Motor Authority - blog Category: R8

Audi fans will be able to drive the recently revealed 2009 R8 E-Tron concept car through PlayStation Home starting at the end of this year. Audi is the first automaker to develop its own virtual area there, known as the Audi Space.

For the uninitiated, PlayStation Home is a new 3D social gaming service for the PlayStation 3 community. Inside, there will be a three-dimensional racetrack called the Vertical Run, where players will be able to compete using the all-electric supercar concept.

Audi’s reason behind the move is simple. “Most young people gain their first driving experience from video games,” explains Kai Mensing,...

Audi fans will be able to drive the recently revealed 2009 R8 E-Tron concept car through PlayStation Home starting at the end of this year. Audi is the first automaker to develop its own virtual area there, known as the Audi Space. For the uninitiated, PlayStation Home is a new 3D social gaming service for the PlayStation 3 community. Inside, there will be a three-dimensional racetrack called the Vertical Run, where players will be able to compete using the all-electric supercar concept. Audi’s reason behind the move is simple. “Most young people gain their first driving experience from video games,” explains Kai Mensing, who is responsible for video games and virtual worlds in Online Marketing at Audi. “With the Audi Space, we can bring this target group into contact with our brand in a highly emotion-packed and interactive environment, and demonstrate our ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ with the virtual E-Tron race.” The goal of Vertical Run is to beat the competition in a multiplayer challenge by collecting enough electrical energy and avoiding driving errors in the E-Tron, in order to reach the highest possible speed. While all PlayStation Home users will be able to access Audi Space--with its centrally placed tower reminiscent of major cities like Shanghai and Chicago--the Audi apartments located above the city will only be available to the best drivers. Note that you don’t have to wait until the Vertical Run driving game goes online in Audi Space to find Audi content. Audi tv reports are already available in the cinema within PlayStation Home and next year additional Audi content will be added to Audi Space. For more information on the action E-Tron concept car, click here. Read More

Audi currently sells two versions of its R8 supercar, the original 4.2-liter V-8 model and the recently revealed 5.2-liter V-10 version, but there are two more versions in the works--one of which has been revealed today ahead of its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.

The two new versions are the R8 Spyder convertible shown here, as well as the high-performance RS variant still to come.

A spokesman for Audi previously confirmed that the R8 Spyder was delayed to allow time for sales of the V-10 hard-top to eventually die down. The Audi rep also confirmed that the Spyder would feature a full convertible soft-top roof instead of a...

Audi currently sells two versions of its R8 supercar, the original 4.2-liter V-8 model and the recently revealed 5.2-liter V-10 version, but there are two more versions in the works--one of which has been revealed today ahead of its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show. The two new versions are the R8 Spyder convertible shown here, as well as the high-performance RS variant still to come. A spokesman for Audi previously confirmed that the R8 Spyder was delayed to allow time for sales of the V-10 hard-top to eventually die down. The Audi rep also confirmed that the Spyder would feature a full convertible soft-top roof instead of a smaller targa set-up, which was the preferred choice of engineers back in Germany. Other major changes for the car that appear to have made it to production are a pair of additional air intakes located behind the seats, as well as a pair of safety roll-over bars. The R8’s trademark aluminum side blades have been removed. The placement of the fuel filler cap will also be changed due to the missing rear pillars, while changes under the sheet metal will likely include extra chassis strengthening. One other important attribute of the R8 Spyder is the availability of the high-performance 5.2-liter V-10 engine, exclusively. The smaller 4.2-liter engine is likely to be ruled out for the new Spyder. This means it will make 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Though it weighs roughly 200 pounds more than the hardtop coupe, the R8 V-10 Spyder still slingshots to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds on its way to a 195-mph top-end limit, according to Audi. Heat-reflecting seats are part of the standard equipment list, as are seatbelts that are woven with microphones for superior, er, handsfree cellphone use. The top can be operated up to about 30 mph, Audi adds. It comes in three color choices. LED headlamps will be standard. The R8 Spyder will be a 2011 model when it shows up in North America next summer. Stay tuned: MotorAuthority is on the Frankfurt scene, and there's more to come tonight, including more Audi e-tron details. MORE: 2009 Frankfurt auto show coverage Read More

BMW has enjoyed some success with its CSL range of stripped out ready-to-race M3s and Mercedes-Benz has delivered several of its own lightweight Black Series model. That leaves the third major German luxury automaker, Audi, which will soon offer uprated sports versions of its regular production models. Speaking at a recent press event Audi’s quattro development chief Stefan Reil hinted that lightweight versions of the R8 supercar and TT were being considered.

Still in the works is a high-performance RS version of the R8 and possibly even an R8 V-12 TDI but according to Reil Audi could also offer a new “Sport” derivative of the R8 as well as...

BMW has enjoyed some success with its CSL range of stripped out ready-to-race M3s and Mercedes-Benz has delivered several of its own lightweight Black Series model. That leaves the third major German luxury automaker, Audi, which will soon offer uprated sports versions of its regular production models. Speaking at a recent press event Audi’s quattro development chief Stefan Reil hinted that lightweight versions of the R8 supercar and TT were being considered. Still in the works is a high-performance RS version of the R8 and possibly even an R8 V-12 TDI but according to Reil Audi could also offer a new “Sport” derivative of the R8 as well as the smaller TT. This wouldn’t be the first time Audi developed such a car. Back in 2005 Audi released a limited edition TT quattro Sport to mark the end of production of the previous generation TT. The car had a slight increase in power over the standard model as well as firmer suspension, a stripped our interior and Recaro bucket seats. "This is the direction you can go and make business," Reil explained. "It makes sense for the TT, and maybe in the future in an R8." This week reports have emerged claiming Audi is testing its new R8 Sport. A mysterious prototype with several race-inspired elements has been sighted in Germany, including an oversized fixed rear wing, small canards attached to the front bumper, and bigger brakes. Not much else is known but expect a modest power hike over the standard R8 V-10’s 525 horsepower output. Such a model will likely be aimed at well-heeled racing enthusiasts as well as small privateer teams not willing to splurge on the more extreme R8 LMS race car. Audi’s Italian cousin Lamborghini showed the way with the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, and we hope that the German automaker will follow suit. Read More

Audi's R8 - often referred to as a detuned Gallardo - recently got a step closer to its Lamborghini cousin with the addition of a 5.2L V10 engine, and today Audi has released U.S. pricing for the 2010 model.

The 2010 Audi R8 V10 starts at $146,000 for the manual-equipped version, while the dual-clutch R tronic transmission bumps the price to $155,100. That's a considerably better bargain than the first R8 V10 sold in the U.S., which went for $500,000 at auction back in February. A second also sold for $350,000.

To be fair, however, the money from those cars went to charity. The winning bidders, Tom Gonzales and George and Sue Levin, took... Audi's R8 - often referred to as a detuned Gallardo - recently got a step closer to its Lamborghini cousin with the addition of a 5.2L V10 engine, and today Audi has released U.S. pricing for the 2010 model. The 2010 Audi R8 V10 starts at $146,000 for the manual-equipped version, while the dual-clutch R tronic transmission bumps the price to $155,100. That's a considerably better bargain than the first R8 V10 sold in the U.S., which went for $500,000 at auction back in February. A second also sold for $350,000. To be fair, however, the money from those cars went to charity. The winning bidders, Tom Gonzales and George and Sue Levin, took possession of their new R8 V10s today as well. "Plenty of people have been waiting to get behind the wheel of these remarkable sports cars, so it’s great to give these generous donors – Mr. Gonzales and the Levins – the first opportunities to enjoy the Audi R8 V10 experience," said Jon Kolody, Area Sales Manager, Audi of America. Shipment of the rest of the R8 V10 fleet will begin now that the first buyers have their cars. The standard R8 with the 4.2L V8 engine starts from $114,200 this year, with the R tronic raising the price by the same $9,100 interval to $123,300. With the addition of the V10 engine, Audi moves the R8's performance into the supercar category, with 0-60mph ticking past in 3.7 seconds - a hair quicker than the 638hp Corvette ZR1. For more on the 2010 Audi R8 V10, check out our original coverage.Audi R8 V10 5.2L FSI Read More

Audi has the R8, Mercedes-Benz has the McLaren SLR and soon the new SLS, while Lexus is working on its own V10-powered LF-A supercar - so where exactly does this leave BMW in the halo-car department?

Sure, BMW has the M3 and the M5/M6, but in terms of pure sports cars it can hardly match the offerings from its competitors, and while some time ago there was talk of reviving the 8-Series or even building a new environmentally-friendly supercar nothing solid has come of it, which is why designer Idries Noah decided to give BMW a nudge in the right direction with his depiction of what the company’s rivals to the likes of the R8 and SLR... Audi has the R8, Mercedes-Benz has the McLaren SLR and soon the new SLS, while Lexus is working on its own V10-powered LF-A supercar - so where exactly does this leave BMW in the halo-car department? Sure, BMW has the M3 and the M5/M6, but in terms of pure sports cars it can hardly match the offerings from its competitors, and while some time ago there was talk of reviving the 8-Series or even building a new environmentally-friendly supercar nothing solid has come of it, which is why designer Idries Noah decided to give BMW a nudge in the right direction with his depiction of what the company’s rivals to the likes of the R8 and SLR should look like. Noah’s work has appeared on MotorAuthority before, with his Project Fireblade design study, as well as his Ferrari F250 Concept, and like those two designs the new ‘BMW M Concept’ is visually dramatic and stays true to many of the BMW’s brand essence. According to Noah, the recipe for the car was simple - "aggressive, sleek, agile". He retained BMW's trademark kidney grille, but the inspiration for the rest of the design came from nature, especially "water and the way it flows and ripples". Via: Serious WheelsBMW M Concept design study by Idries Noah Read More

When Audi's R8 V12 TDI made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the world stood in awe of the sheer beauty of the idea: a fuel-efficient, torquey and potent diesel vehicle that could rival Lamborghinis and Ferraris in performance. But unfortunately new reports say the global industry downturn has claimed the oil-burning R8 as its latest victim.

At 5.5L and 500hp (373kW)/740lb-ft (1001Nm) of torque, the R8 TDI's V12 engine was a thing of beauty. Based around the company's dominating Le Mans diesel engine design, the V12 TDI was expected to be a sure hit with high-performance aficionados and diesel-heads everywhere. When a second... When Audi's R8 V12 TDI made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the world stood in awe of the sheer beauty of the idea: a fuel-efficient, torquey and potent diesel vehicle that could rival Lamborghinis and Ferraris in performance. But unfortunately new reports say the global industry downturn has claimed the oil-burning R8 as its latest victim. At 5.5L and 500hp (373kW)/740lb-ft (1001Nm) of torque, the R8 TDI's V12 engine was a thing of beauty. Based around the company's dominating Le Mans diesel engine design, the V12 TDI was expected to be a sure hit with high-performance aficionados and diesel-heads everywhere. When a second concept was revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, many thought the car was a shoo-in for production. But that high-tech engine and the technology that goes into it equate to huge costs - costs that a racing team can eat or recuperate, but are too high for a road-going car to bear, reports Auto Express. Of course, just because the market isn't currently at a level that could make the car a successful business proposition doesn't mean it won't be at some point in the future. And Audi won't be letting its diesel racing technology languish in the mean time, so while the R8 V12 TDI may be dead, it could yet prove to come alive again several years down the road.Audi presents second R8 V12 TDI concept in GenevaAudi R8 V12 TDI Read More