Audi R8 (road car)

The Audi R8 is the first mid-engined sports car and was released by Audi in 2006. 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, which was a concept car at the 2003 Geneva Auto Show. The R8 was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. The R8 combines Audi's experience gained from numerous motorsport victories.

The Audi R8
When the Audi R8 was first introduced in 2007, many observers argued a more powerful motor might be needed to unlock the true potential of the car. Fast-forward a few years, and a considerably more powerful R8 is a reality.

Engine
Powered by a Lamborghini-sourced V10, the latest R8 sends 525 horsepower to all four wheels thanks to a sophisticated quattro all-wheel-drive system. The car was introduced to the public at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Though sporting two more cylinders and a little more grunt mid-ship, V10-powered R8 doesn't feature too many visual differences from its V8 sibling.

Power
More air is fed to the ten-cylinder through larger side scoops, which jut out sharply from the body-side, adding a more aggressive stance to go with its increased power. The lower side sill also get an extra flare which runs along the wheelbase, adding further visual cues that this is the true uber-Audi. The changes are subtle enough to be obvious only to those in-the-know, thus keeping the R8's clean lines as uncluttered as possible.

However, some subtle changes from the standard R8 will include dual oval exhaust outlets, bigger side air intakes, a revised front and rear fascias and larger brakes. The V10 version also sports unique LED headlights and a rear diffuser.

Prior to the car's launch, rumors were swirling that Audi would name the V10-powered R8 the R10 or RS8, but the more technical "5.2 FSI" designation was used.

Speed
The V10 is the same 5.2L FSI powerplant found in the new Lamborghini LP560-4, albeit detuned to 525 horsepower and 390 pound-feet or torque to keep the R8 out of the Gallardo's territory. But despite being down a bit on grunt, the R8 V10 can still rocket from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 196 mph.

Awards

 * The R8 was awarded Best Handling Car and Fastest Car In The World of 2007 by Autocar magazine.
 * It was awarded SportsCar of the year by German magazine Autobild.
 * Playboy magazine awarded it Car of The Year for 2008.
 * The Automobile Journalists Association of Canada (AJAC) named the R8 Canadian Car of the Year, and, in addition, gave it the Best New Prestige Car and Best New Design awards for model year 2008.
 * Top Gear named the Audi R8 the 2007 Car of the Year.
 * Fifth Gear named the R8 both the Best fast car and the Car of the Year 2007.
 * Automobile Magazine awarded the R8 the 2008 Automobile of the Year.
 * The Audi R8 was named 2008 "MSN Car of the Year", with 42% of the votes, beating the Ferrari F430 into 2nd with 13%, and the BMW M3 into 3rd with 11%.
 * The JB car pages awarded the Audi R8 its maximum rating of 5 stars.
 * In the 2008 World Car of the Year awards, the R8 was awarded World Performance Car of the Year and World Design Car of the Year.
 * European Car magazine rated the R8 as Car of the Year.
 * Motor Klassik readers named the Audi R8 the "Classic Car of the Future 2009" in the Sports Car category.