Audi R8 (Road Car)

The Audi R8 is a mid-engined sports car released by the German automaker 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 Quattro concept car, which appeared 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. Originally, many thought the car would be called the R9 (as there is a gap in numbering left when Audi announced the R8's successor, the diesel-powered R10).

See Wikicars' comprehensive Audi R8 Review.

Recent Changes

 * On May 1, 2010, Audi unveiled a lighter, faster, more powerful hardcore version of the R8 called the R8 GT. The 5.2-liter V10 now squeezes out 560 PS while loosing 100kg. This means 0-60 in in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 320 km/h or 199mph.

Styles and Major Options

 * In mid January this year, Audi released images and specifications of a concept R8 which featured a V12 diesel engine. It has been confirmed that the car will be put into production, although the body styling will be altered to suit a production vehicle.

Pricing
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Gas Mileage
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As seen on the FuelEconomy.gov website, the City/Highway MPG averages are as follows:

Engine
The Audi R8 will be available with a 4.2 L V8 making 420 hp, as seen in the Audi RS4. Pricing for the 420 bhp model starts from €104,400 or £77,000 (Approx. $140,000 USD). The R8 has a dry weight of 1560 kg (3439 lb). A 0-100 km/h (0-60 mph) time of about 4.2 seconds is possible with a top speed of about 187 mph(301 km/h).

Future upgrades
A second, more powerful engine variant that uses a 520-hp 5.2 L V10, a enlargened version of the Lamborghini Gallardo's engine and already seen in the Audi S8, is rumoured but not confirmed by Audi. Audi is currently in the process of developing a new turbocharged 5.2 L V10 engine for the future Audi RS6, and there is a possibility that this engine will make its way into the R8, dependent on marketing decisions. Test mules of this vehicle are developing well in excess of 600 bhp with the turbocharged 5.2 L V10. If this were to happen it is almost certain that this would create an RS8.

According to some sources the 6.0 liter V12 TDI diesel engine from Audi Q7 has been confirmed to Audi R8 as well. This would make Audi R8 by far the fastest diesel powered car in the world with 0 - 100 km/h acceleration in less than 4 seconds.

Performance
The 2-seat coupe is already available in Europe, and will be made available to the USA in the summer of 2008. In addition, an open-top roadster, Porsche Carrera GT-like model is rumoured to follow in 2009.

Many publications were hailing it as the first car to truly be able to beat Porsche - considered by many to be one of the best supercars ever made, and the leader in its class. Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine in its comparison test between the R8, 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6 have claimed that the Audi is a better supercar saying that "Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today." Other publications have also made similar reviews of the Audi beating the Porsche in comparison tests. The Porsche Carrera 4S, however, costs about $20,000 less in the U.S.

Top speed: 301 km/h (187 mph)

0-60 mph (96 km/h): 4.0 seconds

0-100 mph (160 km/h): 10.1 seconds

1/4 mile (~400 m): 12.5 seconds @ 113.2 mph (182.2 km/h)

Engine Type: V8

Displacement: 4.2 L (4163 cc)

Power: 414 bhp (309 kW) @ 7,800 rpm

Lateral Acceleration is offered in.

Main Competitors
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Hybrid Models
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Unique Attributes
The Audi R8 shares its basic layout, transmissions, all-wheel drive, a few components, and a modified version of its aluminum space frame architecture with the Lamborghini Gallardo. Although, the majority of the car (about 85%) was developed by Audi and their in-house tuner Quattro GmbH, providing for a markedly different character than the Gallardo.

Interior
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Resale Values
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Criticisms
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Generations
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Worldwide
Other than Europe, the R8 is available in the USA and Australia.

Design quirks and oddities

 * The Audi R8 features prominently as Tony Stark's (played by Robert Downey Jr.) main vehicle in the 2008 blockbuster Iron Man.

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, awarded it Best Prestige Car and Most Coveted Car of 2008.
 * Top Gear Magazine named the Audi R8 the 2007 Car of the Year.
 * 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 430 into 2nd with 13%, and the BMW M3 into 3rd with 11%.
 * 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.