Audi R8 2009 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

Revealed this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Audi R8 Spyder adds fresh air to the car that has become something of an icon for the brand .

The Frankfurt Motor Show literally roared to life this morning when a classic BMW 507 roadster ran laps of a custom-built oval track inside the German carmaker's $30 million stand.

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.

Just 10 years ago, dual airbags and anti-skid brakes were probably the most technologically advanced systems in your new car.Today, there can be as many as 10 airbags, anti-skid brakes are the norm and electronic stability control and traction systems are becoming more common.But the automobile industry’s rush to technology has not stopped there.Runflat tyres are a familiar safety feature, as well as park assist sensors and lane departure warning systems. In addition, adaptive high-intensity LED headlights that can light the way through corners are a major benefit of R&D at Audi and Lexus.These features are all on the checklist of new car buyers.New safety systems continue to appear — adaptive cruise control, night vision, driver alert systems and collision avoidance warnings.Apart from advances in life-saving technology, petrol-electric hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic are mainstream models now.Manufacturers are also introducing new engine drivetrains with all-electric cars, hydrogen-powered cars, in-wheel electric motors and dedicated LPG and CNG cars.Mazda and BMW are testing hydrogen cars in Japan and the US.Nissan expects to have an all-electric car based on the prototype EV-02 on sale in two years and Mitsubishi’s i MiEV electric car is on sale in Japan. The former is also working with Renault to launch an all-electric Megane for Israel next year.All new technology takes time to trickle down to the mainstream, and cars are certainly no different.BMW’s road speed sign detection system is currently available only on the new $200,000 7 Series.The system, designed to read signs and adjust speed accordingly, will eventually roll out in other BMWs and there will be inevitable imitations from other manufacturers. The road speed system tells the driver the maximum speed allowable on the route they are taking.Mercedes-Benz is pioneering a drowsy driver system called Attention Assist.With driver fatigue responsible for 25 per cent of all accidents, the Mercedes Attention Assist system monitors the driver’s behaviour. It also registers steering wheel movements, indicator and pedal operation, along with several specific control operations and external influences such as side winds or uneven road surfaces.If it detects that the driver is drowsy, an alarm will sound and the warning “Attention Assist. Break!” pops up on the instrument cluster.The Swedes, famous for their commitment to safety, are also adding newer technologies to gain an edge.When the new Volvo XC60 arrives in March it will have a computer and radar-controlled collision avoidance system as standard. Called City Safety, the system is mounted behind the windscreen and constantly monitors vehicles ahead.Volvo found that 75 per cent of collisions occur below 30km/h and that, in 50 per cent of those cases, drivers had not braked before impact.City Safety is able to make a crucial difference. It operates at speeds up to 30 km/h and is able to detect if the car is at risk of colliding with the vehicle ahead. If the driver has not taken corrective action in time, City Safety will apply the brakes to either minimise the impact or avoid it altogether.Volvo’s new S60 concept car, displayed at this year’s Detroit Motor Show, takes the concept a step further. When it goes on sale next year it will have a collision warning with full automatic brake and pedestrian detection system that reacts when a pedestrian walks out in front of a car. The system will apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to the danger.Even the Japanese are getting in on the act. Last year Nissan introduced an innovative safety system that warns your car’s GPS system if a pedestrian is about to step in front of your car.How?Well, the newer Nissans in Japan will be equipped with mobile phone readers in the satellite navigation systems that scan the front of the car for any pedestrian with a mobile phone. If that pedestrian is about to step in front of your car, their mobile will ring or vibrate to warn them.The driver of the car also gets a warning alarm. This will be supplemented by a flashing “pedestrian” image that pops up on the satellite navigation system.The system is expected to be available on all Nissans in 18 months.Audi and VW’s contribution comes in the form of park assist. At the press of a button it will parallel park your vehicle into a vacant space. The system is available on the VW Tiguan, Passat CC and newer Audis like the A3. The 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show... 

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.  

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