Audi is aiming towards Lamborghini territory with the presentation of a top-of-the-line R8 model that's equipped with what else, but the Gallardo's 5.2-liter FSI engine. Just to keep the family balance, in the R8 the V10 powerhouse churns out 525HP at 8,000 rpm and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm in European-spec form. That's compared to the latest Gallardo LP560-4's 560HP. According to the German firm, the R8 V10's mid-engine design provides an ideal axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent.
When equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro goes from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.9 seconds. In the version with the sequentially shifting R tronic it reaches 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in another 8.1 seconds. As for the car's top speed, the R8 5.2 FSI won't stop until it reaches 316 km/h (196 mph). Not that any potential buyers will actually care, but the R8 V10 with R tronic gets by on an average of 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg).
The car comes equipped with Audi's magnetic ride system which adapts the characteristics of the suspension in milliseconds to the nature of the road surface and to the driving style as standard. Deceleration is provided by eight brake pistons at the front and four at the rear grasp the brake disks, which are ventilated and perforated. The brake disks on the front axle have a diameter of 380 millimeters (15 in); the rear discs span 356 millimeters (14 in). Optionally, there's also a ceramic brake system available.
On the outside, the R8 V10 is distinguished by a few subtle styling changes such as the chrome finish grille, the all-LED headlights, the new rear bumper that incorporates a different diffuser and two large exhaust pipes, and the 10-spoke 19-inch alloy wheels. Tire sizes are 235/35 front and 295/30 rear. Other unique details include the accentuated sideblades and the matt aluminum exhaust grilles at the rear windows.
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of €142,400 or with the current exchange rates, $183,700.
Just as BMW unveiled the new 1-series convertible, Audi has now chopped the top on its A3, transforming the car into a four-seat cabriolet. The new car sports a fabric roof - as does its chief competitor - claimed to blend in with the 'authentic idea of open-top driving'. The exterior design of
the Cabriolet retains the basic form of the A3 hatchback, featuring the familiar grille and high shoulderline, but the front end design has evolved to include new headlamp units featuring seven LEDs and a lower bumper section, nearly identical to that of the A4. Measuring 4,238mm in length, 1,765mm in width, 1,424mm in height and with a 2,578mm wheelbase, the A3 Cabriolet retains the proportions of the hatchback and its windscreen angle as well. From the rear, the Cabriolet has adapted the taillamp design of the larger A5 coupé.
Structural rigidity is enhanced through extensive use of hot-formed steel, including in the twin roll hoops aft of the rear seats. Weight savings and interior space were also a priority in the design. The fabric roof, which can raise or lower in nine seconds, includes a large heated glass rear window and folds up in a Z-pattern for space savings. It can be specified as a semi-automatic or fully automatic 'acoustic' top and comes in three colors: black, blue or red.
Power will be supplied by a range of four-cylinder engines, two petrol and two diesel, when the car goes on sale in Germany from February 2008.
Source: cardesignnews
Audi's latest Metroproject Quattro design study, which debuted this morning at the Tokyo Motor Show, pays homage to Japan's flair for miniaturization and provides clues to the look and packaging of a future Audi sub-compact production car (read A1
).
The design study seeks to combine the premium quality, innovation and design progressiveness for which the Audi range is renowned into a vehicle that occupies less than four meters of road space. The concept has also been engineered for efficiency, with a hybrid powertrain. As such, it is able to derive its power solely from its 1.4-liter petrol engine, purely from its electric motor or through a combination of the two; their interplay controlled by the highly intelligent on-board management system.
Audi has completely revamped its A4, making it a sportier contender to compete with rivals such as BMW's 3 Series. Visually, it appears the company have succeeded in giving the car a more focussed and the purposeful road stance. The exterior des
ign of the new A4 make it appear both tauter and dynamic with sportier proportions than the previous model, as we'd predicted with the Roadjet concept. The front body overhang has been drastically shortened and the hood and wheelbase are both longer 
than before.
Audi's newest TT Roadster has gone under the knife and been transformed into the Clubsport, a bespoke 'design study' that harkens back to the 1950s Porsche Speedster.The TT Clubsport's styling elements make it appear to have come straight out of an aftermarket tuning house. Its short, pilarless wraparound windshield barely protrudes from the body and shorter rollover bars keep the profile low. There is no roof.
At the front, the domin
ating grille is more prominent than that of the production roadster and no longer houses Audi's badge or a number plate surround. The corporate chrome rings now adorn the top of the hood, and on either side of the grille are huge chrome mesh-covered air vents to feed cold air to the engine.
From the side, smaller wing mirrors appear to have been stolen from Audi's Nuvolari concept and the doors are devoid of handles, emphasizing the taut shoulder line. More pronounced rocker panels flow into bulging wheel arches housing 20-inch wheels similar to those found on Audi's RS4, while the exhaust outlets within the rear bumper evoke the automaker's sportier offerings.
Audi is currently displaying the car at the 26th Worthersee tuner show in Austria to guage public reaction. There is no word yet on whether it will actually reach production.
Source: cardesignnews
Photos of Audi's third coupe in 12 months have been released prior to next week's Geneva Motor Show, when it will be officially unveiled. Aimed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz CLK and BMW 3 Seri
es Coupe, the Audi A5 is a four-seat coupe based on a new platform - not just a hardtop A4 Cabriolet.
TT and A6, and softer version of the shoulder theme from the R8. The DLO has a hint of Mercedes-Benz, with a break at the rear rather than the traditional Audi flowing line. A wide range of engines producing between 170 and 265PS will be available from launch, including diesel options. Though a 344PS S5 has also been announced, we will be crossing our fingers for an RS5 with bigger arches and wider stance to complement the bold bodyside character line.The TechArt Porsche Cayenne Magnum. Ugly or full of character? I have to be honest I’m not normally a fan of the Cayenne but I love what TechArt have done with the beast. Just look at those white wheels!
The 2007 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. Utterly gorgeous.
The Landrover LRX Concept.
Nissan GT-R. This piece of Japanese metal really suits white doesn’t it?
2008 BMW M3 Convertible. I’m reliably informed that BMW are releasing this car to the press etc. in white later this year.
2008 Mercedes Benz CLC Class.
Audi TTS Coupe.
Audi TTS Roadster.
BMW 7 Series.
BMW M5.
Porsche GT3 Cup S racing car.
Toyota 4Runner. Bit of an acquired taste maybe.
Cadillac Escalade Platinum Edition. Those were the days when I used to own one of these babies.
But now I’ve converted back to right hand drive and possibly the best car in the world. The Range Rover Supercharged. My car, awesomely awesome.
The Artega GT.
The Bentley Brooklands.
Bentley Continental GTC. How lush?
Hummer H3.
Vauxhall Astra VXR Nurburgring Edition.
Toyota FT-HS Concept.
The RENNTech AMG CL65. 695HP? Yes please!
Rahal Letterman (David) Racing BMW M3.
Mayback 57-S.
Chevrolet Camaro.
BMW 1-Series tii Concept.
Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Edo Shark Porsche 911 Turbo.
Audi A5. Why do Audi cars in particular look so well in white?
Heavily customised Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Otherwise known as the Popemobile!
This is the gorgeous Audi R8. Simply stunning in white.
This is the new Audi A4. After the R8 it’s understated, but also looks well in white.
This is the Audi TT Roadster with modifications by Abt Sportsline.
This is the Audi Q7 V12 TDI concept. Are you bored of black 4×4’s? I know I am so its refreshing to see one in white.
Last of the Audi’s is the small but perfectly formed S3.
It’s very hard to find an Aston Martin of any kind, never mind a V8 Vantage in white. Had to look to Dubai (where else) for this one.
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X.
Bentley Continental GT.
BMW M3 in Alpine White. Gorgeous.
OK so not quite white but doesn’t this Ferrari F430 Spider look good in ivory?
The Ford Kuga is due to be launched in the UK later this year. Not bad for a Ford is it? Bit better looking than the bland new Mondeo anyway.
The Mercedes ML Edition 10, due out early 2008.
I struggled to get a picture of the new Mercedes C Class in Sport trim in white but hopefully you can see from the image below how good it looks.
Even the humble Volkswagen Polo GTI suits a white coat of paint.
And the Polo’s big brother, the Golf GTI.
Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. I saw one of these in Vegas earlier this year (in a shopping mall) and it just looked fantastic in white.
Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Versace Edition. Wow!
BMW 1 series. I didn’t like these at first but they’ve really grown on me now.
Fiat Grande Punto Abarth.
Honda Civic Type R. The pic below is the official concept, bizarrely you can’t buy it in white in UK showrooms.
Porsche 911 Turbo by Techart
What I’m listening to right now: Rockcity - “See You Around”
