Audi R8 2012 News

The Audi R8 Spyder's 4.2-litre FSI engine produces 316kW of power, compared with the V10 version with 386kW or the GT version with 412kW.Even with the V8 aboard it still does the dash in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 300 km/h.The compact V8 which weighs just 216kg is hand-assembled at the engine factory in Gyor, Hungary.The engine is mated to a six-speed manual or R tronic sequential manual gearbox, with all-wheel drive standard.The goods news is that the V8 Spyder is about $80,000 cheaper, but still costs a bomb at $300,400.The 4.2 Spyder which arrives in the middle of the year will feature a similarly high level of equipment to coupe.These include the following highlights:19-inch 5-twin spoke design alloy wheelsAudi magnetic rideAudi parking system advance with rear view cameraMetallic paintXenon headlights with LED daytime driving lightsSport seats upholstered in Alcantara leatherWind breaker.

Audi confirmed at the Australian International Motor Show that the car, which was first shown in 2009, will be made from late next year. The supercar is a true quattro with an electric motor for each wheel that combine to generate 230kW and push the 1600kg car from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds. A heat pump is used to provide heat for the occupants - the electric motors don’t generate enough heat by themselves to use in the airconditioning. The lithium-ion battery pack weighs in at 470kg and has a useable charge of 42.4kW/h. For those not inclined to plug their performance cars in, Audi has the R8 GT - a 412kW/510Nm rocket powered by a V10 engine. All five cars earmarked for Australia have been sold, despite the $470,700 price.

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 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.

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.