Audi R8
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The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car released by the German automaker Audi in 2006. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans Quattro concept car, which was based on the earlier Audi RSQ concept vehicle, appearing at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8’s successor, the diesel-powered R10).
Technical Details
The Audi R8 is already available with a 4.2 L V8 developing 414 hp, the same engine seen in the Audi RS4. Pricing for the 414 bhp model starts from €104,400 or £77,000. The base price in the US is $109,000 for the 6-speed manual. An R-Tronic equipped R8 will be priced at $118,000. The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb).
As Audi AG owns Lamborghini, 15% of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including the transmission and chassis. The R8 is made further distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine and pricing.
The European Audi R8 will also be the first production vehicle to feature all-LED headlights.
The Audi R8 also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Performance
All performance statistics provided by Road and Track
Power: 414 bhp/7800 rpm
0-60mph: 4.0 secs (with manual transmission)/ 4.3 seconds with automatic transmission (R tronic)
0-100mph: 10.1 seconds
1/4 Mile: 12.5 seconds at 113.2mph
Top Speed: 187 mph/301 km/h (Drag Limited)
Lateral Acceleration (200-ft skidpad): 1.01g
The 2-seat coupe will be made available to the U.S. in the summer of 2008. In addition, an open-top, Porsche Carrera GT-like model will follow in 2009.
For 2009 a second, more powerful engine variant that uses a 570-hp 5.2 L V10, an enlarged version of the Lamborghini Gallardo’s engine and already seen in the Audi S8, is rumored but not confirmed by Audi. Audi is currently in the process of developing a new turbocharged 5.2 L V10 engine for the future Audi RS6, and there is a possibility that this engine will make its way into the R8, dependent on marketing decisions. Test mules of this vehicle are developing well in excess of 600 bhp with the turbocharged 5.2 L V10. If this were to happen it is almost certain that this would create an R8-S.
According to some sources[4] the 6.0L V12 TDI diesel engine from Audi Q7 has been confirmed to Audi R8 as well. This would make Audi R8 by far the fastest diesel powered road car in the world with 0 - 100 km/h acceleration in less than 3.7 seconds. However the V12 diesel found in the Q7 is unlikely to make it in due to the fact that the engine may well be too large and to heavy for the R8 engine bay. The 4.2L V8 TDI available now in the Q7 gives up 24bhp but has oceans more torque, 560 lb ft compared to the 4.2L FSI petrol engine’s paltry 317 lb ft. Hooked up to either the R8’s six-speed manual or six-speed R tronic transmissions, the four-wheel-drive supercar should be capable of going from 0-60mph in around five seconds, with a top speed of 160mph and it will return around 30mpg.
More Pictures:
Sources:
- Article from Wikipedia.
- Pictures taken by Pierre Ziadeh.
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