(from
Audi Press Release)
Audi R8
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.
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 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.
The drive trainTurbine-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 chassisThe 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.
Equipment and trimEven 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.
The equipment specifications, data and prices stated here refer to the model range offered for sale in Germany. Subject to amendment; errors and omissions excepted.
© Source:
article on seriouswheels.com
The Lumma Design CLR 500 RS is based on the BMW M5, and features:
The exterior
Audi said TT roadsters will go on sale in May. The TT roadster 2.0T will start at $37,520, including shipping, and 3.2 Quattro roadsters will start at $45,220.
The $2 million price paid for the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe is thought to make it the most expensive new car ever sold in the US.
The German Audi tuner tweaks the TT model range, topping the lineup with a 355-horsepower TT-R equipped with a VR6 3.2-liter engine that accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 5.1 seconds, versus 5.9 seconds for the standard model. Even the TT with the base 2.0 TFSI engine gets a boost to 270 hp, with maximum torque of 258 pound-feet. The standard model produces 200 hp and 207 lb-ft.
The cars will be offered with a two-tone livery in a combination of classic Ferrari colours as used on some of the Prancing Horse's most memorable models. The interior appointments will feature sophisticated colour combinations and a stunning new-generation electrochromic glass roof, itself a major innovation. The degree of opacity of the roof, in fact, can be adjusted to suit the occupants' requirements.
Longbridge will produce right-hand-drive TF sports cars, but production for left-hand-drive models will be in Pukou, China, where MG owner Nanjing has its factory.
The California company says the electric prototype is currently under development with partners at 3rd Millennium Energy and Dynatrac. Pricing is not yet available on the future electric Icon.
Around 1500 of Porsche's prestige product, the Carrera GT, have been built, all of which have now been sold. Owners worried about the individuality of their vehicle, in spite of its rareness, would be well-advised to make an appointment with GEMBALLA. Thanks to its expertise, as the only Porsche tuner GEMBALLA has comprehensively modified the high-tech car from Weissach, while at the same time adding an individual touch. In addition, performance addicts can obtain even more of what they want. The spectacular end product answers to the name of GEMBALLA Mirage GT and outshines its production-line counterpart in every respect.
The limited-edition model — only 150 are being made — outstrips the peak performance of the current SLR model. The SLR 722 Edition is powered by a 5.5-liter supercharged V8 that is assembled by hand at the Mercedes-AMG engine workshops in Affalterbach, Germany. The engine is mated to a five-speed automatic transmission which the company says was developed in-house.
Each of the 60 cars will be linked to a specific event in Ferrari's history and feature an enamel plaque on the cabin's central tunnel to distinguish them.
Included in this collection is one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, two side vents with STRUT shield, and one STRUT lift gate shield.
Included in the Munich Collection is one woven crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached, one lower air intake vent with STRUT shield attached, two crimped mesh hood vents and one STRUT trunk shield.
The collection features one crimped mesh front grille with STRUT shield attached. One crimped mesh Lower Air Intake vent and STRUT lift gate shield.
That's the asking price Ford wants - or more accurately desperately needs - for its flagship sporting brand.
Winners of the contest will get the use of a 2007 VW Touareg V10 TDI for six months. The company says it anticipates that the oldest running VW diesel will likely be a Rabbit, circa 1977, since 12,393 such vehicles were sold that year.
Designed to give the car a more bold and distinct appearance - or so they say - the pack comprises front and rear valances, a couple of new grills and fresh tailpipe finishers.
The long hood seems ready to host all the best engines from BMW, up to the V10 of the M5 and above (or so Leftlane says). We are curious about what it'll be like to drive a light and low-slung roadster with that kind of engine.
Hackenburg told the Netherlands auto magazine Autovisie that the Shooting Brake would only eat market share for the TT coupe. The two cars use the same platform, although the Shooting Brake's wheelbase is 2 inches longer than the TT coupe's.
History of the TTS
Built to commemorate the launch of Renault's latest F1 car, this Clio comes with the same 197bhp 2.0-litre engine as the normal Renaultsport Clio, but stiffer, lower suspension is borrowed from the Cup race car and there are 17in alloy wheels finished a fetching anthracite colour scheme.
What is different from the standard A3 3.2 S-line?
As with the coupe and saloon siblings, the main differences with the normal 3-Series Cabrio are in the front (spoiler, grille, air intakes), the hood, with the hump for the big 4.0-liter V8 (more than 400 ps), the side, with the muscular wheel arches and the 4 exhaust tubes in the back.
