The Audi R8 (Typ 42) is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car, which uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006.
The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.
In 2005, Audi announced 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, appearing at the 2003International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). 6-time24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today". The Audi R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and British Superbike Championshipracing series.
The R8 is due to be replaced with a brand new model in calendar year 2014. The highest output version of Audi's new 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine is expected to power the new car. This engine is scheduled to be previewed as a detuned version in the 2012 Audi S8- with 518 hp (386 kW) on tap. In the R8 application it is expected to produce about 600 hp. Combined with an approximate 200 lb (91 kg) weight loss, the new R8 is expected to compete well with the new Porsche 991 twin turbo model and will likely perform significantly better than the current R8 GT with a 0-60 mph time in 3.2 seconds and a quarter mile in less than 11 seconds. A dual clutch automated gearbox will be offered for the first time.
Models
4.2 V8
Coupé
The Audi R8 was initially equipped with a 4.2 litre V8 engine. Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy 32-valve (four valves per cylinder) petrol engine, utilising Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI),[4] and has a displacement of 4,163 cubic centimetres(254.0 cu in). It develops a motive power output of 420 metric horsepower (309 kW; 414 bhp) (Directive 80/1269/EEC),and generates 430 newton metres (317 ft·lbf) of torque, on 98 RON 'Super Unleaded' petrol. It is basically the same engine used in the Audi B7 RS4, but is modified to use dry sump lubrication system. This V8 is a highly reworked, high-revving variant of the existing 4.2 litre V8, but includes cylinder-direct fuel injection (Fuel Stratified Injection), and four valves per cylinder, instead of five (as used on the previous non-FSI variants). It also uses two chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank, and utilises variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust camshafts.
The transmission options are either a Lamborghini sourced six-speed manual gearbox with metal gate for the shift lever, or an Audi-developed R tronic gearbox - which is a semi-automatic, without a traditional clutch pedal with automatic gears shifting mode. These options are the same as those available on the Lamborghini Gallardo. A double clutch direct-shift gearbox (DSG), now badged by Audi as S tronic, is not available (as of April 2010).
Spyder
On July 1, 2010 Autocar reported that Audi has added the 4.2 FSI V8 engine to the R8 Spyder range. The 434 PS (319 kW; 428 bhp) (up 14 bhp on coupé), 430newton metres (317 ft·lbf) unit now completes the R8 Spyder range alongside the launch V10 powerplant. It has a 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 4.8sec and will go on to reach a top speed of 185 mph (299 km/h). The engine is available with Audi's R tronic sequential manual gearbox. Like the V10 model, the V8 Spyder features an aluminium spaceframe with carbon composites and an automatic retractable folding cloth roof.
5.2 V10
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Coupé
AUDI AG unveiled the Audi R8 V10 on 9 December 2008. It uses a 5.2 litre FSI engine, based on the unit in theLamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (which in turn was based on the 5.2 FSI V10 as used in the Audi C6 S6 and Audi D3 S8), but is re-tuned to produce a power output of 525 metric horsepower (386 kW; 518 bhp), and generate 530 newton metres(391 ft·lbf) of torque. Compared to the V8 variant, the R8 V10's performance numbers are enhanced. Audi states the new 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0 to 62.1 mph) time as only 3.9 seconds, 60 to 124 miles per hour (97 to 200 km/h) in 8.1 seconds, and a top speed of 317 kilometres per hour (197.0 mph). Other changes to the V10 version of the R8 include some aesthetic differences: such as all-LED headlights (a world-first), interior enhancements such as Bang & Olufsen 465 watt sound system, and a more aggressive body styling, larger rear brakes and unique roadwheels. It was initially thought that this version of the R8 was going to have the same engine as the C6 Audi RS6, a 5.0 litre V10 TFSI twin-turboengine, which produces 580 metric horsepower (427 kW; 572 bhp). However, some components of the twin-turbo system overheated, and one prototype was destroyed by fire at the Nürburgring. This model was shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.
Spyder
2008 that spy shots of a convertible R8 'Spider' from filming scenes of the movie Iron Man 2 were published online, which included a "soft-top" roof is clearly visible, and the unique sideblade has been removed. The vehicle was unveiled in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Compared with the coupé model, the convertible will have extra chassis support, a pair of roll-over safety bars, as well as minor changes such as the location of the fuel tank filler. It will be powered by a 5.2 FSI V10 engine.Although it was rumoured by the automotive press since the announcement of the production R8 in 2006, it was only in August
GT
Released in May 2010 the £142,585 R8 GT is the fastest Audi to date. The curb weight has been reduced by 100 kg (220 lb) to 1,525 kg (3,362 lb). The power from the V10 FSI has also been increased to 560 PS (412 kW; 552 bhp) which gives the car 367 PS (270 kW; 362 bhp) per ton. Because of these changes the R8 GT has a top speed of 199 mph (320 km/h) and goes from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds, 0.3 faster than the R8 V10. The car also features some visual changes including red brake caliper covers, a fixed rear wing, front bumper mounted winglets and GT badges replacing the V10 ones. Only 333 Audi R8 GTs will be made and 33 will be sent to the UK, while 90 will be sent to the US.
Future Developments
R8 e-tron
The Audi e-tron concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show. Similar in appearance to the R8, but slightly smaller, it is powered by four independent electric motors, two mounted within the centre of the front axle and the other two within the rear axle, each produces 79 PS (58 kW; 78 bhp) and 1,125 newton metres (830 ft·lbf) of torque. It produces a total of 317 PS (233 kW; 313 bhp) and a sceptical 4,500 newton metres (3,319 ft·lbf) of torque. However the proposed torque rating is the torque measured at the wheels, not at the output shaft - as is the industry standard, the true torque rating being around 678 newton metres(500 ft·lbf).
The prototype version of the R8 e-tron sticks closely to the original concept with a shape reminiscent of existing V8 and V10 petrol powered versions. Audi claims the production version of the R8 e-tron will be capable of a 0–100 km/h (62 mph) time of around 4.8 seconds, making it only 0.2 seconds slower than the R8 V8. Initial plans call for its top speed to be limited to 124 mph (200 km/h) to protect the charge of the battery. It is planned for launch in early 2012.
Along with the R8 e-tron, Audi is also considering small scale production of a smaller and lighter zero emission sportscar based around the second e-tron concept displayed at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show.
R8 NF
Journalists at a tech demonstration at Audi's lightweight research and production plant in Neckarsulm, Germany were shown a teaser of an upcoming supercar, codenamed “NF” that will feature even greater usage of lightweight composites.
The vehicle identified as R8 NF was featured on a timeline showing the creation of carbon-fiber in vehicles such as the R8 and highlighted the carbon-fiber engine cover on the R8 Spyder, the roof of the R8 e-tron and a collection of pieces found on the R8 GT.
At the 2014 mark was the R8 NF, or more specifically, the passenger section. The image implied that the NF would feature a new carbon-fiber rear bulkhead between the seat backs and the engine compartment and showed the carbon-fiber piece extending into the lower B-pillar. Audi would not elaborate on the image, however, they said the prototype is up 20% (325 kg (720 lb) lighter than an aluminum-bodied R8.
Specifications
| Models | R8 V8 | R8 V10 | R8 GT | R8 e-tron | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | |||||||||
| Configuration | V8 32 valve 2×DOHC | V10 40 valve 2×DOHC | 4×Electric motors | ||||||
| Displacement | 4,163 cc (4.163 L; 254.0 cu in) | 5,204 cc (5.204 L; 317.6 cu in) | - | ||||||
| Power @ rpm | 430 PS (316 kW; 424 bhp) @ 7900 rpm | 525 PS (386 kW; 518 bhp) @ 8000 rpm | 560 PS (412 kW; 552 bhp) @ n/a rpm | 315 PS (232 kW; 311 bhp) @ n/a rpm | |||||
| Torque @ rpm | 430 N·m (320 lb·ft) @ 4500-6000 rpm | 530 N·m (390 lb·ft) @ 6500 rpm | 540 N·m (400 lb·ft) @ n/a rpm | 4,500 N·m (3,300 lb·ft) @ n/a rpm | |||||
| Performance | |||||||||
| 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) (sec) | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.8 | |||||
| 0 to 200 km/h (120 mph) (sec) | 14.9 | 11.8 | 10.8 | n/a | |||||
| 1⁄4 miles (0.40 km) (sec) | 12.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | n/a | |||||
| Top speed | 187 mph (301 km/h) | 197 mph (317 km/h) | 199 mph (320 km/h) | 124 mph (200 km/h) | |||||
| Dimensions & Weight | |||||||||
| Length, Width, Height | L: 4,431 mm (174.4 in), W: 1,904 mm (75.0 in), H: 1,252 mm (49.3 in) | L: 4,434 mm (174.6 in), W: 1,930 mm (76 in), H: 1,252 mm (49.3 in) | n/a | n/a | |||||
| Weight (R-tronic) | 1,565 kg (3,450 lb) | 1,625 kg (3,580 lb) | 1,525 kg (3,360 lb) | ~1,600 kg (3,500 lb) | |||||
topgear's review of this fantastic supercar
Here's the r8 v10. Also starring american muscle(read:corvette zr1)
The convertible 911 n R8
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