Audi R8 News

Most manufacturer-produced automotive videos feature high-end cars in exotic locations, backed by either a classical, trance or techno music soundtrack. While that may be fine for most consumers, those of us with 5w30 in our veins much prefer to hear the engine’s song instead of canned elevator music. Audi has apparently heard our complaints, and its latest marketing video for the R8 V10 Plus fades the backing track when the driver mats the throttle. Better yet, the car is strapped to a dyno, so there’s no wind noise to distract from the glorious roar of the car’s 399 kilowatts, 5.2-litre V-10 engine as it surges to redline. The R8 V10 Plus is naked, too, stripped of its rear body work to show off the oily bits. Most of the exhaust system is missing as well, allowing us to see flame belching from the car’s sizable downpipes. As Audi porn goes, it doesn’t get much better than this. Audi also wants consumers to know that it’s partnered with image-recognition app Blippar to create an “augmented reality” multimedia experience. Point your Blippar-equipped smartphone at a print advertisement for the Audi R8 V10 Plus, and the app will automatically call up the video seen here (in the U.K., anyway). Kristian Dean, Audi UK’s national communications manager, sees such apps as the future of advertising, saying, “The use of Blippar technology allows people to interact immediately with the car, and get under its bonnet in a way they simply would not be able to do with a 2D advertisement alone.” We’re in agreement, so expect to see more of the same from automotive manufacturers in the coming years. www.motorauthority.com  

...Drool. Check your bank balance. Sigh.

More wicked news from Audi as it polishes its R8 supercar with a new transmission for even more blistering performance. Out goes the clunky electro-mechanical six-speed gearbox and in slots a seven-cog dual-clutch box. Audi Australia says the updated R8 - in V8 and V10, coupe and Spyder and R8+ coupe - will be here early next year but hasn't announced prices. Only 26 R8s have been sold this year to the end of June compared with 28 Lamborghinis and 49 Ferraris. The updated R8 precedes a new model set for 2016. Other changes for the 2013 R8 are improved LED headlights and new rear LED lights, a deeper rear diffuser, new bumper and grille and subtle changes to the R8+ lightweight model. The new transmission - called S-tronic by Audi but known by the Volkswagen Group as DSG - is optional on the V8 and standard on the V10. It is an evolution of the current DSG design with a new layout for the two clutches, a small 600mm overall gearbox length and drive to the front wheels via the engine's crankcase. Up to 30 per cent of torque can be directed to the front wheels. The new transmission has reduced emissions by up to 22g/km CO2 and fuel consumption by 1.2 L/100km. The V8 S-tronic averages 12.4 L/100km and the V10 is 13.1 L/100km. Audi claims the new model is quicker to 100km/h by up to 0.3 seconds. That gives the V8 S-tronic a 4.3 second time and only 3.6 seconds for the V10. Power outputs remain the same at 316kW/430Nm for the V8 and 386kW/530Nm for the V10. Both engines are also available with a six-speed manual - standard on the V8 and optional on the V10. Details of the Spyder version are identical to the coupe.  

For the first time Audi Australia has launched a driver education programme open to the public that could have everybody from the P-plater to the would-be Le Mans Series legend smacking their lips. The Audi Drive Experience covers all standards of driving from beginning with the Basic Driving Experience aimed at sharpening skills behind the wheel, testing drivers’ and the cars’ limits. The Advanced Driving Experience takes place at higher speeds, where advanced exercises place emphasis on car control. The Performance Driving Experience takes knowledge and skills from the advanced course to a higher level. The Sportscar Experience uses one-on-one coaching to read track conditions and use techniques employed by professional race drivers in Audi’s RS 5 and R8 5.2 FSI quattro. The ultimate, of course, is the Race Experience – the only one held outside Germany - which takes place at Phillip Island with one-on-one coaching in the Audi R8 LMS, plus full performance analysis.         Topping off the list is the Ice Experience, a two-day slip and slide around New Zealand’s southern alps. Under the tutelage of a team of 11 hand-picked experts, led by TV presenter, race driver and engineer Steve Pizzati, clients are taken through a full day of training - a morning of theory and manoeuvres, and an afternoon on the track smoothing out driving technique. The motoring media were given a sampler at Phillip Island GP circuit, one of six tracks in each state and territory but the Northern Territory to be the venues for the five-tier course aimed at improving the standard of all levels of driving ability. Using a range of Audis from a $6.8 million line-up of vehicles totalling 9246 horsepower, including the A1 Sport, Q models, flagship A8, S4, RS5, TT RS and the R8 V10 supercar, the scribes were introduced to units from the course which included dealing with skidding in the wet, rapid lane changing and the most effective use of ABS when turning under heavy braking. The hardest part for the experienced steerers was being encouraged to ignore driving rules and do the wrong thing in an emergency, then using the vehicle’s hi-tech safety features to right matters. Afternoon track time was taken to the accompaniment of intermittent sun showers which kept everyone focused on proceedings.  While serious, it was a lot of fun. Audi has a history of driving education programmes, beginning with the quattro experience in 1980, closely followed by the ice experience a year later. Nineteen ninety-seven saw the invitation-only driving experience come online. Now there’s the Audi driving experience 2012 for anyone prepared to lay down the dollars. Prices range from $750 for the Advanced Experience to $5990 for the full-on LMS R8 race experience. Beginning in July, all can all be booked online through a dedicated Audi site. Not that the goodwill is all one way, Audi is using the drive experience as a branding exercise and a bid for sales of its high-tech, super-safe product. Smart move.  

The Audi is nearly ready for showrooms as this production prototype proves, right down to the giant stickers down the side.But don't get too excited, as only 1000 are being built and they will all stay in Europe.The e-tron speedster looks almost identical to the regular R8s, although there are no exhaust pipes and the engine cover is opaque.The car's numberplate, HOCHVOLT, is German for high voltage. THe Audi R8 e-tron will cost more than $300,000 but is unlikely for Australia.

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.

The McLaren MP4-12C tops the list of Dad's dream cars.