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RXBG
September 27th, 2006, 21:22
September 27, 2006
The Genes of a Winner: The New Audi R8
Source: Audi AG

Audi has incorporated the name and the genes of the five-time Le Mans winner, the Audi R8, into a spectacular sports car. Three years after the unveiling of the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, the production version will be making its debut at the Paris Motor Show in the guise of the new Audi R8 mid-engined sports model. It is a fascinating driving machine and the sporty pinnacle of the Audi brand. The mid-mounted 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and Audi Space Frame aluminium body form the basis for truly outstanding driving dynamics. The Audi R8 will be available to order from 28 September 2006; first deliveries will be made in the first half of 2007.

As the first Audi mid-engined sports car, the R8 combines Audi's experience gained from numerous motorsport triumphs with groundbreaking design and the acknowledged technological expertise of the brand. This expertise has led to the slogan 'Vorsprung durch Technik' becoming a byword for leading-edge technology both on the race track and on the road.

Audi has recorded countless motorsport victories on race tracks all over the world. Following the rally successes of the Ingolstadt brand in the 1980s, and its triumphs on the touring car circuit, the world of long-distance motor racing was without a doubt the biggest challenge yet faced by Audi’s motorsport engineers.

And they mastered this challenge in style too: the Audi R8 won the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours five times – from 2000 to 2002 and in 2004 and 2005 – and on two occasions even took the first three places.

Le Mans is without doubt the toughest challenge to the Audi Sport Team's engineers because it calls for a level of engineering going far beyond the need merely to keep all the systems focussed on a short, sharp sprint. Alongside the essential virtues of top performance and optimised driving dynamics, the key requirements in long-distance racing are endurance and reliability, allied with optimum ergonomic design.

These are genes which are eminently transferable to a road-going sports car too, and which, allied to its exciting design, make the Audi R8 truly unmistakeable.

The exterior

Even at first glance, the calibre of the car is plain to see. The Audi R8 sits broad and squat on the road, the strongly accentuated rear end appearing to flex its muscles like a sprinter ready for the off.

The characteristic proportions of the vehicle are dictated by the location of the engine behind the cockpit. This layout is a typical feature of race cars. One of the most striking examples of this design – and as such one of the legitimate antecedents of the Audi R8 – was, and still is, the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix car. The central position of the engine is above all a boon to driving dynamics, as it allows for a weight distribution, as on the R8, of 44 percent to the front and 56 percent to the rear.

The car's body is highly compact in appearance. The front end and the gently curved roof arc are drawn in a sweeping line; a line which immediately marks the two-seater out as an Audi.

The side view also reveals familiar contours. The dynamic line above the wheel arches and the shoulder line interlink the front end, side and rear, imbue the doors and the transition to the side air vent with a strong presence, and even more emphatically highlight the typical Audi rounded wheel housings accommodating the big wheels.

The cabin of the Audi R8 is pushed far forward – a typical feature of a mid-engined sports car, and as such a visual cue linking it to the race car of the same name. Behind the cabin, positioned in front of the rear axle, is the V8 FSI engine, a sculptured piece of engineering visible both through the large, shield-shaped rear window and from inside the car.

1.90 metres wide but just 4.43 metres long and 1.25 metres high: these are the proportions of a true sports car. The 2.65-metre wheelbase offers room for the astonishingly spacious cabin and the longitudinally mounted engine behind it. Behind the doors, a large-surface 'sideblade' air deflector sweeps between the wheel arch and the roof section, delivering air for the V8 to breathe as well as for cooling. The paint finish of the sideblades is coordinated with the body colour.

The front end is characterised by the trapezoidal styling of the Audi single-frame grille, flanked on the right and left by additional large-dimensioned air intakes. For the first time, the four-ring badge is positioned on the bonnet, above the grille. The flat strips of the innovative LED headlights, with their clear-glass covers, join flush to the tops of the air intakes.

The R8 is the first series-production car to offer the option of ordering all the headlight functions – dipped beam, main beam, daytime running lights and indicators – as LEDs. LED stands for 'light-emitting diodes', and represents a technology which offers substantial advantages over conventional bulbs based on a much longer life.

Because they take up less space than conventional lights, LEDs provide the designers with greater freedom to be creative. The design of the strikingly three-dimensional main headlights, using LED technology, is particularly eye-catching.

Bionics, in other words drawing design inspiration from nature, has been deployed on the R8's headlights. The light unit has a design reminiscent of an open pine cone. Reflector shells arranged concentrically one behind the other, in conjunction with a powerful LED projection system, concentrate the light from one multi-chip LED, producing a high-luminosity, even form of driving light.

The internal reflectors of the main beam headlight are styled in a shape inspired by the architecture of the Sydney Opera House. And in contrast to them, the daytime running lights delimit the underside of the headlight as narrow strips of light – delivering distinctive signals and providing an innovative visual touch. It will be possible to order LED headlights as options from the end of 2007 onwards.

The interplay of concave and convex lines contours the side-on view of the rear end. Underneath the clearly defined separation edge there is a flat vertical surface framed at its sides by the rear lights – also in LED technology. The third brake light strip runs across virtually the full width of the roof, forming the termination of the transparent engine hood.

The latter feature is yet another visual highlight. The observer looks right onto the V8, the very heart of this sports car. Indirect engine compartment lighting by white LEDs, enabling the engine to be seen even in the dark, is available as an option.

Two large-format diffuser openings in the rear bumper illustrate how intensively the styling of the Audi R8 is dictated by aerodynamics. The two pairs of circular twin exhaust tailpipes each sit at the right and left above the diffuser openings.

An automatically extending rear spoiler is deployed to assist the R8 in using the wind. It provides additional downforce to boost the suction effect produced by the aerodynamic styling of the underbody and by the diffusers. When travelling at lower speeds, the rear spoiler automatically retracts flush with the body.

The full aluminium body is constructed in the Audi Space Frame (ASF) design. Its perfect synthesis of minimal weight and maximum rigidity provides the ideal foundation for optimum driving dynamics, as well as delivering an outstanding power-to-weight ratio of just 3.71 kg per bhp.

The interior

The sporty interior is dominated by a totally driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high centre console. The instrument panel above the console is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, and also enables comfortable sports car entry and exit.

Form follows function: this design principle is implemented throughout the Audi R8. Alongside the driver-oriented architecture, also reflected in the styling of the side window sills, the choice of materials also makes for a highly functional look and feel. Looking around when in the driving seat makes one thing clear: just like in the R8 race car, the styling and placement of all the elements in the cockpit of this driving machine is focussed on the essentials. The centrepoint of everything is the driver.

This combination of the aesthetic and the ergonomic is maintained in the colours used and the overall ambience created – dark hues reflect the emphasis on engineering and are again reminiscent of the motorsport world. The impression of professional functionality and ergonomic styling is enhanced by the visible presence of top-quality materials in supreme craftsmanship.

The sports seats are trimmed as standard in a Leather/Alcantara combination, or optionally in full leather. Alternatively, the R8 can also be fitted with bucket seats, specially developed by quattro GmbH. There is plenty of room for the two occupants, with comfort levels well beyond the norm of high-performance sports cars. There is space behind the seats to stow large bags, or even two golf bags. The luggage compartment at the front has a capacity of 100 litres.

With numerous trim variants and applications in Piano finish or Carbon sigma, there are few limits to the range of customisation options for the interior.

The drive train

Turbine-like power up to the highest rev ranges, a high maximum torque, all combined with a fascinating sound, are the characteristics of a perfect sports car engine. An engine that is fascinating both in terms of its enormous power potential and its suitability for everyday use.

In the high-revving 420 bhp eight-cylinder engine, the evolution of FSI petrol direct injection technology has reached a new high. This technology has also enjoyed many triumphs in the Audi R8 race car.

The figures illustrate the outstanding potential of the eight-cylinder unit. At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-litre engine delivers 309 kW (420 bhp) of power output. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4.500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation.

The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 301 km/h.

The engine is a high-revving unit. The maximum engine speed is 8,250 rpm. The advantages of this principle are superior power output at high engine speeds and a smooth, eager responsiveness all across the revs range. Added to this are its agility, liveliness and engine sound, which is similar to that of a race car.

The Audi R8's dry sump lubrication – another technology originating directly from motor racing – provides the ideal basis for maximum longitudinal and lateral acceleration. It allows the V8 to be installed lower, thereby lowering the centre of gravity and further enhancing driving dynamics.

Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox. Here, too, the influence of the motorsport world is clearly evident, with a joystick gear-shift on the centre console and, most especially, the paddles mounted on the steering wheel, which are a long-established ergonomic feature in motorsport. The best illustration of this is once again the Le Mans winning Audi R8, which also enables the driver to change gear on the steering wheel.

'Shift by wire' technology provides for very fast gear-shifting and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio, allied to compact gearbox dimensions. The Sport mode, with its fast shifting, guarantees the absolute maximum in terms of driving fun. An automatic mode can also be selected.

Such a powerful Audi is of course fitted with permanent four-wheel drive, which distributes the power variably to the front and rear axles by way of a viscous clutch. On the Audi R8 the legendary quattro system is adapted to the axle load distribution typical of mid-engined cars.

The chassis

The chassis features forged aluminium double wishbones at the front and rear. At the front they are triangulated, while at the rear the top one is triangulated and the bottom one is a triangulated wishbone with a track rod. This provides for optimum wheel control, and is a geometry which has proved itself to be the ideal solution in delivering agility, maximum steering precision and precisely defined self-steering characteristics.

Direct, hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides optimum feedback to assist the driver.

The spring and damper set-up is stiff in order to deliver maximum driving dynamics, while still providing a quite astonishing level of ride comfort. This is particularly true when the 'Audi magnetic ride' adaptive damper system is chosen as an alternative to the standard gas-filled shock absorbers.

The reason for this is that these shock absorbers employ an innovative technology. Instead of the conventional damper fluid, a magnetorheological fluid is used – in other words, a fluid whose viscosity can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. This effect enables the damping characteristic to be influenced electronically at will and instantaneously, by applying a voltage to the electromagnets.

Audi magnetic ride uses this property to deliver the correct damping forces in every driving situation, thus optimising ride comfort and driving dynamics. A computer equipped with sensor technology determines the prevailing driving situation in a matter of milliseconds. Drivers can choose from two driving programs depending on whether they want to drive in a highly sporty style – with the magnetorheological fluid adjusted to a low viscosity – or with the emphasis more on ride comfort.

The Audi R8 is fitted with 6-arm 18-inch wheels as standard, and can optionally be ordered with 19-inch wheels. The 235/40 size tyres at the front and up to 285/35 at the rear provide the necessary road-holding. This tyre configuration also ensures that this mid-engined sports car is always able to translate the dynamism of its drive train and chassis into optimum grip and maximum lateral dynamics.

The mid-engined sports car's long wheelbase and extremely low centre of gravity ensure that it always retains maximum stability, resulting in superb agility, finely attuned responsiveness to any driver input, and high levels of safety.

Equipment and trim

Even the standard equipment of the Audi R8 meets the high demands of customers in this segment. Xenon plus lights, LED rear lights and daytime running lights, 18-inch aluminium wheels, an audio system with 7-inch monitor, an anti-theft alarm and Leather/Alcantara interior trim are just some of the items on the extensive list of standard features.

The range of optional extras leaves virtually nothing to be desired. A Bang & Olufsen sound system, featuring an output of 465 watts and 12 specially designed speakers, delivers surround sound of the highest standard. A microphone-based vehicle noise compensation system adjusts audio levels to changing road conditions and speeds.

The acoustic parking system and a rear-view camera help the driver to manoeuvre into even the tightest of spaces. The radio/navigation system plus, featuring a large-format colour monitor and MMI keypad, combines extensive functionality with extreme user-friendliness.

A range of coordinated and ideally combinable design and leather trim packages from Audi and from quattro GmbH can turn any R8 into the customer’s personal dream car.

The wheels range offers design alternatives in sizes of 18 and 19 inches, fitted with 235/35 size tyres at the front and up to 295/30 at the rear. A total of eight exterior colours are available, from Ibis White to Phantom Black, pearl effect.

The craftsmanship

The Audi R8 is being built on a small-lot production line in a specially constructed new block at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm. The entire production process – from the bodyshell construction to final assembly – is organised in the same way as a craft workshop. Small teams of specialists accompany every step of production, subjecting every part and component to intense scrutiny. This ensures that every one of the maximum of 15 cars per day built will more than match the customary high quality standards of the Audi product range.

Subzero
September 27th, 2006, 21:35
Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox.

does it mean DSG or a trip tronic

dsts6
September 27th, 2006, 21:45
it means an egear like system, or "f1" shifting system or smg. not dsg, not tiptronic

Subzero
September 27th, 2006, 21:51
:lovl: I wanted to see the DSG system, e-gear is not god enough for R8

Qisha
September 27th, 2006, 21:51
Dear Friends,

here you go:

AudiTumbo
September 27th, 2006, 21:53
http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/product/r8/r8.Par.0099.Image.JPG
http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/product/r8/r8.Par.0104.Image.JPG
http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/product/r8/r8.Par.0100.Image.JPG

Ruergard
September 27th, 2006, 21:54
A BIG EDIT:
After lookin and reading more clearly, there is the DSG transmission now called R-Tronic what I've understood. And I'm in love, think it looks fantastic, the engine bay is awesome and the interioir...!!

Stil think that there could have been a few more ponnies, but that might come up another enginge choices as time goes!

http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/product/r8/r8.Par.0101.Image.JPG

http://www.audi.de/etc/medialib/cms4imp/audi2/product/r8/r8.Par.0102.Image.JPG

Benman
September 27th, 2006, 23:24
So lovely a man could cry...:heart:

Ben:addict:

sticky
September 28th, 2006, 00:12
My god its beautiful. That settles it, I'm buying it, turned out even better than the concept, and that NEVER happens.

Damienr8
September 28th, 2006, 00:15
My god its beautiful. That settles it, I'm buying it, turned out even better than the concept, and that NEVER happens.

Agreee 100%. Those headlights are the best headlights I have ever seen on any car...easily. Looks better than the concept in every respect.

Leadfoot
September 28th, 2006, 00:29
So lovely a man could cry...:heart:

Ben:addict:

I don't know about the states, but in the UK a Vette Z06 costs about £70K and 104,000 euros calculates to £70K+. So Ben which would you choose, performance or style, Z06 or R8, US or Germany?

I love power as much as the next man, but that thing is achingly beautiful. And at least you know that all of the switch gear is of the highest quality, something you can't say about the vette.

KK265
September 28th, 2006, 00:38
"The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 301 km/h."

Is it completely delimited?

sticky
September 28th, 2006, 00:51
No news on the v10? The only thing this car would need is a bit more power. They made it dry sump but couldn't add a few ponies?

Benman
September 28th, 2006, 02:35
I don't know about the states, but in the UK a Vette Z06 costs about £70K and 104,000 euros calculates to £70K+. So Ben which would you choose, performance or style, Z06 or R8, US or Germany?
.

That would only be a tuff choice for my father. Me, easy. R8 hands down. Just the beauty alone. To me, it is as good looking as (actually, better looking than) the Gallardo or a F430 for tens of thousands less. True, $100K R8 will not be as quick as a $70K Z06, but then, if I want bragging rights, my S4 racecar is faster than either...:D

Ben

RXBG
September 28th, 2006, 02:59
you could do worse. you could buy an AM V8 for 125K and be 0.5 secs slower to 60. :hihi:

nonetheless. if you put all of the high quality materials. comfort. and solidity of the R8 into the Z06 the Z06 would probably not perform anywhere as well.

i think it's a hit. the R8 has few compromises. it truly is the 21st century NSX. and better looking than the gallardo. and F430. better looking than anything this side of an aston martin, in fact.

i think i'll get one.

who needs to wait another year for two more cylinders and 15K more? :p

sticky
September 28th, 2006, 03:27
you could do worse. you could buy an AM V8 for 125K and be 0.5 secs slower to 60. :hihi:

nonetheless. if you put all of the high quality materials. comfort. and solidity of the R8 into the Z06 the Z06 would probably not perform anywhere as well.

i think it's a hit. the R8 has few compromises. it truly is the 21st century NSX. and better looking than the gallardo. and F430. better looking than anything this side of an aston martin, in fact.

i think i'll get one.

who needs to wait another year for two more cylinders and 15K more? :p
You made a lot of statements about the weight going to be suprising. Is it suprising in the sense that it is a bit overweight? I was hoping it would be in the 3150 range but this is only 100 pounds lighter than a gallardo and 500 lighter than the rs4.

BBGT2
September 28th, 2006, 03:37
Needs more power, period. Other than that, looking great. Maybe in 2009 they will make a RS10 with a TTV10 making 650hp/550lb Ft. Now that would be awesome.
Either way Kudos to Audi for having the cajones to builidng it.
Cant wait for the RS7 either.

Bajo

KK265
September 28th, 2006, 09:03
Needs more power, period. Other than that, looking great. Maybe in 2009 they will make a RS10 with a TTV10 making 650hp/550lb Ft. Now that would be awesome.
Either way Kudos to Audi for having the cajones to builidng it.
Cant wait for the RS7 either.

Bajo

I agree completely.I am dissapointed.Who pays these money for a car and does not care for performance?Who wants an sport Audi when Porsche (GT3 for example at same price) is very quicker ?What about the price of this Audi after 2-3 years?Ok it is a new shape but nobody giving these money wants to be passed on autobahn very quickly by an M5 saloon,M6,SL etc...

Qisha
September 28th, 2006, 09:58
You made a lot of statements about the weight going to be suprising. Is it suprising in the sense that it is a bit overweight? I was hoping it would be in the 3150 range but this is only 100 pounds lighter than a gallardo and 500 lighter than the rs4.

Dear sticky,

you might have noticed that there is no official number about the weight. Not in the official Pressrelease Report nor in the official Pricelist. The only thing quoting the total weight is the power-to-weight ratio of 3.71 bhp/kg. So take a look at the Topspeed, the regular Gallardo for example is @309km/h, the SE @315 km/h. Count one and one together, -dont forget-, the R8 is not de-limited. 301 km/h is just marketing. For a base Modell, in my opinion, this is more than adequate. But for all of you that "need" more, you too should be satisfied with what is upcoming in this chassis.

dsts6
September 28th, 2006, 10:06
So how much does it weight then?
Anyone heard more about the V10 version....when that will be available?

Qisha
September 28th, 2006, 10:19
So how much does it weight then?
Anyone heard more about the V10 version....when that will be available?

Dear dsts6,

i just corrected sticky´s quote "but this is only 100 pounds lighter than a gallardo and 500 lighter than the rs4". In fact the final release R8 is not lighter than the Gallardo. The Gallardo is @1.430kg, the R8 is @1.560kg.
The expected number close to 1.400kg was not achievable with all the equip and safety features etc. At least not for this price.

V10: no decision yet.

tazsura
September 28th, 2006, 11:24
I hope they do make the V10...I have the ideal number plate for it...V10 LM on retention :bow: :bow:

Question is...do I sell the registration plate....or save and work really really really really hard, and pray all day every day to win the lottery in order to be able to afford the car when it comes out so that I can stick the plate on my own car!?

Congratulations to Audi for producing this stunnning car...:applause:
It has gone straight to the top of my wishlist for the cars I want to own :heart:

RacerBice
September 28th, 2006, 11:31
I agree completely.I am dissapointed.Who pays these money for a car and does not care for performance?Who wants an sport Audi when Porsche (GT3 for example at same price) is very quicker ?What about the price of this Audi after 2-3 years?Ok it is a new shape but nobody giving these money wants to be passed on autobahn very quickly by an M5 saloon,M6,SL etc...

GT3 is more expensive, and the regular 997 will be out-paced. Also, design-wise, no Porsche save the 4MEUR Carrera GT comes close. :bow: As for M beemers and AMG mercs, although some of them may come to outperform in straight line speed they'll be left trailing and eating dust on a winding road or even in high speed turns. :revs: So I think the end result is a well-balanced mix of performance, design and price. :cheers:

RB

Ps. With emphasis on design...because PPPHHHEEEWWW!!! :heart:

KK265
September 28th, 2006, 14:58
1.For winding road see M3 CSL and GT3 accelaration and lap times:http://www.track-challenge.com/main_e.asp

For the price of 997 GT3 follow this link:http://www.mobile.de/SIDpOh7xS45AM7MHoF1lZwwYg-t-vaNexlCsAsCsK%F3P%F3R~BmSB11LsearchPublicJ11594499 00A2LsearchPublicD1100CCar%5B-t-vctpLtt~BmPA1C181B20C485%81V-t-vCaMiMkQuSeUnVb_X_Y_x_yprsO~BSRA6D1100A3E20100ANCP KWA0HinPublicA2A0A0A0I550000000A0/cgi-bin/da.pl?bereich=pkw&sprache=2&sr_qual=N&top=193&id=11111111205324247&
I think that 997 GT3 is a little bit cheaper,not more expensive!!!

We will see the sales after 2 years....

Toto89
September 28th, 2006, 16:50
If I remember well, the Le Mans concept was around 1500kg with a V10 biturbo and R8 weights the same with only a NA V8.This doesn't sound too good!
I hoped that it won't be more than 1300kg, so I'm a bit dissappointed, and 3,71kg/bhp is also worse than BMW M5 and that is a sedan!So I'm not very satisfied with R8...

Erik
September 28th, 2006, 17:00
I hoped that it won't be more than 1300kg

Less than Enzo and Pagani for €110.000?

Get real... :deal:

Toto89
September 28th, 2006, 17:05
You are right...after I read your post I started to think hard where did I made the mistake: somewhere in the forum I read that it will be around 3100lbs and I converted it incorrectly into kg:doh:

QuattroFun
September 28th, 2006, 18:12
So it is here - looks very good IMO, although it borrows a lot from RS4, TT and Gallardo. Remains to be seen if it is an upgraded 911 4S or a downgraded Gallardo or worst of both worlds - price and engine/power-wise it is clearly a half way meet, but probably not quite dynamically. At 3,71*420 = 1560kg it really is ridicously heavy for a car with no rear seats, conventional suspension, lightweight buckets up front and - above all - an expensive ASF. How it can be so much heavier than a steel-bodied 911 4S (also with 4wd and tiny rear seats at merely 1475kg) is beyond me. No power hike on RS4 is also disappointing given the huge price gap and small claimed weight difference (1560kg vs. 1650kg). Maybe is also a lesson here for those trying to hype the next RS6...

Leadfoot
September 28th, 2006, 18:15
Guys, I hate to tell you this but I doubt the R8 will match the M5 never mind the M6 in acceleration. The plus side is that it will total destroy either of them down a twisty road, or just about any other supercar you care to name.

Anyway I will look forward to the next BMWM5.COM trackday to see the comparison.

Erik
September 28th, 2006, 18:49
Guys, I hate to tell you this but I doubt the R8 will match the M5 never mind the M6 in acceleration.

I very much doubt that was the intention with the R8.

54m
September 28th, 2006, 19:49
I cant belive the god damm cars out at first i didnt think that Audi would make such a thing but damm that look amazing!!

Ruergard
September 28th, 2006, 20:13
Guys, I hate to tell you this but I doubt the R8 will match the M5 never mind the M6 in acceleration. The plus side is that it will total destroy either of them down a twisty road, or just about any other supercar you care to name.



Ofcourse not, I think that a M5 or M6 will be faster in a stright line. No doubt!
But it will be fun to se a 0-200 time of the R8, we might be surprised? :hahahehe:

On twisty roads on the other hand I think the R8 will be a killer..! :king:

sticky
September 28th, 2006, 20:21
Dear sticky,

you might have noticed that there is no official number about the weight. Not in the official Pressrelease Report nor in the official Pricelist. The only thing quoting the total weight is the power-to-weight ratio of 3.71 bhp/kg. So take a look at the Topspeed, the regular Gallardo for example is @309km/h, the SE @315 km/h. Count one and one together, -dont forget-, the R8 is not de-limited. 301 km/h is just marketing. For a base Modell, in my opinion, this is more than adequate. But for all of you that "need" more, you too should be satisfied with what is upcoming in this chassis.
I'm not sure what you are saying. When audi told us the power to weight was 3.71 bhp/kg they told us the weight. Using some math we get a weight of about 3400 lbs. The gallardo weighs 3500, so that puts the R8 at about 100 pounds lighter.

Also, top speed has absolutely nothing to do with weight so I don't know why that factors in as weight has no impact on terminal velocity.

sticky
September 28th, 2006, 20:26
Needs more power, period. Other than that, looking great. Maybe in 2009 they will make a RS10 with a TTV10 making 650hp/550lb Ft. Now that would be awesome.
Either way Kudos to Audi for having the cajones to builidng it.
Cant wait for the RS7 either.

Bajo
Agreed on the power.

What I am hoping though is that the car actually isn't far off the gallardos pace. Chances are the motor is making more power than 420 hp. Also, the gearing definitely has a chance to be much better than the gallardos. Perhaps the 420 hp was announced to keep the gallardo owners happy while the performance is right there?

Remember when mercedes gave the e55 a lower rating than the SL55 to appease the SL55 owners yet the E55 was faster? I am hoping something similar is going on.

On paper the performance doesn't look to good but lets hope it is slightly underated.

QuattroFun
September 28th, 2006, 20:55
I'm not sure what you are saying. When audi told us the power to weight was 3.71 bhp/kg they told us the weight. Using some math we get a weight of about 3400 lbs. The gallardo weighs 3500, so that puts the R8 at about 100 pounds lighter.


The pound system just confuses things especially when the US/UK importer overlay & interpretation also comes into play - both cars are European and Gallardo's claimed official dry weight is 1430kg vs. R8's 1560kg.

Of course, the R8 will not be faster (as in more accelerative) than the Gallardo - just look at the power-to-weight - although gearing is important and there could be differences in transmission loss. In fact, it will probably not be much faster than the RS4 in 0-200km/h with R8's 3.71 kg/PS playing against RS4's 3.93kg/PS (based on official, claimed numbers)...

Leadfoot
September 28th, 2006, 21:08
I know Erik, all I was meaning was that the M5/M6 owners out there will be feeling smug in the knowledge that their cars are quicker.

In a way the R8's real purpose is not acceleration or topspeed, these are things that Audi have been at the top in all sectors for sometime. And regardless of what BMW might say, handling and grip as well, but the R8 real purpose is to put Audi on the map with regards to entertainment. That feeling when you kiss the apex of the corner and feel the chassis and steering working the available grip. This is what the R8 is all about.

I'm going out on a limb here, but I reckon we are looking at the car that will finally put the nail in the coffin of the 911, the king of the everyday supercars, hail the new king.:king:

Anyway M5/M6 owner better keep quiet as what they are driving now is what they have been accusing Audis for years, poor handling and dull.:hihi:

Qisha
September 28th, 2006, 22:50
Chances are the motor is making more power than 420 hp. Also, the gearing definitely has a chance to be much better than the gallardos. Perhaps the 420 hp was announced to keep the gallardo owners happy while the performance is right there?

You counted right.

Dear Friends,

as Erik mentioned, i also say the real intention went into another direction. Personally i would recommend to judge after a test drive. Numbers are numbers and emotions are emotions.

MR USER
September 28th, 2006, 22:58
I got my test drive booked in today.... I feel I might have to betray my black RS4 for a silver R8....

By the way the car configurator on the german website works and it has the R8... Fully loaded is 130k euros...

Octanemia
September 29th, 2006, 15:19
Thank you Audi for making this GREAT car.
I think this V8 is good for this car, also can't wait for the V10.
For few months back there were rumors about competitors from MB and BMW, which are the P8 and the Z9 or Z10. I think MB can't price it below the SL, so they will price it a little bet below the Gallardo and F430 with similar performance to them. and from BMW im not sure they are going to use the mid-engine layout with the new M3 V8 or the V10 engine.
So this makes the R8 special in every aspect.

audi713
October 2nd, 2006, 03:06
My god its beautiful. That settles it, I'm buying it, turned out even better than the concept, and that NEVER happens.

Right? Its so perfect so beautiful :love: :cry: