Audi R8 Road Car
Encyclopedia
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 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 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.
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 on tap. In the R8 application it is expected to produce about 600 hp. Combined with an approximate 200 lb (90.7 kg) weight loss, the new R8 is expected to compete well with the new Porsche 997 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.
, seventy workers fit 5,000 unique parts by hand. The factory at Neckarsulm
, redeveloped at a cost of €
28 million, usually produces between eight and fifteen cars a day, up to a maximum daily output of 29 cars. Ninety-five laser
s inspect the entire car in five seconds to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 millimetres of the programmed plans.
The two-seat coupé
is currently available in Bahrain
, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Africa. The R8 Spyder23, an open-top roadster
model, followed in 2009. In Latin America, the R8 became available at the end of 2008 at dealers in Mexico City, Bogota, Medellin, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago and Santo Domingo. Customers bought every unit available for 2008 within a week after the R8 premiered at the Bogota International Auto Show and Auto Expo of Medellin.
In Asia, the R8 is available in Bahrain, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong
and Vietnam, and has been available in China, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia since 2008.
. 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 4163 cc. It develops a motive
power
output of 420 PS (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 camshaft
s. 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 .
The 434 PS (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.
, 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 PS, 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 km/h (0 to 62.1 ) time as only 3.9 seconds, 60 to 124 mph (26.8 to 55.4 ) in 8.1 seconds, and a top speed of 317 kilometres per hour (197 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-turbo
engine, which produces 580 PS. 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
.
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.
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 and 1125 newton metres (830 ft·lbf) of torque. It produces a total of 317 PS and a sceptical 4500 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 mi/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.
, 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 (716.5 lb) lighter than an aluminum-bodied R8.
owns both Audi and Lamborghini
(Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), some of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo
, including some of the chassis
and floorpan
, door handle mechanisms, transmissions, and the revised V10 engine. The R8 is made distinct by its Germanic exterior styling, cabin, smaller V8 engine, magnetic dampers, and pricing.
The R8 (with the V8 engine
) has a curb weight of 1560 kilograms (3,439 lb). Its suspension
uses BWI Group's magneto rheological damper
s.
Safety features include Bosch
ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme
which includes Anti-lock Braking System
(ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
(EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), front dual-stage airbag
s, and 'sideguard' curtain airbags. The R8 also features a distinctive curved bar of LED daytime running lamp
s (DRLs) mounted insided the xenon HID headlamp casings.
The R8, like most mid
- or rear-engine design
ed sports cars, utilises wider roadwheels
and tyres
on its rear axle
. For the 18 inch alloy wheel
s (on standard summer tyres), there is just one range of sizes—the fronts are sized at 8.5J×18H2 ET42, whilst the rears are two inches wider at 10.5Jx18H2 ET50. With the 19 inch wheels (standard fit in most markets), the theme continues—the fronts are all 8.5J×19H2 ET42, and the rears are 11.0Jx19H2 ET50. 19" wheels for the winter tyre package have a ½" narrower rear compared to the summer tyre wheel package. There is also a corresponding difference in tyre sizes—18's are (eXtra Load) up front and at the rear. For the 19" tyres, two different options are available—all fronts are , and the rears are either or . Standard factory supplied tyre makes offered are either Continental
SportContact3, or Pirelli
P-Zero Rosso.
and various national racing series. Known within Audi Sport as the 'R16', the R8 LMS features a 500 PS V10 engine
. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive
, Audi had to drop its 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive system, and the R8 LMS is only available with the typical rear-wheel drive setup. The torque
is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox.
Despite the development of the car, Audi itself had stated not to enter any races with the new GT3 car as an official 'factory' team.
The car was unveiled at Essen Motor Show. The first Audi R8 LMS (chassis number 101) was delivered to Audi Sport Italia in 2009.
In the 2009 24 Hours Nürburgring, and preceding VLN endurance races, Audi privateer teams had entered four cars, operated by the Abt Sportsline
and Nürburging-based Phoenix race teams. Until the 19th hour, two of these R8 remained challengers for the lead, against two Manthey-operated Porsche GT3 in the same lap, before the leading #99 car suffered suspension problems. The #97 finished 2nd, and despite electrical and gearbox problems, the other two cars finished 23rd or better.
Australian Mark Eddy participated in the 2010 Australian GT Championship
with the first R8 LMS in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring, the first four spots on the grid were occupied by Audi R8.
Audi's Le Mans 24 Hour team, Joest Racing
ran a pair of R8 LMS GT3's in the 2011 Bathurst 12 Hour
held at the Mount Panorama Circuit
, Bathurst
, New South Wales
, Australia
on 6 February 2011. The #7 R8 driven by an all-Australian crew of Mark Eddy, multiple Bathurst 1000
winner Craig Lowndes
and Warren Luff
qualified on pole alongside team mates Marc Basseng, Christopher Mies and Darryl O'Young
in the #8 car. Bessing, Miles and O'Young won the race from Eddy, Lowndes & Luff by just 0.71 seconds with Lowndes setting the races fastest lap and a new class lap record of 2:09.0861 for the 6.213km long circuit on lap 267 of the 292 ran in the 12 hour time frame. FIA GT3 and Australian GT Championship cars were included in the 12 Hour for the first time in 2011. The race had previously been the domain of Group 3E Series Production Cars
.
For 2012, Audi plans to enter the R8 in the Rolex Sports Car Series
GT class.
They finished first overall using the R8 e-Tron demonstrator. The winning car is based on the body of a standard R8 V10 coupe and powered by the four-motor electric drive system used in the Frankfurt e-Tron concept.
— considered by many to be one of the best sports car
s 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
.
Mid-engine design
A mid-engine layout describes the placement of an automobile engine between the rear and front axles. Another term for this is mid-ship.-Benefits:The mid-engine layout is typically chosen for its relatively favorable weight distribution...
, 2-seater sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
, 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
Automotive design
Automotive design is the profession involved in the development of the appearance, and to some extent the ergonomics, of motor vehicles or more specifically road vehicles. This most commonly refers to automobiles but also refers to motorcycles, trucks, buses, coaches, and vans...
, developed
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
, and manufactured
Automotive engineering
Modern automotive engineering, along with aerospace engineering and marine engineering, is a branch of vehicle engineering, incorporating elements of mechanical, electrical, electronic, software and safety engineering as applied to the design, manufacture and operation of motorcycles, automobiles,...
by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH
Quattro GmbH
quattro GmbH is a wholly owned private subsidiary of the German automobile manufacturer AUDI AG, part of the Volkswagen Group.Founded in October 1983, it primarily specialises in producing high performance Audi cars and components, along with purchaser specified customisations...
, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium
Aluminium
Aluminium or aluminum is a silvery white member of the boron group of chemical elements. It has the symbol Al, and its atomic number is 13. It is not soluble in water under normal circumstances....
monocoque
Monocoque
Monocoque is a construction technique that supports structural load by using an object's external skin, as opposed to using an internal frame or truss that is then covered with a non-load-bearing skin or coachwork...
which is built around space frame
Space frame
A space frame or space structure is a truss-like, lightweight rigid structure constructed from interlocking struts in a geometric pattern. Space frames can be used to span large areas with few interior supports...
principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, and part of the district Heilbronn. As of 2004, Neckarsulm had 27,296 inhabitants....
in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
.
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
Audi Le Mans quattro
The Audi Le Mans quattro was a sports car styled concept car, developed by Audi, for presentation at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, as a result of Audi's three successive wins at the arduous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance motor race in 2000, 2001, and 2002...
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
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
winning R8 Le Mans Prototype
Le Mans Prototype
A Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
(LMP). 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the world's oldest sports car race in endurance racing, held annually since near the town of Le Mans, France. Commonly known as the Grand Prix of Endurance and Efficiency, race teams have to balance speed against the cars' ability to run for 24 hours without sustaining...
winner Jacky Ickx
Jacky Ickx
Jacques Bernard "Jacky" Ickx is a Belgian former racing driver who achieved 25 podium finishes in Formula One and six wins in the 24 hours of Le Mans.- Racing career :...
described the R8 as "the best handling road car today".
The Audi R8 is used as a safety car
Safety car
In motorsport, a safety car or pace car is a car which limits the speed of competing cars on a racetrack in the case of a caution period such as an obstruction on the track. During a caution period the safety car enters the track ahead of the leader...
in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
The Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters is a touring car racing series based in Germany, but also with rounds elsewhere in Europe....
and British Superbike Championship racing 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 on tap. In the R8 application it is expected to produce about 600 hp. Combined with an approximate 200 lb (90.7 kg) weight loss, the new R8 is expected to compete well with the new Porsche 997 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.
Production and available markets
To produce the R8 at quattro GmbHQuattro GmbH
quattro GmbH is a wholly owned private subsidiary of the German automobile manufacturer AUDI AG, part of the Volkswagen Group.Founded in October 1983, it primarily specialises in producing high performance Audi cars and components, along with purchaser specified customisations...
, seventy workers fit 5,000 unique parts by hand. The factory at Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm
Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, and part of the district Heilbronn. As of 2004, Neckarsulm had 27,296 inhabitants....
, redeveloped at a cost of €
Euro sign
The euro sign is the currency sign used for the euro, the official currency of the Eurozone in the European Union . The design was presented to the public by the European Commission on 12 December 1996. The international three-letter code for the euro is EUR...
28 million, usually produces between eight and fifteen cars a day, up to a maximum daily output of 29 cars. Ninety-five laser
Laser
A laser is a device that emits light through a process of optical amplification based on the stimulated emission of photons. The term "laser" originated as an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation...
s inspect the entire car in five seconds to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 millimetres of the programmed plans.
The two-seat coupé
Coupé
A coupé or coupe is a closed car body style , the precise definition of which varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and over time...
is currently available in Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
, Europe, the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Africa. The R8 Spyder23, an open-top roadster
Roadster
A roadster is a two-seat open car with emphasis on sporty handling and without a fixed roof or side weather protection. Strictly speaking a roadster with wind-up windows is a convertible but as true roadsters are no longer made the distinction is now irrelevant...
model, followed in 2009. In Latin America, the R8 became available at the end of 2008 at dealers in Mexico City, Bogota, Medellin, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lima, Santiago and Santo Domingo. Customers bought every unit available for 2008 within a week after the R8 premiered at the Bogota International Auto Show and Auto Expo of Medellin.
| Production | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | Total |
| Units | 6 | 164 | 4,125 | 5,656 | 2,101 | 3,485 | 15,537 |
In Asia, the R8 is available in Bahrain, India, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, Philippines, Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
and Vietnam, and has been available in China, Turkey, United Arab Emirates
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia since 2008.
Coupé
The Audi R462956 was initially equipped with a 4.2 litre V8 engineInternal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
. Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloy
Aluminium alloys are alloys in which aluminium is the predominant metal. The typical alloying elements are copper, magnesium, manganese, silicon and zinc. There are two principal classifications, namely casting alloys and wrought alloys, both of which are further subdivided into the categories...
32-valve
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
(four valves per cylinder) petrol engine
Petrol engine
A petrol engine is an internal combustion engine with spark-ignition, designed to run on petrol and similar volatile fuels....
, utilising Fuel Stratified Injection
Gasoline direct injection
In internal combustion engines, gasoline direct injection , also known as petrol direct injection or direct petrol injection, is a variant of fuel injection employed in modern two-stroke and four-stroke gasoline engines...
(FSI), and has a displacement
Engine displacement
Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches...
of 4163 cc. It develops a motive
Motive power
In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a...
power
Power (physics)
In physics, power is the rate at which energy is transferred, used, or transformed. For example, the rate at which a light bulb transforms electrical energy into heat and light is measured in watts—the more wattage, the more power, or equivalently the more electrical energy is used per unit...
output of 420 PS (Directive 80/1269/EEC
Directive 80/1269/EEC
Council Directive 80/1269/EEC of 16 December 1980 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States relating to the engine power of motor vehicles is a European Union law concerning measurement of engine power in motor vehicles intended for road use with at least four wheels and a maximum speed...
), and generates 430 newton metres (317 ft·lbf) of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
, 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
Dry sump
A dry sump is a lubricating motor oil management method for four-stroke and large two-stroke piston internal combustion engines that uses external pumps and a secondary external reservoir for oil, as compared to a conventional wet sump system....
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 injection
Fuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s....
(Fuel Stratified Injection), and four valves per cylinder
Multi-valve
In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design...
, instead of five (as used on the previous non-FSI variants). It also uses two chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank
Cylinder bank
Internal combustion piston engines are usually arranged so that the cylinders are in lines parallel to the crankshaft. Where they are in a single line, this is referred to as an inline or straight engine....
, and utilises variable valve timing
Variable valve timing
In internal combustion engines, variable valve timing , also known as Variable valve actuation , is a generalized term used to describe any mechanism or method that can alter the shape or timing of a valve lift event within an internal combustion engine...
for both inlet and exhaust camshaft
Camshaft
A camshaft is a shaft to which a cam is fastened or of which a cam forms an integral part.-History:An early cam was built into Hellenistic water-driven automata from the 3rd century BC. The camshaft was later described in Iraq by Al-Jazari in 1206. He employed it as part of his automata,...
s. 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
Transmission (mechanics)
A machine consists of a power source and a power transmission system, which provides controlled application of the power. Merriam-Webster defines transmission as: an assembly of parts including the speed-changing gears and the propeller shaft by which the power is transmitted from an engine to a...
options are either a Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
sourced six-speed manual gearbox
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
with metal gate for the shift lever, or an Audi-developed R tronic gearbox—which is a semi-automatic
Semi-automatic transmission
A semi-automatic transmission is an automobile transmission that does not change gears automatically, but rather facilitates manual gear changes by dispensing with the need to press...
, without a traditional clutch pedal with automatic gears shifting mode. These options are the same as those available on the Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
. A double clutch direct-shift gearbox
Direct-Shift Gearbox
The Direct-Shift Gearbox , commonly abbreviated to DSG, is an electronically controlled dual clutch multiple-shaft manual gearbox, in a transaxle design - without a conventional clutch pedal, and with full automatic, or semi-manual control...
(DSG), now badged by Audi as S tronic, is not available .
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 (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.
5.2 V10
Coupé
Audi AG unveiled the Audi R8 V10 on 9 December 2008. It uses a 5.2 litre FSI engineInternal combustion engine
The internal combustion engine is an engine in which the combustion of a fuel occurs with an oxidizer in a combustion chamber. In an internal combustion engine, the expansion of the high-temperature and high -pressure gases produced by combustion apply direct force to some component of the engine...
, based on the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
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 PS, and generate 530 newton metres (391 ft·lbf) of torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
. Compared to the V8 variant, the R8 V10's performance numbers are enhanced. Audi states the new 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.1 ) time as only 3.9 seconds, 60 to 124 mph (26.8 to 55.4 ) in 8.1 seconds, and a top speed of 317 kilometres per hour (197 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
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
.
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
Twin-turbo
Twin-turbo refers to a turbocharged engine, in which two turbochargers compress the intake charge. There are two commonly used twin turbo configurations: parallel twin-turbo and sequential twin-turbo...
engine, which produces 580 PS. However, some components of the twin-turbo
Twin-turbo
Twin-turbo refers to a turbocharged engine, in which two turbochargers compress the intake charge. There are two commonly used twin turbo configurations: parallel twin-turbo and sequential twin-turbo...
system overheated, and one prototype was destroyed by fire at the Nürburgring
Nürburgring
The Nürburgring is a motorsport complex around the village of Nürburg, Germany. It features a modern Grand Prix race track built in 1984, and a much longer old North loop track which was built in the 1920s around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg in the Eifel mountains. It is located about...
. This model was shown at the 2009 North American International Auto Show
North American International Auto Show
The North American International Auto Show is an annual auto show held in Detroit, Michigan at Cobo Center, usually in January. It is among the largest auto shows in North America.-History:...
.
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 2Iron Man 2
Iron Man 2 is a 2010 American superhero film featuring the Marvel Comics character Iron Man, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Paramount Pictures. It is the sequel to 2008's Iron Man, the second film in a planned trilogy and is a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Directed by Jon...
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.
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 1525 kg (3,362 lb). The power from the V10 FSI has also been increased to 560 PS which gives the car 367 PS per ton. Because of these changes the R8 GT has a top speed of 199 mph (320.3 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.R8 e-tron
The Audi e-tron concept carConcept car
A concept vehicle or show vehicle is a car made to showcase new styling and or new technology. They are often shown at motor shows to gauge customer reaction to new and radical designs which may or may not have a chance of being produced....
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 and 1125 newton metres (830 ft·lbf) of torque. It produces a total of 317 PS and a sceptical 4500 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 mi/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 NeckarsulmNeckarsulm
Neckarsulm is a city in northern Baden-Württemberg, Germany, near Stuttgart, and part of the district Heilbronn. As of 2004, Neckarsulm had 27,296 inhabitants....
, Germany were shown a teaser of an upcoming supercar, codenamed “NF” that will feature even greater usage of lightweight composites
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer
Carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer or carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic , is a very strong and light fiber-reinforced polymer which contains carbon fibers. The polymer is most often epoxy, but other polymers, such as polyester, vinyl ester or nylon, are sometimes used...
.
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
Bulkhead
Bulkhead may refer to:* Bulkhead, a compartment of a building for preventing spread of fires, see Compartmentalization * Bulkhead , a retaining wall used as a form of coastal management, akin to a seawall, or as a structural device such as a bulkhead partition* Bulkhead , a wall within the hull of...
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 (716.5 lb) lighter than an aluminum-bodied R8.
Specifications
| Models | R8 V8 | R8 V10 | R8 GT | R8 e-tron | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | |||||||||
| Configuration Engine configuration Engine configuration is an engineering term for the layout of the major components of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine. These components are the cylinders and crankshafts in particular but also, sometimes, the camshaft.... |
V8 32 valve Multi-valve In automotive engineering a multi-valve or multivalve engine is one where each cylinder has more than two valves. A multi-valve engine has better breathing and can operate at higher revolutions per minute than a two-valve engine, delivering more power.- Multi-valve rationale :A multi-valve design... 2×DOHC |
V10 V10 engine A V10 engine is a V engine with 10 cylinders in two banks of five with a distinct exhaust note.- Mechanics :The V10 is essentially the result of mating two even-firing straight-5 engines together. The straight-5 engine shows first and second order rocking motion... 40 valve 2×DOHC |
4×Electric motor Electric motor An electric motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.Most electric motors operate through the interaction of magnetic fields and current-carrying conductors to generate force... s |
||||||
| Displacement Engine displacement Engine displacement is the volume swept by all the pistons inside the cylinders of an internal combustion engine in a single movement from top dead centre to bottom dead centre . It is commonly specified in cubic centimeters , litres , or cubic inches... |
4163 cc | 5204 cc | - | ||||||
| Power Motive power In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or steam, used to impart motion. Generally, motive power is defined as a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover. The term may also define something, as a locomotive or a... @ rpm Revolutions per minute Revolutions per minute is a measure of the frequency of a rotation. It annotates the number of full rotations completed in one minute around a fixed axis... |
430 PS @ 7900 rpm | 525 PS @ 8000 rpm | 560 PS @ n/a rpm | 315 PS @ n/a rpm | |||||
| Torque Torque Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist.... @ rpm |
430 newton metre @ 4500-6000 rpm | 530 newton metre @ 6500 rpm | 540 newton metre @ n/a rpm | 4500 newton metre @ n/a rpm | |||||
| Performance | |||||||||
| 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) (sec) | 4.6 | 3.9 | 3.6 | 4.8 | |||||
| 0 to 200 km/h (124.3 mph) (sec) | 14.9 | 11.8 | 10.8 | n/a | |||||
| 1/4 mi (sec) | 12.5 | 11.5 | 11.5 | n/a | |||||
| Top speed | 187 mph (300.9 km/h) | 197 mph (317 km/h) | 199 mph (320.3 km/h) | 124 mph (199.6 km/h) | |||||
| Dimensions & Weight Curb weight Curb weight or kerb weight is the total weight of a vehicle with standard equipment, all necessary operating consumables , a full tank of fuel, while not loaded with either passengers or cargo.This definition may differ from definitions used by governmental regulatory agencies or other... |
|||||||||
| Length, Width, Height |
L: 4431 mm (174.4 in), W: 1904 mm (75 in), H: 1252 mm (49.3 in) | L: 4434 mm (174.6 in), W: 1930 mm (76 in), H: 1252 mm (49.3 in) | n/a | n/a | |||||
| Weight (R-tronic) | 1565 kg (3,450.2 lb) | 1625 kg (3,582.5 lb) | 1525 kg (3,362 lb) | ~1600 kg (3,527.4 lb) | |||||
Other technical details
As Volkswagen GroupVolkswagen Group
Volkswagen Group is a German multinational automobile manufacturing group. , Volkswagen was ranked as the world’s third largest motor vehicle manufacturer and Europe's largest....
owns both Audi and Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A., commonly referred to as Lamborghini , is an Italian car manufacturer. The company was founded by manufacturing magnate Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, with the objective of producing a refined grand touring car to compete with established offerings from marques like...
(Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), some of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
, including some of the chassis
Chassis
A chassis consists of an internal framework that supports a man-made object. It is analogous to an animal's skeleton. An example of a chassis is the underpart of a motor vehicle, consisting of the frame with the wheels and machinery.- Vehicles :In the case of vehicles, the term chassis means the...
and floorpan
Floorpan
The floorpan is a large sheet metal stamping that often incorporates several smaller welded stampings to form the floor of a large vehicle and the position of its external and structural panels....
, door handle mechanisms, transmissions, and the revised V10 engine. The R8 is made distinct by its Germanic exterior styling, cabin, smaller V8 engine, magnetic dampers, and pricing.
The R8 (with the V8 engine
V8 engine
A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of four cylinders, in most cases set at a right angle to each other but sometimes at a narrower angle, with all eight pistons driving a common crankshaft....
) has a curb weight of 1560 kilograms (3,439 lb). Its suspension
Suspension (vehicle)
Suspension is the term given to the system of springs, shock absorbers and linkages that connects a vehicle to its wheels. Suspension systems serve a dual purpose — contributing to the car's roadholding/handling and braking for good active safety and driving pleasure, and keeping vehicle occupants...
uses BWI Group's magneto rheological damper
Magneto rheological damper
A magnetorheological damper or magnetorheological shock absorber is a damper filled with magnetorheological fluid, which is controlled by a magnetic field, usually using an electromagnet. This allows the damping characteristics of the shock absorber to be continuously controlled by varying the...
s.
Safety features include Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme
Electronic stability control
Electronic stability control is a computerized technology that may potentially improve the safety of a vehicle's stability by detecting and minimizing skids. When ESC detects loss of steering control, it automatically applies the brakes to help "steer" the vehicle where the driver intends to go...
which includes Anti-lock Braking System
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
(ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution
Electronic brakeforce distribution ', Electronic brakeforce limitation ' is an automobile brake technology that automatically varies the amount of force applied to each of a vehicle's brakes, based on road conditions, speed, loading, etc...
(EBD), Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), front dual-stage airbag
Airbag
An Airbag is a vehicle safety device. It is an occupant restraint consisting of a flexible envelope designed to inflate rapidly during an automobile collision, to prevent occupants from striking interior objects such as the steering wheel or a window...
s, and 'sideguard' curtain airbags. The R8 also features a distinctive curved bar of LED daytime running lamp
Daytime running lamp
A daytime running lamp is an automotive lighting device on the front of a roadgoing motor vehicle, installed in pairs, automatically switched on when the vehicle is moving forward, emitting white, yellow, or amber light to increase the conspicuity of the vehicle during daylight...
s (DRLs) mounted insided the xenon HID headlamp casings.
The R8, like most mid
Mid-engine design
A mid-engine layout describes the placement of an automobile engine between the rear and front axles. Another term for this is mid-ship.-Benefits:The mid-engine layout is typically chosen for its relatively favorable weight distribution...
- or rear-engine design
Rear-engine design
In automobile design, a rear-engine design layout places the engine at the rear of the vehicle. The center of gravity of the engine itself is past the rear axle...
ed sports cars, utilises wider roadwheels
Wheel
A wheel is a device that allows heavy objects to be moved easily through rotating on an axle through its center, facilitating movement or transportation while supporting a load, or performing labor in machines. Common examples found in transport applications. A wheel, together with an axle,...
and tyres
Tire
A tire or tyre is a ring-shaped covering that fits around a wheel rim to protect it and enable better vehicle performance by providing a flexible cushion that absorbs shock while keeping the wheel in close contact with the ground...
on its rear axle
Axle
An axle is a central shaft for a rotating wheel or gear. On wheeled vehicles, the axle may be fixed to the wheels, rotating with them, or fixed to its surroundings, with the wheels rotating around the axle. In the former case, bearings or bushings are provided at the mounting points where the axle...
. For the 18 inch alloy wheel
Alloy wheel
Alloy wheels are automobile wheels which are made from an alloy of aluminium or magnesium. They are typically lighter for the same strength...
s (on standard summer tyres), there is just one range of sizes—the fronts are sized at 8.5J×18H2 ET42, whilst the rears are two inches wider at 10.5Jx18H2 ET50. With the 19 inch wheels (standard fit in most markets), the theme continues—the fronts are all 8.5J×19H2 ET42, and the rears are 11.0Jx19H2 ET50. 19" wheels for the winter tyre package have a ½" narrower rear compared to the summer tyre wheel package. There is also a corresponding difference in tyre sizes—18's are (eXtra Load) up front and at the rear. For the 19" tyres, two different options are available—all fronts are , and the rears are either or . Standard factory supplied tyre makes offered are either Continental
Continental AG
Continental AG, internally often called Conti for short, is a worldwide leading German manufacturer of tires, brake systems, vehicle stability control systems, engine injection systems, tachographs and other parts for the automotive and transport industries. The company is based in Hanover, Germany...
SportContact3, or Pirelli
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
P-Zero Rosso.
R8 LMS
For 2009, Audi announced the production of an R8 LMS racing car, designed for the GT3 rules in the FIA GT3 European ChampionshipFIA GT3 European Championship
The FIA GT3 European Championship is a sports car racing series organized by the Stéphane Ratel Organisation and regulated by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile . It is a championship derived from the international FIA GT1 World Championship, but meant to provide competition for more...
and various national racing series. Known within Audi Sport as the 'R16', the R8 LMS features a 500 PS V10 engine
V10 engine
A V10 engine is a V engine with 10 cylinders in two banks of five with a distinct exhaust note.- Mechanics :The V10 is essentially the result of mating two even-firing straight-5 engines together. The straight-5 engine shows first and second order rocking motion...
. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4×4 is a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive torque from the engine simultaneously...
, Audi had to drop its 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive system, and the R8 LMS is only available with the typical rear-wheel drive setup. The torque
Torque
Torque, moment or moment of force , is the tendency of a force to rotate an object about an axis, fulcrum, or pivot. Just as a force is a push or a pull, a torque can be thought of as a twist....
is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox.
Despite the development of the car, Audi itself had stated not to enter any races with the new GT3 car as an official 'factory' team.
The car was unveiled at Essen Motor Show. The first Audi R8 LMS (chassis number 101) was delivered to Audi Sport Italia in 2009.
In the 2009 24 Hours Nürburgring, and preceding VLN endurance races, Audi privateer teams had entered four cars, operated by the Abt Sportsline
Abt Sportsline
Abt Sportsline is a motor racing and auto tuning company based in Kempten im Allgäu, Germany. Abt mainly deals with Audi, and the related primary Volkswagen Group brands - Volkswagen, Škoda, and SEAT.-History:...
and Nürburging-based Phoenix race teams. Until the 19th hour, two of these R8 remained challengers for the lead, against two Manthey-operated Porsche GT3 in the same lap, before the leading #99 car suffered suspension problems. The #97 finished 2nd, and despite electrical and gearbox problems, the other two cars finished 23rd or better.
Australian Mark Eddy participated in the 2010 Australian GT Championship
2010 Australian GT Championship season
The 2010 Australian GT Championship was a CAMS sanctioned national motor racing championship open to closed production based sports cars which were either approved by the FIA for GT3 competition or approved by CAMS as Australian GTs...
with the first R8 LMS in the Southern Hemisphere.
In the 2010 24 Hours Nürburgring, the first four spots on the grid were occupied by Audi R8.
Audi's Le Mans 24 Hour team, Joest Racing
Joest Racing
Joest Racing is a racing team that was established in 1978 by former Porsche works racer Reinhold Joest...
ran a pair of R8 LMS GT3's in the 2011 Bathurst 12 Hour
2011 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour
The 2011 Armor All Bathurst 12 Hour was an endurance race for FIA GT3 cars, Australian GT Championship cars, Group 3E Series Production Cars and other invited vehicles...
held at the Mount Panorama Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit
Mount Panorama Circuit is a motor racing track located in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. It is the home of the Bathurst 12 Hour motor race, held each February, and the Bathurst 1000 motor race, held each October...
, Bathurst
Bathurst, New South Wales
-CBD and suburbs:Bathurst's CBD is located on William, George, Howick, Russell, and Durham Streets. The CBD is approximately 25 hectares and surrounds two city blocks. Within this block layout is banking, government services, shopping centres, retail shops, a park* and monuments...
, New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
on 6 February 2011. The #7 R8 driven by an all-Australian crew of Mark Eddy, multiple Bathurst 1000
Bathurst 1000
The Bathurst 1000 is a touring car race held annually at Mount Panorama Circuit in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia...
winner Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes
Craig Lowndes is a multi-championship winning Australian racing driver. He is a three-time V8 Supercar champion and five-time winner of Australia's most famous motor race, the Bathurst 1000...
and Warren Luff
Warren Luff
Warren Luff born 21 April 1976 in Sydney Australia, is best known as a race driver, stunt driver and driver training instructor. He is the son of well known driver training instructor Ian Luff...
qualified on pole alongside team mates Marc Basseng, Christopher Mies and Darryl O'Young
Darryl O'Young
Darryl O'Young Yeuk-Hay is a Canadian-born Chinese racing driver. He currently resides in Hong Kong.-Early career:O'Young began racing in 1988 at the age of eight. Trained by his father he honed his driving skills in karting winning numerous championships...
in the #8 car. Bessing, Miles and O'Young won the race from Eddy, Lowndes & Luff by just 0.71 seconds with Lowndes setting the races fastest lap and a new class lap record of 2:09.0861 for the 6.213km long circuit on lap 267 of the 292 ran in the 12 hour time frame. FIA GT3 and Australian GT Championship cars were included in the 12 Hour for the first time in 2011. The race had previously been the domain of Group 3E Series Production Cars
Group 3E Series Production Cars
Group 3E Series Production Cars is an Australian motor racing formula for production based cars competing with limited modifications. Group 3E cars currently contest the Australian Manufacturers' Championship and Australian Production Car Championship titles and the annual Bathurst 12 Hour...
.
For 2012, Audi plans to enter the R8 in the Rolex Sports Car Series
Rolex Sports Car Series
The Rolex Sports Car Series is the premier series run by the Grand American Road Racing Association. It is a North American-based sports car series that was founded in 2000 under the name Grand American Road Racing Championship to replace the failed United States Road Racing Championship...
GT class.
R8 e-Tron
In July 2010 Audi took its EV concept to the Silvretta E-Auto Rally in Austria. The competition is designed to pit the latest and greatest of the electric vehicle world against each other over 10 special stages that cover a total of 104 miles. The company picked Michael Dick, a member of its board for technical development, and Lukas Luhr, a factory race driver, to helm the machine throughout the event.They finished first overall using the R8 e-Tron demonstrator. The winning car is based on the body of a standard R8 V10 coupe and powered by the four-motor electric drive system used in the Frankfurt e-Tron concept.
Reviews and awards
Many publications were hailing it as the first car to truly be able to beat the Porsche 997Porsche 997
The Porsche Type 997 , also simply called the 997 is the current version of the 911 family sports car built by German manufacturer Porsche in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen...
— considered by many to be one of the best sports car
Sports car
A sports car is a small, usually two seat, two door automobile designed for high speed driving and maneuverability....
s ever made, and a leader in its class. Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine
Evo Magazine
Evo is a British automobile magazine dedicated to performance cars, from hot hatches to supercars. The first issue was produced in November 1998 as an unofficial successor to Performance Car, which had been closed and integrated into Car Magazine by publisher Emap. "Evo" is published 13 times a...
listed it as a "supercar
Supercar
Supercar is a term used most often to describe an expensive high end car. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car"...
", compared the R8 to the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S
Porsche 997
The Porsche Type 997 , also simply called the 997 is the current version of the 911 family sports car built by German manufacturer Porsche in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen...
, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6
BMW M6
The BMW M6, also known as the BMW M635CSi, is a high-performance version of the 6-Series automobile, designed by the motorsport division of BMW...
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
Nissan GT-R
The Nissan GT-R is a sports car produced by Nissan released in Japan on December 6, 2007, the United States on July 4, 2008, and the rest of the world in March 2009.-History:...
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
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
and an Aston Martin DB9
Aston Martin DB9
-DB9 Volante:The Aston Martin DB9 Volante is the convertible version of the DB9 coupe. It is built by hand in limited numbers and has enhanced styling. It is powered by the same 6.0 litre, DOHC 48 valve V12 as the DB9 and is completed with 470 bhp and a top speed of 186 mph...
.
On Bedford Autodrome
Bedford Autodrome
Bedford Autodrome is based just north of Bedford, England, in the village of Thurleigh. It is owned by former Formula One driver Jonathan Palmer.-The autodrome:...
, tested by Evo Magazine
Evo Magazine
Evo is a British automobile magazine dedicated to performance cars, from hot hatches to supercars. The first issue was produced in November 1998 as an unofficial successor to Performance Car, which had been closed and integrated into Car Magazine by publisher Emap. "Evo" is published 13 times a...
, the R8 was faster than the Lamborghini Gallardo
Lamborghini Gallardo
The Lamborghini Gallardo is a sports car built by Lamborghini. The Gallardo is Lamborghini's most-produced model to date, with over 10,000 built in its first seven years of production...
.
- The R8 was awarded Best Handling Car and Fastest Car In The World of 2007 by AutocarAutocarAutocar is a weekly British automobile magazine published by Haymarket Motoring Publications Ltd. It refers to itself as "The World's oldest car magazine".-History:...
magazine. - It was awarded SportsCar of the year by German magazine Autobild.
- What Car?What Car?What Car? is a long-running UK monthly automobile magazine and website, currently edited by Steve Fowler and published by Haymarket Motoring. First published in 1973, it is intended primarily as a magazine for consumers rather than dedicated automobile enthusiasts...
awarded 2010 Performance Car of the YearCar of the YearCar of the Year is a phrase usually considered to have been invented by Motor Trend magazine in the 1950s for their annual award for best American automobile...
. - PlayboyPlayboyPlayboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
magazine awarded it Car of The Year for 2008. - The Automobile Journalists Association of CanadaAutomobile Journalists Association of CanadaThe Automobile Journalists Association of Canada is an association of professional journalists, writers and photographers whose focus is the automobile and the automotive industry in Canada. Since 1985 AJAC has held an annual Canadian Car of the Year award.-External links:* http://www.ajac.ca*...
(AJAC) named the R8 Canadian Car of the Year, and, in addition, gave it the Best New Prestige Car and Best New Design awards for model year 2008. - Top GearTop Gear (magazine)Top Gear is an automobile magazine published by BBC Worldwide, and named after the BBC's Top Gear television show. It was first published in October 1993 and is published monthly at a price of £3.95. The major presenters of the television series—Richard Hammond, James May and Jeremy Clarkson—are...
named the Audi R8 the 2007 Car of the Year. - Fifth GearFifth GearFifth Gear is a motoring television magazine show from the United Kingdom. Originally shown on Channel 5, the show is currently presented by Tiff Needell, Vicki Butler-Henderson, Jason Plato, Jonny Smith and Ben Collins...
named the R8 both the Best fast car and the Car of the Year 2007. - Automobile MagazineAutomobile MagazineAutomobile magazine is an automobile magazine in the United States and is owned by Source Interlink. It was founded by a group of former employees of Car and Driver magazine, led by that publications’s former editor, David E. Davis, and originally published by News Corporation...
awarded the R8 the 2008 Automobile of the Year. - The Audi R8 was named 2008 "MSNMSNMSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
Car of the Year", with 42% of the votes, beating the Ferrari F430Ferrari F430The Ferrari F430 is a sports car that was produced by the Italian automaker Ferrari from 2004 to 2009, as a successor to the 360. It debuted at the 2004 Paris Motor Show...
into 2nd with 13%, and the BMW M3BMW M3The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M. M3 models have been derived from the E30, E36, E46 and E90/E92/E93 3-series, and sold with coupé, sedan and convertible body styles...
into 3rd with 11%. - The JB car pages awarded the Audi R8 its maximum rating of 5 stars.
- In the 2008 World Car of the YearWorld Car of the YearThe World Car of the Year is an automobile award selected by a jury of 48 international automotive journalists from 22 countries. Cars considered must be sold in at least five countries on at least two continents prior to January 1 of the year of the award...
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.
- Motor Klassik readers named the Audi R8 the "Classic Car of the Future 2009" in the Sports Car category.