Audi R8

Infobox Automobile


name = Audi R8
manufacturer = quattro GmbH,
(a subsidiary of Audi AG)
parent_company = Volkswagen Group
aka =
production = 2007–present
4,289 built [cite web|url=http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/company/financial_information/pdf_0803.Par.0017.File.pdf|title=Financial Information|publisher=Audi|accessdate=2007-12-31 (PDF)]
assembly = Neckarsulm, Germany
predecessor =
successor =
class = halo vehicle
body_style = 2-door coupé
layout = Mid-engine,
quattro permanent four-wheel drivecite web|url=http://www.caranddriver.com/comparisons/13065/2007-aston-martin-v-8-vantage-v-2008-audi-r8-v-2007-porsche-911-turbo.html|title=2007 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage v 2008 Audi R8 v 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo - Comparison Tests|publisher=Car and Driver]
platform =
engine = 4.2 L V8 FSI
transmission = 6-speed manual 6-speed single-clutch semi-automatic
wheelbase = convert|2649|mm|in|1|abbr=on
length = convert|4431|mm|in|1|abbr=on
width = convert|1904|mm|in|1|abbr=on
height = convert|1249|mm|in|1|abbr=on
weight = convert|1560|kg|lb|0|abbr=on
fuel_capacity = 23.8 Gallons
related = Lamborghini Gallardo
designer =The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007 priced at 113,150.00 USD (As of July 1st, 2008).

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, 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 and also the 1989 Mk 11 Rover 200, codenamed R8. 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).

The R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters racing series.

Technical details

The Audi R8 is equipped with a 4.2 L FSI V8 engine developing convert|420|PS|kW hp|0|lk=on|abbr=on and convert|430|Nm|ftlbf|lk=on|abbr=on, 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 semi-automatic sequential manual). These options are the same as those available on the Lamborghini Gallardo. A double clutch gearbox (Direct-Shift Gearbox - DSG, now badged by Audi as "S-tronic") is not currently (as of January 2008) available.

The R8 has a dry weight of auto kg|1560. Its suspension utilizes magneto rheological dampers. [cite web|url=http://www.lord.com/Home/MagnetoRheologicalMRFluid/Applications/PrimarySuspension/tabid/3329/Default.aspx|title= Primary Suspension|publisher=Lord] 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.fact|date=August 2008 The R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine, and pricing.

Safety features include ABS, front dual-stage airbags, ESC, and side-impact airbags. [Cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/audi/r8/2008/|title=2008 Audi R8 Review|accessdate=2008-08-12|publisher=JB car pages]

The Audi R8 also features an optional Bang & Olufsen sound system, [cite web|url=http://www.bang-olufsen.com/page.asp?bhjs=0&id=323|title=Sound System - R8|publisher=Bang & Olufsen] and "Audi Ceramic" Carbon-Ceramic composite brakes with monobloc alloy 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 15 cars a day. It has also been credited as the only car in the world to undergo a CT Scan.Fact|date=May 2008 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. [cite web|url=http://microsites.audi.co.uk/r8launch/?#|title=Audi UK R8 microsite] The 2-seat coupé is currently available in Europe as well as the USA and Japan. In addition, an open-top roadster, Porsche Carrera GT-like model is rumored to follow in 2009.Fact|date=February 2008

Reviews

Many publications were hailing it as the first car to truly be able to beat the Porsche 911 — considered by many to be one of the best sports cars ever made, and the leader in its class.Fact|date=May 2008 Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine listed it as a "supercar",cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/videos/planetevovideos/209977/audi_r8.html|title=Audi R8 - "We can’t think of another "supercar" that takes a demanding road with such surgical precision"|publisher=EVO Magazine] 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 supercar. The article concluded that "Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today". [cite web|url=http://www.evo.co.uk/carreviews/cargrouptests/209930/supercars.html|title=Audi R8 v rivals - "it will rupture the supercar status quo"|publisher=EVO Magazine]

Other publications have also written similar reviews of the Audi beating the Porsche in comparison tests. [cite web|url=http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/coupes/112_0702_audi_r8_porsche_911|title=Head to Head: 2008 Audi R8 vs 2006 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 - "should Porsche be worried by Audi's new supercar?"|publisher=Motor Trend]

Top Gear compared the Nissan GT-R to the R8, 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". [cite web|url=http://www.topgear.com/content/features/stories/2008/02/stories/07/4.html|title=Audi R8 vs Nissan GT-R feature|publisher=Top Gear] 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 and the Koenigsegg CCX.Fact|date=June 2008

Future development

R8 Diesel

The Audi R8 TDI Le Mans, [cite web|url=http://www.audi.co.uk/audi/uk/en2/experience/Studies/Audi_R8_TDI_Le_Mans.html|title=Audi R8 TDI Le Mans|publisher= Audi UK] a 6.0 L, auto PS|500|0, Auto Nm|1000|0 V12 TDI diesel engined concept, [cite web|url=http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/214614/audi_r8.html|title=Diesel power for Audi R8 supercar|publisher=Auto Express News] was presented at the 2008 North American International Auto Show on 13 January, [cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=124210|title=2008 Detroit Auto Show Preview: Audi R8 TDI Concept|publisher=Inside Line] and the Geneva Motor Show in March.

pecifications

The R8 TDI Le Mans produces auto PS|500 and auto Nm|1000 of torque. It uses Audi's quattro permanent four-wheel drive system, and is mid-engined. It has a six-speed manual gearbox. It goes from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds, and its top speed is auto mph|202.fact|date=August 2008

The R8 TDI Le Mans has modified suspension settings and brakes, to cope with the added power and weight (auto kg|300|1) as a result of replacing the standard V8 engine with the V12 TDI. The V12 TDI requires more cooling than the standard R8, hence the NACA duct in the roof to feed additional air in to the engine. The vents on the front and back of the car have also been increased by 20% in size. The headlights are all-LED. For its appearance at the Detroit Motor Show, Audi fitted 20-inch alloy wheels. The rear bulkhead has been moved forward in order to accommodate the V12, meaning it loses the space behind the rear seats usually found on the standard R8.

V10 engine

A V10 engined version is also planned for 2009, but was put on hold in December 2007.Fact|date=April 2008 This version of the R8 was initially going to have the same engine as the RS6, a 5.2 litre V10 engine. It was thought initially that this version of the engine, which produces auto PS|580, was going to be fitted. However, the twin-turbo system overheated, and one prototype was destroyed at the Nürburgring. [cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/27/mysteriously-burnt-audi-revealed-to-be-v10-rs8/|title=Mysteriously burnt Audi revealed to be V10 RS8|publisher=Autoblog] 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, a different approach using the V10 of the Gallardo is currently 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. [cite web|url=http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsArticle/Audi-R8/231987/|title=Audi RS8 will get turbo V10|publisher=Autocar]

Convertible model

Although it was rumored 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 were published online. [http://www.motorauthority.com/news/convertibles/preview-2009-audi-r8-spider/] Although there is still some camouflage on the car itself, a "soft-top" roof is clearly visible and the unique sideblade has been removed. Compared with the coupe 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 is expected as both a V8 and V10 powered model.

GT3

Audi announced the production of GT3 model, designed for the FIA GT3 European Championship and various national racing series. Bearing the project name 'R16' within Audi Sport, it is a race version of the R8 road car. The engine is rated convert|500|hp|kW PS|abbr=on. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of 4-wheel drive the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed 6-speed sequential sports gearbox.

Sales of GT3 model would begin in autumn 2009. [cite web|url=http://www.autoblog.com/2008/08/27/audi-developes-r8-gt3-racer/ |title=Audi develops R8 GT3 racer]

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.
* Fifth Gear named the R8 both the Best fast car and the Car of the Year 2007.
* 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 F430 into 2nd with 13%, and the BMW M3 into 3rd with 11%. [cite web|url=http://cars.uk.msn.com/News/car_news_article.aspx?cp-documentid=7541242|title=Audi R8 is crowned Car of the Year 2008|publisher=MSN UK]
* The JB car pages awarded the Audi R8 its maximum rating of 5 stars. [cite web|url=http://www.jbcarpages.com/audi/r8/|title=Audi R8 Reviews & Specs|publisher=JB car pages]
* In the 2008 World Car of the Year awards, the R8 was awarded World Performance Car of the Year and World Design Car of the Year.
* European Car Magazine rated the R8 as Car of the Year

Pop culture references

Film

As part of a multi-million dollar marketing campaign, and continuing Audi's tradition of product-placement in Hollywood that began with films like "Ronin" and continued with films like "I, Robot," and "The Transporter 2," the hit film "Iron Man" featured several Audi models, the most prominent of which was the R8, which was the personal car of the lead character Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). An audi might also be featured as a transformer in "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" very soon.

Video games

The Audi R8 is featured in the game, . The earlier iteration of the R8, the Le Mans Quattro Concept, featured both in "Gran Turismo 4" and "." You can also drive the production R8 in the Playstation 3 game Gran Turismo 5 Prologue, as well as in Forza Motorsport 2. The car is also featured in the Xbox 360 game Project Gotham Racing 4.

A facsimile of the R8, called the "URe3", is available to players in Drift City.

References

External links

* [http://www.audi.com/R8 Audi corporate website official R8 page]
* [http://www.automobilemag.com/features/awards/0802_2008_audi_r8_automobile_of_the_year/index.html 2008 Automobile of the Year: Audi R8]