As Audi's first mid-engine sports car, the R8 combines Audi's car-color exterior design and professional brand technology obtained from many motorsport champions. These expertise have turned Audi's slogan of "technology leads progress" into a leader on the track and on the road.
Audi has achieved numerous motorsport victories around the world. Following the renewed success of the old Ingolstadt brand in the 1980s and the great success of its touring car circuit, endurance racing has undoubtedly become the biggest challenge before the motorsport engineers of Audi AG. Not only did they rise to the challenge well, but they did so with distinction: the Audi R8 won the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans five times – from 2000 to 2002 and from 2004 to 2005 – twice even A good result in the top three.
Le Mans is undoubtedly the most difficult challenge for the experts from Audi Sport, because it requires more than just the concentration of all systems on the engine for a short, rapid sprint. This event not only requires the car to have excellent performance and optimal driving performance, the main requirements are endurance and reliability in long-distance pulling, as well as good ergonomic design. These requirements are reflected in this road sports car without exception. Coupled with the surprising design, the Audi R8 is unique and cutting-edge.
The distinctive body proportions of this car are determined by the position of the engine behind the driver's seat. This arrangement is a typical design of a racing car. The most powerful proof of this design - as the orthodox originator of the Audi R8 - is the Auto Union Type C Grand Prix model. On the R8, since the layout of the car completely follows the principle of gravity distribution, 44% is located at the front of the car and 56% is located at the rear, so the mid-mounted engine can enable the car to achieve good driving performance.
The car's body is highly compact in appearance. Its front end and slightly curved roof form a perfect arc, and this is enough for us to recognize that it is a two-seater. Audi car. Looking at the car from the side, you can find some familiar silhouette features, such as the dynamic lines on the wheels, the shoulder line connecting the front, side and rear end of the car from the inside, and the conspicuous transmission system next to the air vents, etc. Among them, the most prominent feature of Audi cars is the wheel arches that can accommodate large wheels.
The cabin of the Audi R8 is on full display - it not only has the characteristics of a mid-engine sports car, but also has an appearance that is naturally reminiscent of its sports car counterpart. The car's V8 FSI engine is installed behind the cabin and in front of the rear axle, so its clear and beautiful appearance can be clearly observed from inside the car or through the huge shield-like rear window.
As a true sports car, its standard proportions are: 1.9 meters wide, 4.43 meters long, and 1.25 meters high. Its 2.65-meter wheelbase provides ample space for the extra spacious cabin and longitudinally arranged engines. In addition, there is a large-looking ‘knife-edge’ air conversion device behind the door. It runs through the wheels and roof, providing sufficient air for the V8 and also playing a cooling role. The polished 'knife edge' is integrated with the color of the entire body.
The distinctive single-frame metal grille of the Audi series is still installed in the center of the front of the car, and large-size air intakes are installed on both sides. At the same time, for the first time, this car puts the four-ring logo on the hood above the metal grille. A highly innovative LED flat strip light is installed above the air intake, and is wrapped with a beautiful crystal clear glass cover, releasing An alluring sensuality.
The R8 is Audi’s first mass-produced model with a single headlight that includes a full set of headlight functions. Its LED headlights integrate short-range illumination, long-distance illumination, daytime driving use and steering indication. Function in one. LED (light-emitting diodes) means "lighting diode" and has a longer service life and longer-lasting function than ordinary car lights. Because the new lights require less space, designers are able to be more innovative in their design processes. The new three-dimensional main lights using LED technology are definitely a highlight of the car.
The R8’s car lights also reflect a kind of inspiration from nature. The shape of the car lights reminds people of a cute pine cone. The reflective shell is arranged in series front and back along the same axis, and a powerful LED system is connected behind it, which can gather the illumination of multiple strip lights to ensure bright and concentrated headlights. The unique built-in reflector design of the main transom headlight is inspired by the shape of the famous Sydney Opera House. Unlike other car lights, the car's white light determines that the headlight will be a narrow strip of light - a design that can send a unique signal and provide a very creative look and feel. Audi is likely to bring LED headlights to market as an option before the end of 2007.
The design of the engine compartment is another highlight of the car's appearance. You can directly see the heart of this sports car - the V8 engine. LED lighting in the engine compartment allows the engine to be seen in the dark, and of course, this equipment is also an option.
The large-diameter diffuser on the rear bumper of the car can well demonstrate the car's great success in aerodynamics. Two pairs of circular exhaust pipes are symmetrically installed below the diffuser. .
The Audi R8 is also equipped with an automatic rear spoiler, which is mainly to allow the sports car to better utilize the wind characteristics. With the help of the spoiler, the car generates additional pull-down force, thereby enhancing the suction force generated by the car's aerodynamically designed underbody and diffuser. When the sports car is traveling at low speeds, the spoiler automatically closes to turn off the spoiler function.
The all-aluminum body is designed and manufactured based on Audi's ASF body. The minimum weight and maximum hardness are perfectly combined, which not only delivers a thrust-to-weight ratio of 3.71/bhp, but also provides the car with excellent driving performance. laid the foundation.
The sporty interior is completely built around the driver, integrating the driver with the instrument panel and high-mounted center console. The control panel on the center console is slightly tilted towards the driver's direction. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical sporty Audi style, and it makes getting in and out of the car easier.
The sports seats are inlaid with leather fabrics and Alcantara materials produced in Italy. You can also choose to be entirely decorated with leather. A single round-back folding chair can also be installed in the R8. In particular, the quattro GmbH drive system improves the efficiency of the car. There is enough space for two people to ride in the car, and its comfort level is much higher than that of ordinary high-performance sports cars. . There's room behind the seats for one or even two golf club bags, and the front luggage compartment has a capacity of 100 liters.
The engine reaches the highest rpm range and can produce high maximum torque. These characteristics are reflected in this engine that can produce a mesmerizing sound. All these features are what a sports car engine should have. What’s fascinating about an engine is not only its power potential, but also its suitability for everyday use.
The following data explains the outstanding potential of the 8-cylinder engine. The 4.2-liter engine can output 309 kW (420 bhp) at 7800 rpm. Its maximum torque is 430 Nm, and the rotation speed ranges from 4500 to 6000 rpm. And in more than 90% of cases, this maximum torque is maintained within a relatively wide engine speed range, approximately 3500 rpm to 7600 rpm. Thanks to these qualities, the eight-cylinder engine delivers maximum power in virtually any driving situation.
The data obtained through use are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds and can reach a top speed of 301 km/h.
The V8 engine is a high-speed engine, with a maximum speed of 8250 rpm. The smoothness and super power output of the engine at high speeds reflect the advantages of this principle. In addition, its flexibility and sound like a racing engine are also unmatched.
Another technology borrowed directly from racing is dry sump lubrication, which provides maximum lateral and longitudinal acceleration for ideal driving style. The V8 engine can be installed lower to lower the center of gravity and improve driving performance.
There are two transmissions to choose from: a manual 6-speed transmission, and the Audi R's sequential-shift 6-speed automatic manual transmission. In addition, Audi's influence in the racing world is also deeply imprinted on this car. For example, the shift lever on the center console looks like a game controller, and the most special thing is that the shift paddles that have been used for a long time in motor sports are also installed on the steering wheel. The best proof of this is a Le Man The R8 that won the championship in the endurance race also shifted gears in this way.
Shift by wire technology supports fast upshifts and is perfectly integrated with the compact transmission. In sport mode, you can maximize your driving pleasure by quickly upshifting. In addition, car owners can also choose automatic transmission models.
Of course, an Audi car with this level of power output needs to be equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system. Through the viscous clutch, the power output ratio of the front axle and the rear axle can be distributed. The legendary Quattro system installed on the R8 is equipped on mid-engine models with a relatively distinct axle load ratio.
A major feature of the R8 chassis is the aluminum alloy front and rear double fork structure. The structure of the front end of the car is triangular, the upper part of the rear end is a triangular structure, and the lower part is a triangular structure with a transverse shock absorber. This provides optimal wheel control and, from a geometric point of view, optimal steering precision and precise self-steering characteristics. Simply put, hydraulic gear and rack steering can provide the driver with the best road feel feedback.
The springs and shock absorbers are adjusted on the firmer side in order to maximize the sense of sportiness to the driver, but at the same time, surprisingly, the comfort of the car is not affected by this. And discount.
If car owners install Audi's optional electromagnetic suspension instead of the original standard air cushioning device, comfort will be greatly improved. Why? Because an innovative technology is used on this energy absorption device. Different from traditional hydraulic shock absorbers, electromagnetic fluid is the core of this device. In other words, the viscosity of the liquid in the shock absorber can be controlled electromagnetically. Therefore, the damping effect of the shock absorber can be controlled in real time by changing the electromagnetic voltage according to the driver's wishes.
Audi's electromagnetic damping device uses this principle to ensure that the shock absorbers can provide appropriate damping effects under various driving conditions, thereby maximizing driving comfort and dynamic control. Sensor-equipped computer technology can determine driving conditions within milliseconds. The driver can choose between two driving programmes: highly sporty, which adjusts the electromagnetism to a lower viscosity level, or the opposite to achieve a high level of comfort.
The R8 comes standard with 6-spoke 18-inch wheels, but 19-inch wheels can also be optional. The front tires are 235/40, and the rear tires have been upgraded to 285/35, thus improving the road grip ability. This tire configuration transforms the dynamics of the drive train and chassis into optimal road holding and maximum lateral support for mid-engine sports cars. The long wheelbase and extremely low center of gravity of the mid-engine sports car ensure the best stability of the car, making the car more responsive and providing quick response to any operation of the driver and excellent safety.
Even if it is only the standard equipment of the Audi R8, no matter how picky a customer is, there will be nothing to say about the equipment. Xenon headlights, LED taillights and daytime running lights, 20-inch aluminum wheels, a sound system with 5.3-inch monitors, an anti-theft alarm and leather/Alcantara upholstery are just a few of the catalog of standard equipment.
The range of equipment to choose from makes it impossible to think of anything else you could ask for. A Bang & Olufsen sound system with 465 watts of output and 12 purpose-built speakers creates a high standard of surround sound. The microphone-based Vehicle Noise Compensation System adjusts the sound level according to road conditions and speed. A voice-activated parking system and a rearview camera help drivers reach safety in even the most crowded places. In addition to the radio/navigation system, it has a large-screen color display and MMI keyboard, which fully embodies the combination of maximized functions and user-friendly operation.
A range of perfectly matched design and leather interiors from Audi and quattro GmbH can turn the R8 into the car of your dreams. Designed to offer wheels ranging from 18 to 19 inches, they fit 235/35 front tube sizes and 295/30 rear tires. ***There are 8 exterior colors to choose from, from ibis white to metallic diamond black, shining with pearl luster.