|
Browse by Tags
All Tags » r8 ( RSS)
-
|
Filed under: Car Buying , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Plants/Manufacturing , Supercars , Audi Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi R8 Word has it there is an eight-month waiting list for the Audi R8 in the car's home market of Germany. Here in the good ol' U.S. of A., the 50 units we get per month are not nearly enough for all of the interested buyers. Well, with V10 , convertible and possibly diesel versions in the works, we can't imagine that demand will subside anytime soon. You might think that Audi would be smart to amp up production to handle the high demand, especially with those new versions coming soon, but that isn't gonna happen according to Audi. Seems they can only make 27 R8s a month day and no more. That should keep the R8 variations very scarce and very dear. For those lucky enough to have the coinage and a place in line, there is more news. Car and Driver talked to Michael Dick, Audi's member of the board of management for technical development...
|
-
|
Filed under: Coupes , Sports/GTs , Etc. , Japan , Marketing/Advertising , Supercars , Audi , Lifestyle The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong bought 13 Rolls-Royce Phantoms for shuttling guests around the city. The Peninsula Hotel in Tokyo has purchased just one car, and will leave the guest to drive himself. That car is an R8, finished in the hotel's trademark Brewster Green, with a gold Peninsula logo outside, and cognac leather inside. To avail yourself of it -- once you've gotten to Tokyo -- you'll need to book the Peninsula Suite, which goes for the ho-hum figure of ¥850,000 per night. That $8,000 U.S. every day to burble at single-digit speeds in Tokyo traffic, although you are allowed to take it outside of Tokyo. Come to think of it, the speeds probably don't matter -- if you have that kind of money, there's a good chance you've got an R8 or better in your own garage already... [Source: Asahi via German Car Blog ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Sports/GTs , Wagons/Estates , GM , Holden , Australia , HSV Click above for a hi-res gallery of the ClubSport R8 Tourer HSV's ClubSport R8 Tourer has officially arrived, giving our friends from Down Under the means to haul stuff, ass and any combination thereof as long as they part with $65K AUD. The super-duper Commodore SportWagon has got LS3 V8 power with 425 horses and 405 lb-ft of torque ready to transfer its rear tires to the ozone layer. To further underscore the undeniable awesomeness of this package, the standard gearbox is a six-speed manual. An automatic is available as an option, as are 20-inch wheels and a full-leather interior. Chances of us seeing this here? Essentially zero, since Pontiac is getting the Ute (G8 ST) instead of the wagon. That's just a shame. Sure, it's no Wagon Queen Family Truckster, but a hypothetical Pontiac G8 Safari GXP would deliver raucous fun for the whole family. Gallery: HSV ClubSport R8 Tourer [Source: HSV ] Read | Permalink...
|
-
|
Filed under: Motorsports , Sports/GTs , Euro , Audi Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 GT3 car The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has officially begun with the automaker's announcement that it has developed a GT3 version of the R8 sports car dubbed "R16" internally by its project overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 regulations prohibit AWD) features a six-speed sequential gearbox, mostly production-spec suspension components, plus an updated front end and a large rear wing designed to keep it planted to the tarmac. No additional tech specs have been revealed at this time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the wheel for the prototype's roll-out, and customer deliveries are expected to take place next fall. Look for the car to see wheel-to-wheel action against the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 during the 2009 European racing season. We patiently await its inclusion in a future Gran Turismo update so that...
|
-
|
Filed under: Coupes , Sports/GTs , Videos , Supercars , Audi Midnight Club: LA is on its way, and the developers at Rockstar Games just released a new video of an Audi R8 doing its thing through the concrete jungle. The name of the game: arcade. Or better names might be 'free-for-all' and 'pedestrians, watch out!' It's cut like an MTV video, so it's hard to get a feel for the flow of the action, but all you need to know is that there'll be plenty of it -- action, that is. And if nothing else, it does seem to accurately depict how actual R8 drivers tend to pilot their cars... Follow the jump for the video. [Source: Rockstar ] Continue reading VIDEO: Audi R8 puts angels in danger in Midnight Club: LA Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Spy Photos , Convertibles , Sports/GTs , Geneva Motor Show , Supercars , Audi After more than a year of speculation , and even a leaked sketch , we finally have our first spy shots confirming that Audi is developing an open-air version of its R8 supercar. And just to sweeten the deal, the test mule spied is all but completely undisguised. While nomenclature has yet to be confirmed - possibly using the Targa, Convertible, Cabrio, Roadster or Spider tags - the shots confirm that the convertible supercar will employ a fabric roof . Power is expected to carry over from the 420-hp FSI V8 coupe, but the presence of wider tailpipes on this test mule indicate that the highly-anticipated V10 is likely to appear in the roadster, as well. The car is expected to make its debut next March at the Geneva Motor Show show in Switzerland. [Source: NextAutos ] Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Videos , Audi Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Audi R8. A few of the Autoblog crew are former (or current) musicians that have tempered our insatiable lust for all-things-automotive with a healthy appreciation of the aural arts. So whenever an automaker attempts to combine the two, we're keenly interested in the outcome. Audi teamed up with the German group Bullet and the graphics and video crew at Campana to create an orchestral masterpiece to launch the R8 in Brazil. With 41 musicians, three DJs and one conductor providing the soundtrack, the video clips integrate with the score and sound effects to create an impressive experience. Our only gripe is that the first two videos aren't nearly long enough, but they're worth checking out after the jump. Gallery: 2008 Audi R8 Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Audi R8 [Source: GermanCarBlog ] Continue reading VIDEO: Audi's "The Art of Performance" Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Motorsports , Sports/GTs , Euro , Supercars , Audi Click for hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 DTM safety car Audi has announced that its superlative R8 sportscar will serve as the safety car for the ever-popular DTM touring car championship, having also served in the same capacity for the recently-concluded 24 Hours of Le Mans. Audi's performance division quattro GmbH prepared a pair of R8s for the German racing series - with the second serving as a "racing taxi" - but noted that, "because the R8 possesses the genes of a perfect sports car", little in the way of modification for duty was required. The pair of R8 support vehicles made its debut at the Norisring Speed Weekend yesterday, where Mercedes-Benz beat out the new Audi A4 DTM with a 1-2 finish. Follow the jump for the press release and click on the thumbnails below for our high-resolution image gallery. Gallery: Audi R8 DTM safety car [Source: Audi Motorsport] Continue reading Audi R8 debuts as DTM...
|
-
|
Filed under: Garage , Sports/GTs , Supercars , Audi Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2008 Audi R8 There's been considerable debate about whether the Audi R8 is a bona fide supercar, able to hang with the best and brightest from Maranello, Stuttgart and beyond. But power figures and price points don't tell the whole tale. What's been missing from most reviews is how Audi's midship masterpiece handles the rigors of daily duty. And that's what we wanted to find out. So no track tests, no slalom numbers, no skid pad hijinks -- just a comprehensive review to illustrate how the R8 deals with the day-to-day tasks its above-average owner will ask of it. But before all that, let's get one thing out of the way: it's absolutely breathtaking. Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Audi R8 Photos Copyright (C)2008 Brad Wood / Weblogs, Inc. Continue reading In the Autoblog Garage: 2008 Audi R8 Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Sports/GTs , Tech , Audi Click above for high-res gallery of the Audi R8 The innovative R8 supercar from Audi is now available for the first time with full LED headlamps. In addition to the standard Audi-signature 24-LED running lamps it's always had, this extremely expensive option (£3,590 converts to $7,100 USD) adds LED high and low beam headlamps and LED turn signals to the front fascia of the mid-engine sports car. The latest craze in automotive lighting, LED bulbs don't utilize a filament like halogen lamps or gas plasma like HID lamps. Instead, they create light from the movement of current across a semi-conductor chip. They are smaller, more vibration resistant, and much more efficient than traditional bulbs. According to Audi, the light from the LEDs has been designed to closely resemble daylight and provides a greater contrast to be easier on the human eye. LED illumination is also designed to last the lifetime of the vehicle. Audi is no stranger to...
|
-
|
Filed under: Motorsports , Sports/GTs , Euro , Audi Click above for photo gallery This year's Nürburgring 24-hour endurance race will feature perhaps the most wicked Audi R8 yet: a lightweight, custom-built racer that makes the road car look tame by comparison. To comply with the requirements for participation in the race, the stock 4.2L V8 donates its block and is rebuilt from there. The race-spec motor's displacement drops to 4.0 liters but it delivers a hefty 530 horsepower and 353 lb-ft of torque. The R8's stock front and rear bodywork is replaced by new, widebody carbon kevlar panels. The outboard intakes in the nose are replaced by blanks, and out back, the custom exhaust's dual outlets poke through the spot where the license plate would reside on the production car. Other obvious additions are the front splitter, large rear wing, rear diffuser, and multiple cutouts in the aft bodywork to help with engine cooling. The entire package weighs in at just 2,755 pounds...
|
-
|
Filed under: Convertibles , Coupes , Sedans/Saloons , Etc. , Euro , Supercars , Audi Audi has been tearing up the automotive landscape with a torrent of new products, and now it's cleaning up on the awards circuit, too. The European Patent Office awarded Audi as its third inventor of the year for its innovative new products that are helping Europe excel in the global market. The product worthy of such an award is Audi's aluminum space frame, which underpins the Audi A8, TT, R8, and Lamborghini Gallardo. The lightweight platform provides substantial weight savings vs. a traditional steel frame, which results in better fuel economy and a reduction in CO2. The space frame also provides improved structural rigidity and improved crash protection. Hit the jump to view Audi's press release. [Source: Audi] Continue reading Audi wins European Inventor of the Year Award Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Spy Photos , Supercars , Audi Click above for a gallery of the V10 Audi R8. We've been following the developments surrounding the V10-powered R8 for what seems like eons. But today, we received the most definitive proof yet; engine-bay shots and a video of a white prototype shot in Florida. According to members of AudiWorld, a few V10 mules have been handed out to current, and supposedly trustworthy, R8 owners for evaluation, sporting oval exhaust pipes and a revised fascia. While that's a rather unconventional move on Audi's part, it's proof that the automaker is getting ready to launch the new RS8 (or R10) in the near future. Hit the jump to hear the V10-powered R8 stretching its legs. Gallery: Spy Shots: V10 Audi R8 [Source: AudiWorld via German Car Scene ] Continue reading VIDEO: God's ringtone is a V10-powered Audi R8 Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Motorsports , Sports/GTs , Euro , Audi , Driving Driving a car on a racetrack, a controlled environment where the vehicle's limits can be safely probed, is an experience that not only increases driving skills, but it builds confidence too. Recognizing this, and offering car enthusiasts a way to legally wring-out some of their hottest products, Audi has partnered with Emotive to launch their 2008 Audi Sportscar Experience. Unlike last year's marketing-oriented Audi Driving Experience , or any other Driver Education event, the Sportscar Experience is focused on high-performance driving. The program consists of several different one- and two-day programs held at Infineon Raceway in California. Drivers sign up for the event of their choice, and each one includes a high-performance Audi "S" model for flogging ( yes, tires and brakes are included ). The vehicles include the 420-hp Audi RS4 , the 354-hp Audi S5 , the 450-hp Audi S8 , and the awesome 420-hp Audi R8...
|
-
|
Filed under: Coupes , Euro , Supercars , Audi There's no denying that Audi is planning more variants of the TT and R8, but most of the speculation revolves around fitting both models with high-output engines to produce RS variants. The TT-RS is expected to house a turbocharged, five-cylinder engine making around 350 hp and the R8 will benefit from some form of forced induction, with either a V8 or V10 mill taking the place of the stock 4.2-liter V8 - not to mention the V12 TDI mill. But what about weight reduction? According to Inside Line, Audi is considering "Sport" variants of both models, a concept that was executed back in 2005 with the introduction of the TT Quattro Sport, which featured a slight bump in power, revised suspension, Recaro thrones and nixed some of the superfluous material inside. Unfortunately, it never made it Stateside. The new "Sport" versions of each model would use a similar philosophy, and in the case of the R8, that could mean a boost...
|
More Posts Next page »
|
|
|