Audi R8 2008 News

At the recent Frankfurt motor show, the German carmaker unveiled the drop-top Spyder, the electric e-Tron - and a chromed show car, just in case the stand needed any more bling. And now spy photographers Carparazzi have caught what is rumoured to be a version aimed at its lightweight Lamborghini stablemates. The stripped-out R8 snapped while testing at the Nurburgring is said to carry the same 5.2-litre V10 as the coupe, but with power boosted from the donor's 391kW. However there's no word of whether it will be given a toque lift as well. However with the lighter weight and even a little power, it promises blistering performance, with the 0-100km/h notch possibly being reached in the mid threes, while top speed could be around 340km/h. The pared-down pacer is tipped to be around 50kg lighter, and have only manual transmission delivering the outputs to the more dynamic rear-wheel drive. Exterior changes are said to be minimal, with likely some more spoiler kit and flaps on the front and sides, plus the huge wing shown in these images, which also reveal the rear diffuser has grown. Our contacts in Europe say the car will probably be unveiled at the Essen motor show next month and be on sale in the first quarter of 2010. For more spy shots of the Audi R8 Clubsport and more Carparazzi scoops, visit carsguide.com.au

The Lords of the Four Rings are expected to signal the start of an electric future with the unveiling of an electric R8 at next month's Frankfurt Motor Show. Confirmation of a high-end electric concept for the show, if not directly for an R8, came from Peter Schwarzenbauer, member of the board of management for Audi AG, during his visit to Sydney for the opening of the $50 million Audi Terminal company headquarters. "If you go back to the past all major new technology was introduced top down," Schwarzenbauer says. "I have a hard time understanding that the only discussion about electric cars is about small cars, understanding what the business case would be. "If you look around, a current battery package costs roughly 12-15,000 Euros. So if you take a smaller car that is also 12-15,000 Euros then you are effectively doubling the price of the car just by putting the battery in. I don't know how environmental you have to be to be convinced to pay double to drive electric." Schwarzenbauer says Audi believes that by adding the cost of the electric technology to a car that is at the top of the range makes it easier to assimilate the cost of the batteries without buyer resistance and effectively takes away the need for heavy government subsidies. "I think the electric car technology has to be introduced like all other technologies in the world, top down," he says. "I am not confirming it will be R8 but it will be at the top end and something very sporty that we are going to show at the upcoming Frankfurt show." Schwarzenbauer also quickly dismissed suggestions that any work Audi did on electric models would flow to others in the conglomerate such as VW, Porsche or Seat. "What we are showing in Frankfurt is for the Audi brand ... I am sure also that Volkswagen has something based around electric in Frankfurt but it is not my business to say what." One area that Audi does not see as the end game is hybrid technology, according to Schwarzenbauer. "Hybrid is a technology you have to get engaged in, not because you think it is a solution but because it is a step towards fully electric driving," he says. "If you are looking at only fuel consumption then you see that in Australia some of our competitors have one model offering as a hybrid. We have 21 models in the Australian market with a fuel consumption below 7L/100km." Schwarzenbauer says that at times the value and potential of more mainstream and traditional engine technology is lost in the rush to discover and write about things that are new and considered exciting. "I think sometimes that it is more interesting to write about the new technology, about hybrids, but the facts are different. The facts are that not one hybrid can really achieve what we can today with a modern TDi (turbo diesel injection) engine. "But of course in public perception that is old technology and people do not perceive how modern today's diesel engine is." He says that there is potential for further savings in economy and emissions in both diesel and petrol internal combustion engines. "That is why we have committed ourselves to reduce fuel consumption by another 20 per cent by 2012."

That Audi R8 is an evil car, it turns out.

Funny Audi R8 commercial from december 2008.

At least, not by anyone with a sense of sanity. But Audi has revealed an upcoming addition to the R8 range — the R8 V10.The much-anticipated direct-injection dry-sump 5.2-litre 90-degree V10 — which has close ties to the Lamborghini sibling within the Volkswagen stable — produces 386kW at 8000rpm and 530Nm at 6500rpm.The R8 V10 six-speed manual weighs only 1620kg — 258kg of that is the engine, 31kg more than the 4.2-litre V8 — and leaps to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds; 200km/h is reached less than five seconds later and its top speed is 316km/h.The lightweight V10 also lays claim to a reasonable thirst — given the performance potential — of 13.7 litres per 100 km.It retains the quattro all-wheel drive system, is enclosed beneath a lightweight aluminium spaceframe body and has the production-car first LED headlights — Audi is the first car maker to use an LED light all external lights.The engine will share close ties to the recently-revealed GT race car, with the dry-sump lubrication system, allowing it to be low in the engine bay for better centre of gravity.Among the other features will be launch control, 19in alloys with 235/35 front and 295/30 rear, 44/56 front/rear weight distribution, tyre pressure monitoring, magnetic ride control suspension, eight-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers, ventilated and perforated discs and the option of a lightweight carbon-composite ceramic brake system.There's also a rear spoiler which deploys automatically at 100km/h to generate additional downforce.The body-in-white of the R8 V10, which includes an engine frame made of ultra-light magnesium, weighs only 210 kilograms (463 lb).Other features highlights include heated seats covered in Nappa leather, a driver information system (including an integrated rear camera), an alarm, satellite navigation and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.Various leather trim options are also available, as well as the Audi exclusive program that can upgrade the interior to generate a "racing atmosphere" into the R8 V10.Given the price rise between the V8 and the V10 models in Europe, expect the R8 V10 to top $350,000 when its rubber hits Australian roads towards the end of next year. 

Everything from an A5 cabrio, A5 Sportback, A4 Allroad wagon, A7 four-door sports coupe, A1 Sportsback, Q3 off-roader and R8 convertible is on the books.But Audi Australia is not revealing just what is likely to head to Australia.Audi Australia general manager of marketing, Immo Buschmann, is giving little away on the new arrivals, only confirmed the early 2009 launch of the Q5 off-roader.However, he hints that an A5 Sportsback and maybe an A4 Allroad were on the cards."But we have not decided," he says.He says he is unaware specifically what the Germany headquarters has in store for Australia regarding new models.Recently, Audi AG's product development chief, Michael Dick, revealed to European media that Audi's range of 22 vehicles will grow with another 18 "in our heads".It is believed the A5 convertible will be unveiled in Europe before the end of the year with an A5 Sportback arriving next year, followed by the Q3.The A5 Sportback will be designed to fill a gap between the A4 Avant and A6 Avant.Performance derivatives are believed to be among the mix, with an R5 and RS5 mooted.One thing is clear though, the huge investment local dealers have taken in new "Terminal" showrooms will pay off.The first "Terminal" dealership cost $12 million and is located in Sydney's Five Dock.It is the first of a design that will be adopted globally."Our dealers have invested heavily to be able to display and sell these new cars," he says."The Q5 is our next big launch."Audi is expected to launch the car with a tough Trans-Continental drive through Outback Australia like the successful Q7 launch.Speaking at the launch of the RS6 Avant, Buschmann, says although the focus on RS is to maintain exclusivity, he admitted that in the future, the company may have to broaden the RS thinking."If there is demand to broaden the RS portfolio then we will look at it," he says."The ethos of the RS is entirely up to our product strategists."But I imagine we would look at a top-down approach when we look at eligible RS cars, those that have the necessary DNA." 

 Audi Sport is for those who just want a car for the track or team owners who want to go racing in the GT3 series. The powerful 372kW plus GT3 version of the Audi R8 will be available next year. Audi Motorsport boss Dr Wolfgang Ullrich said Audi had been “inundated” with inquiries about an R8 race version since the car was released. “With the Audi R8 we will offer customers a racing sportscar equipped with high-calibre technology and the typical Audi qualities, but which is nevertheless easy to handle,” he said. The Audi R8 conforms to the production-based GT3 regulations, allowing the car to be fielded in numerous national and international race series. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel-drive, the Audi R8 comes with the typical GT rear-wheel-drive. The power is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox. The suspension is almost entirely built with components from the production line. The list of safety equipment guarantees the highest level of passive safety. A modified front end and a large rear wing generate the required downforce for the racetrack. The Audi R8, which bears the project name “R16”, was developed under the direction of Audi Sport. The first prototype has completed a roll-out in the hands of Audi factory driver Frank Biela. The first test races in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season.  

Audi and Mercedes-Benz have scored major “product placement” deals to get their cars into the spotlight of Iron Man which opened on Thursday and Sex and the City which begins screening next month.While most product placement is paid, Mercedes claims it did not pay to have its cars featured in Sex and the City, nor has Mercedes ever paid for film placement.In fact, the German manufacturer is known for trying to have its cars kept out of some films where they are featured crashing, being used in nefarious acts or associated with gangster gangs.While their S Class saloon is an apt placement in the fashion-conscious New York movie, their new GLK, a brutish-looking SUV, is out of place and took some convincing for the director to include it.The SUV had not been released when filming began and a heavy security cordon was thrown around the vehicle during shooting to thwart spy shots appearing in motoring magazines.The car star of Iron Man is Audi's new R8 supercar, driven by lead actor Robert Downey Jr.The American actor this week arrived at the Australian premiere in a silver R8.Supporting roles in the film are played by the S5 sports sedan driven by American secret service agents and a Q7 SUV, which is literally held up by Iron Man, who saves the family inside from the enemy.Audi Australia corporate communications general manager Anna Burgdorf could not confirm whether any payment was made for the placement. 

The Audi R8 supercar could have a muscular 372kW six-litre V12 twin-turbo diesel under its glass bonnet.

It's the sort of odd-couple relationship that really shouldn't work ... but does. North America's eternal fascination with giant trucks and muscle machines continues