares a topless R8 GT

With production of the high-performance R8 GT getting under way, Audi is preparing a convertible version of the car.

The German automaker released sketches of the R8 GT Spyder on Monday. A full debut is likely at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The R8 GT Spyder will likely use the same all-wheel-drive powertrain as its coupe counterpart, a 5.2-liter V10 rated at 560 hp.

Production of the R8 GT is being limited to 333 copies, and Audi will likely do the same with the Spyder. The coupe has a sticker price of $198,050 in the United States.

By Dale Jewett