The AUDI R8 is an an amazing car and I think one of the beautiful cars in the world .
The Audi R8 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 aluminiummonocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' atNeckarsulm 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 2003 International 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-time 24 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 Championship racing series.
Models
1. 4.2 V8
Coupe
The Audi R462956 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), 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 4 wheel drive system is bias towards the rear, it only sends 30% of its power to the front wheels and the other 70% to the rear which means impressive handling.
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).
2. 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), 430 newton 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 .
3. 5.2 V10
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 the Lamborghini 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),[4] interior enhancements such as Bang & Olufsen 465 watt sound system,[4] and a more aggressive body styling,[20] larger rear brakes and unique roadwheels.[4] 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-turbo engine, which produces 580 metric horsepower (427 kW; 572 bhp). However, some components of the twin-turbosystem overheated, and one prototype was destroyed by fire at the Nürburgring.[21] This model was shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show.
4. Spyder
Although it was rumoured by the automotive press since the announcement of the production R8 in 2006, it was only in August 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.
5. 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 .
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) |
Reviews and awards
Many publications were hailing it as the first car to truly be able to beat the Porsche 997 — considered by many to be one of the best sports cars ever made, and a leader in its class. Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine listed it as a "supercar", compared the R8 to the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6 and after praising the R8's "amazing stability, traction and grip, unparalleled steering accuracy and bite, (and) its uncannily flat and disturbance-free ride", claimed that as a result of "the sublime effortlessness of it all", the Audi is a better sports car. The article concluded that "Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today". Other publications have also written similar reviews of the Audi beating the Porsche in comparison tests. In a half mile drag race conducted by Battle of the Supercars between the R8 and a 997 Carrera S, the Porsche won, crossing the line just a half metre before the R8. However, the R8 easily beat the Porsche around Top Gear's test track.
The television show Top Gear compared the Nissan GT-R to the R8 V8, and remarked that the R8 was "simultaneously less impressive and yet somehow more involving". On the R8 they wrote that "it rewards driver input", calling it "fantastic in a way that will appeal more to true car enthusiasts", but also remarked that it (the V8 model) was "much slower", and the GT-R was cheaper. On their test track, the car performed better than a Lamborghini Gallardo and an Aston Martin DB9. On Bedford Autodrome, tested by Evo Magazine, the R8 was faster than the Lamborghini Gallardo .
