RE: Audi R8 is go!
Friday 18th November 2005
610bhp Audi R8Audi is to build the Le Mans quattro concept it unveiled in 2003, according to reports. To be called the R8 -- the same as the incredibly successful Le Mans racing car -- the car starts production towards the end of 2006, and is to appear in showrooms in mid-2007.
Audi R8 is go!
610bhp Le Mans concept arrives on-planet in 2007
610bhp Audi R8
A mid-engined two-seater, it'll be propelled by a five-litre V10 bi-turbo engine with FSI direct fuel injection, developing 610bhp at 6,800 rpm and 553lb-ft of torque availble from as low as 1,750rpm. Performance is likely to be in the region of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds and to 125mph 10.8 seconds.
Audi's subsidiary quattro GmbH will build it using lightweight components at its Neckarslum plant. Audi is relying on intelligent lightweight design for its R8, a core area of expertise at the plant; the Audi A2, A6 and A8 were all developed there using lightweight design technology.
Discussion
Isn't this going to take sales away from Lamborghini ??? especially if it, and probably will be priced less than the Gallardo.
Why do manufacturers who buy sporty marks try there best to compete with there own sister companies. They made the Lamborghini brand more accessable with the intruduction of the Gallardo, now they want to compete against it. Strange.
Why do manufacturers who buy sporty marks try there best to compete with there own sister companies. They made the Lamborghini brand more accessable with the intruduction of the Gallardo, now they want to compete against it. Strange.
wab172uk said:
Why do manufacturers who buy sporty marks try there best to compete with there own sister companies. They made the Lamborghini brand more accessable with the intruduction of the Gallardo, now they want to compete against it. Strange.
People who want a Lambo will still buy one because of the badge attached to it, just like people will buy a Golf GTI over an Octavia vRS - very similar cars but with a different look, feel and image.
Hendry said:
Where did those engine stats come from? I have only seen suggestions it will get the 4.2 V8 from the RS4 (maybe in RS6 state of tune too) and the detuned V10 from the S8, which would seem logical. Sticking the Gallardo engine tuned to 610bhp would clash surely with the Lambo.
www.autoweek.nl/newsimages.php?ID=4210&p=1&d=&ref=
Audi LeMans -> Audi R8 with 610 horse Lambo V10 . . . djeees, they drop that mill in cars . . .
www.autoblog.com/entry/1234000597068059/
www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103618
Audi announced Tuesday that the production version of the stunning Le Mans quattro concept car (pictured) will be called the Audi R8, after the all-conquering Le Mans prototype racecar.
The new R8 will be built at Audi Neckarslum plant under the direction of its subsidiary quattro GmbH. The factory houses Audi Aluminum Centre, and specializes in lightweight design technologies. Production is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2006, with market availability in early 2007.
[Source: Audi]
www.autowereld.com/nieuwsbericht.asp?artikel=2856
Quick translation: Audi heeft de knoop doorgehakt en gaat de Le Mans Quattro in productie nemen. Het model zal de naam R8 gaan dragen en wordt aangedreven door een 610 pk sterke V10. De R8 sprint in slechts 3,7 seconden naar 100 km/h.
. . . driven by a 610 hp V10, R8 0-60 in 3.7 . . . eat your heart out.
I think its the best looking Audi I have seen, and with that looks and powerrr its gona steel some hearts
Only things for now are the airbag looks on the steering wheel, and the big 4 audi rings on the steering wheel and front of the car, I know its the mark/sign of their cars, but I don't like it when its too big! hopefully the change that, they've got some better signs in their own house...
>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 18th November 13:03
Only things for now are the airbag looks on the steering wheel, and the big 4 audi rings on the steering wheel and front of the car, I know its the mark/sign of their cars, but I don't like it when its too big! hopefully the change that, they've got some better signs in their own house...
>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 18th November 13:03
GTRene said:
I think its the best looking Audi I have seen, and with that looks and powerrr its gona steel some hearts
Only things for now are the airbag looks on the steering wheel, and the big 4 audi rings on the steering wheel and front of the car, I know its the mark/sign of their cars, but I don't like it when its too big! hopefully the change that, they've got some better signs in their own house...
>> Edited by GTRene on Friday 18th November 13:03
I don't like the dust caps either!!
Cotty said:Prolly need all the holes they can get in the front for intercoolers, brake ducting, air intake, radiator etc etc.
I dont like the black grills under the lights, couldnt they have left them open like the iRobot car
Doh ! Mid engined - got plently of holes at the side. Dunno - maybe they need more in the front and lots of pipes?
>> Edited by tybalt on Friday 18th November 15:37
This is the best bit of news to come all week. I saw the Audi LeMans concept car in Detroit back in 2004, and it was my favourite concept car at the show. The interior was simply brilliant. The guy from Audi even back then mentioned 610 hp, however he was suggesting it would probably go into production with a street tuned version of the R8 race cars twin turbo V8. Slapping two turbos to the Lambo V10 is not a bad idea either. This will surely be a true enthusiasts car, a person who wants performance above any badge. I can't wait to see the full production version. Moreso, I can't wait to drive it 
Just got in touch with my local dealer - put my name down - they are officially taking deposits. Yeah, it will probably be put back, but by then I should be looking to change the much delayed RS4.
His comments in full below - one odd thing though - they are calling it the R9, not R8.
Ta, Mark
The car you are looking for is the R9 (prototype name Le Mans), General spec is expected to be:
Aluminium 2 seat Space Frame chassis & body, quattro drive train with 4.2 FSi V8 & 5.0 Bi Turbo FSi V10 engines. The R9 is based around the Lamborghini chassis built by Audi at our Nekarsulm factory. The car is to be pitched directly at Porsche 911, Ferrari 430 bracket. Prices expected to start at around £68k for the 4.2 quattro. Customer delivery expected early 2007.
The official order book is open for the R9.
His comments in full below - one odd thing though - they are calling it the R9, not R8.
Ta, Mark
The car you are looking for is the R9 (prototype name Le Mans), General spec is expected to be:
Aluminium 2 seat Space Frame chassis & body, quattro drive train with 4.2 FSi V8 & 5.0 Bi Turbo FSi V10 engines. The R9 is based around the Lamborghini chassis built by Audi at our Nekarsulm factory. The car is to be pitched directly at Porsche 911, Ferrari 430 bracket. Prices expected to start at around £68k for the 4.2 quattro. Customer delivery expected early 2007.
The official order book is open for the R9.
Bradders, how much deposit did you have to put down? If you don't mind me asking?
The problem as I see is that it will be pitched against all variants of the 911 ie C2 to turbo. As such it will be compared to this benchmark, all other cars fail this test. TG last week and just about every car rag confirms this. Porsche have had 40 years to get the 911 right, this is Audis firstattempt, and they are hardly famous for making 'drivers' cars.
As a consequance of not being as good as a 911, demand will actually be low and resale poor. Don't get me wrong I'd love it to be better(or as good as) a Porsche, but no one else has managed it, AMV8 included
The problem as I see is that it will be pitched against all variants of the 911 ie C2 to turbo. As such it will be compared to this benchmark, all other cars fail this test. TG last week and just about every car rag confirms this. Porsche have had 40 years to get the 911 right, this is Audis firstattempt, and they are hardly famous for making 'drivers' cars.
As a consequance of not being as good as a 911, demand will actually be low and resale poor. Don't get me wrong I'd love it to be better(or as good as) a Porsche, but no one else has managed it, AMV8 included
Deep said:
As a consequance of not being as good as a 911, demand will actually be low and resale poor. Don't get me wrong I'd love it to be better(or as good as) a Porsche, but no one else has managed it, AMV8 included
depends on your definition of 'good'. doesnt really matter how much of a drivers car the 911 is, assuming its roughly 15-1600kg those stats will simply pulverise a £68k 997. however i hope you're right about the resale values; would be nice to pick up a lightweight mucialago without the £110,000 badge.
The deposit is £2K. Enough to prove you are seriously interested, but not the end of the world if you change your mind when it arrives and people begin to rate it.
Took the same risk with the RS4, after seeing it at Le Mans this summer (2K deposit) - some journo's seem to like it, others think it's too expensive compared to the M3. Top Gear tomorrow should be interesting to see how it sways public opinion - Clarkson has already given it a pretty good thumbs up in the Sunday Times. Can't wait to get it.
Cheers, Mark
Took the same risk with the RS4, after seeing it at Le Mans this summer (2K deposit) - some journo's seem to like it, others think it's too expensive compared to the M3. Top Gear tomorrow should be interesting to see how it sways public opinion - Clarkson has already given it a pretty good thumbs up in the Sunday Times. Can't wait to get it.
Cheers, Mark
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