Jan 18 2009
Audi R8
The all-new 2008 Audi R8 is a mid-engine two-seater sports coupe poised to compete with the Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M6 and Porsche 911. Based in platform on the Lamborghini Gallardo, this super sport Audi employs a lightweight aluminum space frame. However, the R8 forgoes the Lambo’s V10 engine in favor of a formidable 4.2-liter V8 engine developed in house. Three years ago, Audi delivered its Le Mans Quattro in concept form to the applause of journalists and potential customers. The production version, the new R8, will hit showrooms sometime in the first half of 2007 tagged as a 2008 model. Pricing has not been announced, but will likely ring up just over
Audi has a renowned racing background, and the mid-engine R8 truly embraces Audi’s race car heritage. As with other manufacturer’s flagship sports coupes, the R8 also represents this brand’s premier opportunity to showcase its engineering abilities. The 100 horsepower-to-liter achievement is impressive, but with only 4.2 liters the R8 can’t match the power of BMW’s 500 horse, ten-cylinder M6. In terms of appearance and structure, however, the R8 shines. The exterior sheet metal, mid-engine placement with viewing window and a sophisticated space frame easily befit the six-figure price point. Renowned Quattro AWD is yet another ace in Audi’s hand.
The DTM is one of the most exciting racing championships in the world, staring the best german-made cars and the title of Safety Car in such a prestigious championship is an honor to a car. After coming back from the legendary LeMans 24 hour race, the Audi R8 won’t have much time to breathe, as it was chosen the official Safety Car for the DTM. Also, another R8 will be the racing taxi for this championship.
Audi themselves highlighted the DTM’s choice for their supercar, by saying that the modifications implied by being a Safety Car were minimal because their mid-engined model is already a great sports car. The R8 will make its debut at the Norisring Speed Weekend.The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2006, appearing at auto shows and events all over the world. The R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, which contributes to the car’s relatively light weight.
Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show and 2003 International Motor Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There is some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the Le Mans winning R8 LMP and also the 1989 Mk 11 Rover 200, codenamed R8.The Audi R8 is equipped with a 4.2 litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) V8 engine developing 420 PS (309 kW; 414 hp) and 430 N·m (320 ft·lbf), and is basically the same engine used in the B7 Audi RS4, but modified to use dry sump lubrication. A variant with a 5.2 litre Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) V10 engine was added on the 9th of December 2008, which produces 386 kW (525 PS; 518 hp) and 530 N·m (390 ft·lbf).[4]
The transmission is either a manual gearbox with metal gate for the shift lever, or an “R-tronic” gearbox (single-clutch semi-automatic sequential manual transmission). These options are the same as those available on the Lamborghini Gallardo. A double-clutch gearbox (Direct-Shift Gearbox - DSG, now badged by Audi as “S-tronic”) is not currently (as of December 2008) available.
The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). Its suspension uses magneto rheological dampers.[5]
Audi R8
As Audi AG owns Lamborghini (Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), 15% of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including the transmission and chassis.[citation needed] The R8 is made distinct by its exterior styling, cabin, engine, and pricing.
Safety features include Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme with ABS, front dual-stage airbags, and side-impact airbags.[6]
Amongst the options list for the Audi R8 are a Bang & Olufsen sound system,[7] and “Audi Ceramic” Carbon fibre-reinforced Silicon Carbide (C/SiC) composite brakes with monobloc alloy Brembo calipers on all four wheels (6-piston at front, 4-piston at rear) with SGL Carbon ceramic disc. To produce the R8, seventy workers fit 5,000 unique parts by hand. The factory produces 15 cars a day. It has also been credited as the only car in the world to undergo a CT Scan.[citation needed] Ninety-five lasers inspect the entire car in five seconds to ensure that over 220 measurements are within 0.1 mm of the programmed plans.[11] The 2-seat coupé is currently available in Europe, the United States, Canada and Japan.In Latin America, the R8 became available at the end of 2008 at dealers in Mexico City, Bogota, Medellin, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, and Santiago. Customers bought every unit available for 2008 within a week after the R8 premiered at the Bogota International Auto Show and Auto Expo of Medellin.The R8 TDI Le Mans produces 500 PS (493 hp/368 kW) and 1,000 N·m (738 lb·ft) of torque. It uses Audi’s quattro permanent four-wheel drive system, and is mid-engined. It has a six-speed manual gearbox. It goes from 0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds, and its top speed is 202 mph (325 km/h)The R8 TDI Le Mans has modified suspension settings and brakes, to cope with the added power and weight (300 kg (661.4 lb)) as a result of replacing the standard V8 engine with the V12 TDI. The V12 TDI requires more cooling than the standard R8, hence the NACA duct in the roof to feed additional air in to the engine. The vents on the front and back of the car have also been increased by 20% in size. The headlights are all-LED. For its appearance at the Detroit Motor Show, Audi fitted 20-inch alloy wheels. The rear bulkhead has been moved forward in order to accommodate the V12, meaning it loses the space behind the rear seats usually found on the standard R8.Audi unveiled the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro on the 9th of December 2008. The engine is based on the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 but is detuned to produce 386 kW (525 PS; 518 hp) and 530 N·m (390 ft·lbf) of torque.The R8 V10’s performance numbers are enhanced as a result. Audi estimates the new 0-62 mph time as only 3.9 seconds, 60-124 mph in 8.1 seconds, and a 196 mph top speed. Other changes to the V10 version of the R8 include some aesthetic differences such as all-LED headlights, interior enhancements, and a more aggressive body styling.This version of the R8 was initially going to have the same engine as the RS6, a 5.0 litre V10 TFSI engine. It was thought initially that this version of the engine, which produces 580 PS (572 hp/427 kW), was going to be fitted. However, the twin-turbo system overheated, and one prototype was destroyed at the Nürburgring.Although it was rumored by the automotive press since the announcement of the production R8 in 2006, it was only in August 2008 that spy shots of a convertible R8 were published online Although there is still some camouflage on the car itself, a “soft-top” roof is clearly visible and the unique sideblade has been removed. Compared with the coupe model, the convertible will have extra chassis support, a pair of roll-over safety bars as well as minor changes such as the location of the fuel tank filler. It is expected as both a V8 and V10 powered model.Audi announced the production of an R8 LMS racing car, designed for the FIA GT3 European Championship and various national racing series. Known within Audi Sport as the ‘R16′, the R8 LMS features a 500 hp (370 kW; 510 PS) V10 engine. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive the R8 LMS comes with the typical rear-wheel drive setup. The power is transmitted via a newly developed 6-speed sequential sports gearbox.German automaker Audi today zipped ahead in the automotive sports car segment as it rolled out mid-engine super sports car Audi R8 at a price of Rs 1.17 crore
‘Audi R8 is not only a strong statement about the brand, but also about Audi’s direction for the future to be the most successful premium brand by 2015. It embodies the philosophy of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik,’ Audi India Managing Director Benoit Tiers said at a media conference here.
Equipped with an engine displacement of 4,163 cc and a power output of 420 hp at 7,800 rpm, Audi R8, having a day-to-day drivability, can attain a top speed of 301 km/hr in 4.6 seconds.Along with the Audi model range in India consisting of new Audi A4, Audi A6, Audi A8, Audi Q7 and Audi TT, Audi R8 is available at 12 dealerships, including Delhi, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Bangalore and Mumbai.
Mr Tiers added:’ We plan to sell ten Audi R8s in this fiscal. We have already received orders for 15 cars and by the end of 2009 we hope to sell around 20 cars.’ Asked about the delivery time of the car, he said,’ It is a customised car and could be alternated as per the customer’s demand.
The delivery time of the car will be around 2-3 months.’ The company, which plans to have a manufacturing facility in Aurangabad, has already sold 4,000 Audi R8 across the globe
