Audi R8

Audi R8
Audi R8
	Audi R8
Overview
Manufacturer	quattro GmbH (a subsidiary of Audi)
Production	2007–present ; 4,289 built
Assembly	Neckarsulm, Germany
Body and chassis
Class	Sports car, Halo vehicle
Body style	2-door coupé
Layout	Mid-engine, all-wheel drive
Related	Lamborghini Gallardo
Powertrain
Engine	4.2 L V8 FSI; 6.0L V12
Transmission	6-speed manual; 6-speed single-clutch semi-automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	Template:Auto in
Length	Template:Auto mm
Width	Template:Auto mm
Height	Template:Auto mm
Curb weight	Template:Auto kg
Chronology
Predecessor	Audi Le Mans quattro concept

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007.

The first appearance of the car was in 2006, appearing at auto shows and events all over the world. The R8 is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform, as Audi has full ownership of subsidiary Lamborghini S.p.A.. 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).

Pricing for the R8 model starts at around €88,000, although in Ireland, due to high VRT the base price of the R8 is about €160,000. The base price in the US is $109,000.^[3]

Technical details

The Audi R8 is equipped with a 4.2 L FSI V8 developing Template:Auto PS, the same engine used in the B7 Audi RS4.

The transmission is either a manual gearbox with metal gate, or a "R-tronic" gearbox (single-clutch robotic gearbox). These options are the same that are available on the Lamborghini Gallardo. A double clutch gearbox (DSG, S-tronic) is not currently (as of January 2008) available.

The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). Its suspension utilizes magneto rheological dampers.^[4]

As Audi AG owns Lamborghini (Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), 15% of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including the transmission and chassis. The R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine, and pricing.

The Audi R8 also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system,^[5] and Carbon-Ceramic composite brakes with monobloc Brembo calipers on all four wheels.

Production

In the production of the Audi R8, 70 workers fit 5000 unique parts by hand - the factory produces 25 cars a day. Ninety-five lasers inspect the entire car in 5 seconds to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 mm of the programmed plans.^[6]

Performance

Specifications^[7]
Top speed	187 mph (301 km/h)
0-60 mph (96 km/h)	4.0 seconds
0-100 mph (160 km/h)	10.1 seconds
1/4 mile (~400 m)	12.5 seconds @ 113.2 mph (182.2 km/h)
Type	V8
Displacement	4.2 L (4163 cc)
Power	Template:Auto bhp @ 7,800 rpm
Lateral Acceleration (200 feet (61 m) skidpad)	1.01 g

The 2-seat coupe is already available in Europe, and will be made available to the USA in the summer of 2008. In addition, an open-top roadster, Porsche Carrera GT-like model is rumoured to follow in 2009^{[citation needed]}.

Many publications were hailing it as the first car to truly be able to beat Porsche - considered by many to be one of the best supercars ever made, and the leader in its class. Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine in its comparison test between the R8, 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6 have claimed that the Audi is a better supercar saying that "Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today."^[8] Other publications have also made similar reviews of the Audi beating the Porsche in comparison tests.^[2]^[9]

Future development

The Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, a 6.0L, Template:Auto HP, Template:Auto lb ft V12 TDI diesel concept car, was presented at the Detroit Auto Show on January 13th, 2008.^[10]^[11] Due to the additional length of the V12 engine, the TDI variant no longer has storage space behind the front seats. It also features modified suspension and brakes to cope with the additional power and weight of the engine.

A V10 version is also planned for 2009 but was considered being put on hiatus as of Dec 2007. This version of the R8 is going to have the same engine from the RS6, a 5.0 litre V10 engine. It was thought initially that this version of the engine, which produces 580hp, was going to be fitted to the RS8. However, the twin-turbo system overheated, and one prototype was destroyed at the Nürburgring.^[12] It was initially expected that the production version of the high-power R8 would have a new V10 engine developed from the V8 engine that powers the RS4 and the R8. However, due to extra cooling design work done for the V12 TDI concept, a breakthrough was made, and the initial plan for the use of the 5.0 litre V10 from the RS6 is now currenly in the final design stages, so much so that the car has now been signed off for production, and will appear during the second quarter of 2009.^[13]

Awards

The R8 was awarded Best Handling Car and Fastest Car In The World of 2007 by Autocar magazine.

It was awarded SportsCar of the year by German magazine Autobild.

Playboy Magazine awarded it Car of The Year for 2008.

The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the R8 Canadian Car of the Year, and, in addition, awarded it Best Prestige Car and Most Coveted Car of 2008.

Top Gear Magazine named the Audi R8 the 2007 Car of the Year.

Automobile Magazine awarded the R8 the 2008 Automobile of the Year

The Audi R8 was named 2008 "MSN Car of the Year", with 42% of the votes, beating the Ferrari 430 into 2nd with 13%, and the BMW M3 into 3rd with 11%.^[14]