2010 R8 spyder shows its mug

Long-rumored but yet to show its face to the public is the upcoming convertible version of Audi’s game-changing super sports car, the R8. These beautiful and clear spy shots show us a lot about Audi’s next stunner, including its long, slinky, clean bodysides and the new front and rear grille treatments similar to, but more tastefully rendered, than those on the diesel-powered R8 V-12 Le Mans concept.

What we don’t see, however, is just as interesting. For starters, thanks to the prosthetic buttresses and rear window, we can’t tell for certain what the folding top actually looks like, but we’re relatively sure it’s made from canvas, not metal, since the dedicated sports-car chassis—at least insofar as it shares key engineering traits with the Lamborghini Gallardo coupe and its softtop Spyder variant—was not engineered to accommodate a folding hardtop.

Also missing are separate sail panels around the side air intake, or any sort of body panel that would easily lend itself to the contrasting paint schemes that are a signature element of the coupe’s design.

Finally, we still haven’t seen the soon-to-be-optional LED headlamps we’ve been promised since the coupe's launch nearly two years ago.

We're certain, however, that the R8 roadster will be as quick, and as sexy as the coupe. The softtop’s interior also is certain to lose some or all of its behind-the-seats cargo space, but with the top down, sight lines will improve dramatically.

We’ll reserve judgment until we see the production version roll out during the fall auto show season, likely in Paris this October, followed by a start of production by the end of 2009. But based on what we see here, we’re thinking we’ll remain coupe fans when all the dust settles. Then again, on a gorgeous day and with the mid-mounted V-8 at full wail, we’d probably find no reason to complain about the lack of a roof. Bring it on.