Audi R8 News

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... 

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

The new concept from Audi had people talking at the Detroit Motor Show, as photographers and tyre kickers fought for any available space to gawk at the V12 diesel beast, even an hour after the reveal.Sprinting from 0-100km/h at a tight 4.2 seconds the R8, being closely related to the R10, will surely be thrown into the supercar category in no time flat.Many in the industry say that the noise these high end Audis are putting out at the moment is the best in the game, and the R8 doesn’t disappoint, using every one of its 500 horses to put the rest to shame.