Audi R8

The Audi R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater super car, which uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006.

The car is exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, Quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built using space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.

In 2005, Audi announced 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 (designed by Frank Lamberty and Julian Hoenig), appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 development program began in 2004, Lamberty's design being approved and frozen for production. Production body prototypes began field testing in January 2006. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today". It is also the first production car with full-LED headlamps.

Audi Le Mans quattro (2003)

Audi Le Mans quattro is a coupe with Jet Blue body colour, front curve of the front wings from Audi TT and Audi Nuvolari quattro GT, 20-inch wheels, V10 FSI engine with two turbochargers rated 610 PS (449 kW; 602 hp) and 750 N·m (553.17 lb·ft), single-frame radiator grille, aluminium sports suspension with magnetic ride shock absorbers, dark interior colours, vehicle body made of aluminium and carbon fibre,as well as the wing mirrors designed by S .Arbin, interior made of aluminium, rubber and leather. The vehicle was unveiled in 2003 IAA in Frankfurt.

R8 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro (2007-2012)

The Audi R8 was initially equipped with a 4.2 litre V8 engine. Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy 32-valve (four valves per cylinder) petrol engine, utilizing Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and has a displacement of 4,163 cubic centimetres (254.0 cu in). It develops a motive power output of 420 metric horsepower (309 kW; 414 bhp) (Directive 80/1269/EEC), and generates 430 newton metres (317 lbf·ft) of torque, on 98 RON 'Super Unleaded' petrol. It is basically the same engine used in the Audi B7 RS4, but is modified to use a dry sump lubrication system. It uses two chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank, and utilizes variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust camshafts. The 4 wheel drive system is biased towards the rear; it sends 30% of its power to the front wheels and 70% to the rear.

R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro (2009-2012)

Audi AG unveiled the Audi R8 V10 on 8 December 2008. It uses a 5.2 litre FSI engine, based on the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (which in turn was based on the 5.2 FSI V10 as used in the Audi C6 S6 and Audi D3 S8), but is re-tuned to produce a power output of 532 metric horsepower (391 kW; 525 bhp), and generate 530 newton metres (391 lbf·ft) of torque. Compared to the V8 variant, the R8 V10's performance numbers are enhanced. Audi states the new 0 to 100 kilometres per hour (0.0 to 62.1 mph) time as only 3.9 seconds, 60 to 124 miles per hour (97 to 200 km/h) in 8.1 seconds, and a top speed of 316 kilometres per hour (196.4 mph). Other changes to the V10 version of the R8 include some aesthetic differences: such as all-LED headlights (a world-first), interior enhancements such as Bang & Olufsen 465 watt sound system, and a more aggressive body styling, larger rear brakes and different wheels.

R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro (2010-2012)

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 "Spider" from filming scenes of the movie Iron Man 2 were published online. The photos showed a clearly visible "soft-top" roof, and the distinctive "sideblade" had been removed. The vehicle was formally unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Compared with the coupé 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 filler. It will be powered by the uneven firing 5.2 FSI V10 engine. German model launch began in first quarter of 2010, with sales started in the coming days. UK model was sold for £111,955 OTR (manual) and £117,155 OTR (R tronic).

R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro (2011-2012)

On July 1, 2011 Autocar reported that Audi has made the 4.2 FSI V8 engine available on the R8 Spyder, alongside the 5.2L engine initially fitted. The 434 PS (319 kW; 428 bhp) (up 14 bhp on coupé), 430 newton metres (317 lbf·ft) unit now completes the R8 Spyder range alongside the launch V10 powerplant. It has a 0-62 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 4.8 seconds and will go on to reach a top speed of 185 mph (299 km/h). Like the V10 model, the V8 Spyder features an aluminium spaceframe with carbon composites and an automatic retractable folding cloth roof.

R8 V10 China Edition (2013)

Audi decided to build an R8 V10 China Edition specifically to establish themselves and gain some footing in the world’s largest auto market. The car is limited to only 80 units and comes in a choice of two colors: Malibu Blue Body/Suzuka Grey Sideblades or the inverse Suzuka Grey Body/Malibu Blue Sideblades. Look at the photos and it’s easy to be enamored with the color choices Audi decided to use on the R8 China Edition. In addition to the color choices, the R8 China Edition also makes prevalent use of ultra-light and high-strength carbon fiber. Rounding out the modifications for the 80-unit R8 China Edition is a set of 19-inch, high-gloss black wheels in a 5 twin-spoke “Y” design, further stamping the uniqueness and exclusivity of this special-edition supercar. The entire cost of the R8 China Edition hits at 2,628,000 yuan, which is around $420,000 based on current exchange rates.

R8 Limited Edition

The vehicle was unveiled 2011 Guangzhou Auto Show. It is a limited (30 units) version of R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro for China market. It included Nordic gold body colour, front and rear air intakes/outlets and lightweight tailpipes are in matt black, front and rear slats and rear bumper (partially) in matt titanium grey; front spoiler, flics, sideblades, exterior mirrors, fixed rear wing, enlarged diffuser in carbon matt; radiator grille in matt black; radiator grille surround and bars in matt titanium grey, 19" wheels in 5 twin-spoke "Y" design in titanium look, aluminum gear knob with limited edition number from 1 up to 99 without number 4, 14 and 24; sports bucket seats in black Alcantara with contrasting stitching and piping in trim colour, headlining in Alcantara with contrasting stitching, knee pad in shark skin black with contrast stitching, centre console inlays and door trim inserts in body colour, monoposto and door pulls use inlays in carbon matt, doors and centre console are in body colour, instrument cluster with black dials and R8 emblem, door sill trims with aluminium insert and R8 logo, R tronic transmission.

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