The Audi R8

Audi is entering the most discerning segment of the car market with its R8 mid-engine sports car – and immediately taking up a position among the leaders: equipped with the expertise that Audi has gathered from its involvement in motor sport and from building sporty premium-class cars, the R8 is the embodiment of superlative road behaviour, pioneering technology and fascinating design. The 420 bhp V8 FSI engine, quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the aluminium space-frame body endow the R8 with outstanding qualities to challenge for leadership of this segment, as do its excellent everyday suitability and Audi's typical standards of perfection in quality and finish. The basic price is EUR 104,400, (104,400 Euro(s) = $142,021 US Dollar(s) Currency Converter Results from May 07, 2007) and deliveries will commence in the second quarter of 2007.

Following on from rally success with the revolutionary Audi quattro and the triumphs of its touring car, Audi has added another chapter to the history of motor sport with the R8 racing car: with five wins to its name in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the R8 is the most successful model ever to have competed on the legendary circuit at Le Mans. In a total of 79 starts at venues all over the world, this exceptional athlete has emerged victorious on a total of 62 occasions.

The genes of the winner

The repeat winner was thus the ideal role model for the new production sports car. The genes of the triumphant racing car were also passed on to the passenger car – which admittedly feels distinctly at home on the racetrack, too – in the model designation R8. The mid-engine concept is as integral to this genetic stock as the high-revving V8 engine with FSI petrol direct injection and the sequential gearbox with steering-wheel control. Whereas the use of quattro permanent four-wheel drive was prohibited on the racing version, the new R8 can of course now be equipped with it, for superior road behaviour and safety in all conditions.

There are even design parallels – not just in functional terms – in the way it cuts its way supremely through the air even at very high speeds. The same design team that had previously styled the racing car was given the task of styling the R8 roadgoing sports car. The striking wing structure of the Le Mans version did, however, have to be abandoned. After all, the roadgoing version was meant to express its sports qualities through a typically Audi quality of elegant styling.

With power and elegance

The wide, full shape of the R8 seems to hug the road. It demonstrates its potential through its imposing proportions, accentuated wheel arches and substantial air apertures. It is like no other Audi before it – with the unmistakable proportions of a mid-engine car. These proportions are dictated by the forward position of the cabin and the clearly separate engine compartment behind it. A characteristic feature of the side view of the R8 is the "sideblade", which visually accentuates the engine's position as well as acting as an air deflector.

And yet the R8 is undeniably first and foremost an Audi, not just because of the characteristic single-frame grille at its front end. For the first time, the four rings are positioned not over the grille, but on the lid above it. The sparing but always very precise use of lines is another typical Audi characteristic, as is the curved arc of the roof. And the continuous line running from the front apron across the wheel arches and flanks to the tail end, then back down the other side, is significant for the brand. This "loop" naturally encompasses the air apertures, the headlights and the rear lights.


Unmistakable face by day and night

The passion expressed through the elaborate design of the lights is another typical Audi trait. The R8 already acquires an unmistakable frontal aspect through the standard bi-xenon headlights and daytime running lights comprising twelve light-emitting diodes – day and night alike. Nor is anyone likely to overlook this Audi sports car from behind: for the very first time, LED tail lights with a three-dimensional effect have successfully been used.

But the absolute highlight will be the all-LED headlights, available for the Audi R8 as an option from the end of 2007, and making their first ever appearance worldwide on a production car. With their lenses and reflectors, these innovative light sources not only look progressive; they also have an enormous functional advantage: with its colour temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, LED light resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light. Drivers will consequently suffer much less fatigue when driving at night.

The interior offers a luxurious standard of motor racing atmosphere. Its design is as sporty and exclusively as the exterior: the characteristic element here is the monoposto – an expansive arc running around the steering wheel and instruments, connecting the driver to the car. The interior consequently picks up on the dynamism of the R8 and gives it tactile expression in a form that is accessible the moment you climb in.

Exceptionally spacious

For a sports car, the exceptional everyday suitability of the R8 is highlighted by the large amount of space, due in no small measure to the generous wheelbase of 2.65 metres. Whatever the build of the driver and passenger, they will always be able to find their perfect seated position. The view is also very good for a mid-engine vehicle. Narrow A-posts optimise the field of view to the front and sides.

The luggage compartment is an important aspect of everyday suitability: 100 litres fit beneath the front lid, and there is room for bags with a total volume of a further 90 litres behind the seats. And even passionate golfers need not forgo their sport when driving the R8: two full-size golf bags can be stowed behind the seats.

The impression of quality in the interior is striking: even in the basic specification, the surfaces of the driving area and door trims are meticulously trimmed, with neatly finished decorative seams. And the scope for customisation is as diverse as the preferences of the R8's future owners could conceivably be: piano finish, carbon fibre and a wide variety of leathers are just some of the options.

Light but highly rigid body

The body of a sports car needs to be particularly light and rigid: low weight permits superior road performance, and rigidity is the crucial starting point for an agile driving feel allied to high precision. The Audi Space Frame body, made from aluminium, provides the ideal basis for this. Audi has more expertise than any other manufacturer worldwide in the designing and production of cars based on aluminium technology, and has channelled its accumulated know-how into the R8.

The entire bodyshell of the R8 weighs just 210 kilograms, the pinnacle of achievement among sports cars in terms of lightweight design quality. It comprises extruded sections, aluminium panels and highly complex cast nodes, joined together by 99 metres of weld seams, 782 punch rivets and 382 self-tapping screws.

Superlative precision in the production shop

This structure is created largely by hand at the R8 production shop in Neckarsulm, but with precision measuring and machining methods keeping a watchful eye over the whole business: a laser measuring system checks 220 points on each body to within one-tenth of a millimetre, and a special computer tomograph can investigate the absolute quality of every join with micron precision. A central processing plant cuts and drills all 52 connecting points on the running gear and steering in a single pass. This assures maximum precision in the axle geometry.

The aerodynamics experts at Audi have done their work so thoroughly on the R8 that, as an added benefit of its elegant shape, the body actually produces a downforce – unlike many other sports cars. This promotes directional stability at high speeds. It is achieved by means of the extending rear spoiler, but above all thanks to the fully clad diffuser underbody.

Enormous propulsive power across wide speed range

The heart of the sports car is of course the engine. As well as being exceptionally compact, the eight-cylinder power unit of the R8 runs lustily and effortlessly up to very high engine speeds, peaking at 8,250 rpm. The reward is 420 bhp and an even buildup of torque that produces enormous propulsion across a wide range of engine speeds. The engine's dry sump lubrication, typical of a race engine, permits a particularly low installed location and assures a constant oil supply in even the toughest of driving conditions – for instance on a racetrack. And the FSI direct injection underpins the very good full-load performance with a highly efficient combustion process.

The road performance is correspondingly impressive: the R8 dashes from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds, whether with manual gearbox or with R tronic sequential gearshifting. The needle hits 200 km/h after only 14.9 seconds, and the engine's propulsion is only finally held in check by rolling resistance and drag at 301 km/h. (187.0414 miles/hr)

However, the captivating character of the V8 stems not just from its effortless propulsion, but equally from its ample, versatile sound characteristics. Thanks to ingenious fine-tuning measures, Audi's engineers isolated disagreeable frequencies and then orchestrated an impressive opus from the intake and exhaust sound.

Lightning start thanks to Launch Control

The R8's transmission comes with six well-spaced ratios that can be operated either manually, in conjunction with the clutch, or automatically via the R tronic. The R tronic is an entirely new development that operates faster than even the most adept of drivers and offers racing-style thrills with the shift paddles on the steering wheel. The R tronic accomplishes lightning-fast starts worthy of the racetrack thanks to Launch Control.

The quattro permanent four-wheel drive provides that decisive extra dose of traction and driving safety. The system was adapted to the mid-engine concept, with its ideal axle load distribution of 44:56 percent, and directs between 10 and 35 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels as necessary.

Precision suspension provides safety boost

The precision suspension of the Audi R8 remains supremely in control of the sporty performance, but is equally capable of assuring relaxed driving pleasure over long distances. The sports car obeys steering movements with spontaneous agility, always demonstrating exceptionally good driving safety. The suspension, with double wishbones at both the front and rear, is optimised for a neutral self-steering response and maximum ease of control.

A particularly innovative damping technology is available for the R8 as an option: Audi magnetic ride adapts the suspension characteristic to the profile of the road and the driver's style within milliseconds. A generously-dimensioned brake system supplies the necessary braking force. It applies a total of 24 pistons to the four studded brake discs. This braking performance can only be topped by the optional ceramic discs. They are even capable of withstanding the rigours of racing-style use.

Exclusive standard equipment

The Audi R8 combines its superior performance with both a surprising measure of everyday suitability and an exclusive equipment specification. It comes ready-equipped for example with a 140 watt audio system, an alarm system, deluxe automatic air conditioning and the driver information system with integral stopwatch for taking lap times. The sports seats are trimmed in combined Alcantara/Leather and the 18-inch wheels are fitted on cast alloy wheels.

The list of optional extras nevertheless includes a couple more highlights: for example, the wide range of customisation options, the Audi parking system advanced with integral rearview camera, and the superb Bang & Olufsen sound system. Surround sound from twelve high-end speakers with a 465 watt music output delivers an exceptional music experience.

The equipment, data and prices stated here refer to the model range offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.

The interior

A sports car with unique personality

Sheer sports racing atmosphere in the cockpit, with perfect command over the vehicle – but coupled with spontaneous well-being and ease of operation. Also spacious and comfortable enough for a lengthy journey – allying sophistication with an impression of sheer quality. In the case of the Audi R8 these are not opposites, but different facets of a unique, unbeatably personable sports car.

The Audi R8 reveals one of its most surprising aspects the moment the door is opened, because a mere glance suffices to identify an interior that differs fundamentally from all other sports cars by virtue of its dynamic design.

The central element of the cockpit's design is the monoposto, providing a visual echo of the world of motor racing. The monoposto is a vast arc that envelops the driver, frames the steering wheel and visually connects all displays and controls. It provides the driver with a tailor-made command centre, as in a racing car. Never before has driver-oriented architecture been applied as systematically.


Diverse customisation options

The instruments together with their cowl are embedded in the monoposto; the monitor of the radio and navigation system with the MMI operating system and the controls for the automatic air conditioning are located to one side. This marks the transition between the monoposto and the high centre tunnel with the gear lever. The latter is extremely short, but is guided precisely through its stainless steel gate. Alternatively there is the selector lever of the R tronic sequential sports transmission. On the opposite side, the monoposto continues into the door, with the door handle an extension of the frame.

The monoposto forms part of the diverse range of customisation options for the R8: as the basis it – together with the door handle and sections of the centre tunnel – can be supplied as an exclusive version in genuine Piano finish black.

Carbon fibre is the alternative for that authentic motor sport look: in this instance, the components are made from genuine carbon fibre.

The steering wheel: Nappa leather over a magnesium core

The three-spoke sports steering wheel of course remains the focal point of the car's controls. With a diameter of 365 mm, it is both sportily compact and ergonomic in shape. The steering wheel rim has a flat lower edge. This is a further aspect of sports racing atmosphere in the Audi R8, but also brings major functional benefits, facilitating entry and exit for the driver. The steering wheel is trimmed in Fine Nappa leather, with a die-cast magnesium core providing strength. Other options include operation of the radio and telephone via the steering wheel and the R tronic shift paddles behind the steering wheel.

Concentrating on the essentials was the priority in the ergonomic arrangement of the R8. The most important criterion – particularly for high-speed driving – is short reach distances for all controls, to keep the time that there is only one hand on the steering wheel to an absolute minimum. In typical Audi fashion the monitor is well within the field of view, and the elements of the MMI operating system are located directly beneath it.

Lap timer for the laps on the racetrack

The instruments have an elegantly sporty design and can be read with precision. In addition to the analogue speedometer, the speed is displayed digitally in the driver information system display between the instrument dials. As well as the instructions from the navigation system and the cruise control settings, all comfort and convenience functions can be personalised here. Examples include the coming home function for the lighting – including the engine compartment lighting – and the brightness of the footwell illumination.

There is one particular function in the driver information system to assist the driver if they want to probe the true potential of the Audi R8 on the racetrack: the lap timer. The on-board computer then processes the readings and displays the fastest, slowest and average lap times.

A perfect fit for all

The basis for that feel-good experience on board the Audi R8 is the sports car's dimensional concept. Because from the very moment the designers put pen to paper, it was clear that the R8 had to provide an exceptional amount of space for a high-performance sports car. The long wheelbase of 2,650 mm serves as the starting point. It permits a good interior length, an optimum range of adjustment for the seats, space for luggage behind the seats and, finally, even a spacious footwell. The shoulder width of 1,390 mm is another measure of the R8's spaciousness.

Whether for a tour over Alpine passes, a longer business trip or just for a few small errands, with 100 litres of luggage capacity beneath the front lid and a further 90 litres behind the seats (60 when loaded up to window level) the R8 is well equipped even for the requirements of everyday use. The tailor-made luggage set from quattro GmbH, with cases and bags in leather and carbon fibre, is a particularly exclusive feature here.

Even golfers need not forgo their R8 as a means of getting to the course: the storage space behind the seats is large enough to accommodate two golf bags.

The equipment, data and prices stated here refer to the model range offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.

The Audi R8 at a glance

Audi R8 4.2 FSI:

Engine: displacement 4,163 cc, power output 309 kW (420 bhp) at 7,800 rpm, maximum torque 430 Nm between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm. Performance and consumption: 0 – 100 km/h in 4.6 s, top speed 301 km/h, (187.0414 miles/hr) consumption (combined) 13.6 litres of Super Plus fuel per 100 km.