Audi’s entrance in to the burgeoning supercar market is the R8, a two-seater coupe with a V-10 engine and a 0-62 mph time of around 4 seconds. It’ll be built by Audi subsidiary Quattro and will go on sale next year for upwards of $200,000.
The R8 is based heavily on the Le Mans quattro concept study (pictured above) from the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, where it had the Gallardo’s V-10 engine boosted with twin turbos to create 610 horsepower.
Audi is also using the expertise of Lamborghini to help fine tune the R8. It’ll use the same aluminum subframe as the Gallardo, but will avoid the Gallardo V-10 for another V-10 Audi is developing to fit in its RS model cars. A V-8 option is also on the cards. Power output for the V-8 would be 425 hp, and around 480 hp for the V-10.
The R8 will also come with the DSG style gearbox that practically all Volkswagen Group sports cars will be fitted with. There’s no confirmation whether the final production car will feature the striking LED headlights of the concept, but we're hoping the price of the car will justify their inclusion.
You can view spy shots of a prototype over at PistonHeads.
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