09.12.2008
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro has many numbers to whet the appetite, but one of them jumps from the spec sheet more forcefully than the rest. It’s not the headline 525bhp, nor the torque peak of 391lb ft. It’s top speed of 196mph is pretty impressive, so too it’s 0-62mph time of just 3.9-seconds (aided in both manual and R-Tronic cars with a Launch Control function), but the killer figure is this one – 8700rpm.
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About Steve Davies
Steve is a media, venture, and technology advisor and a former Partner at KPMG Consulting, PriceWaterhouse Coopers and Managing Partner at EIM - his clients range from global web and media companies to small start-ups. He formed Drivers Republic (DR) in 2007, the UK's first digital automotive magazine, with a team of EVO and Autocar writers before creating SkiddMark, and also writes as a guest contributor on Unruly Media’s Meme Machine blog and for Econsultancy’s digital marketing blog.
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8 Comments
CampDavid
December 11, 2008Should be like Rohypnol for V8 R8 prices.
Lovely as it is, the car just has an air of smuggness about it, which ruins it for me
CampDavid
December 11, 2008Should be like Rohypnol for V8 R8 prices.
Lovely as it is, the car just has an air of smuggness about it, which ruins it for me
Daytonafan
December 12, 2008Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the Audi V10 and the Lamborghini V10 whilst sharing the same conceptual design actually has very few interchangeable parts. The bore spacings are different for example?
Re V8 prices I expect the V10 is pitched more at the 911 turbo than the Carrera baiting v8!
Daytonafan
December 12, 2008Correct me if I’m wrong but I thought the Audi V10 and the Lamborghini V10 whilst sharing the same conceptual design actually has very few interchangeable parts. The bore spacings are different for example?
Re V8 prices I expect the V10 is pitched more at the 911 turbo than the Carrera baiting v8!
Supercrosser
December 13, 2008Why put a bigger engine in an already too heavy car?
Again a no brainer!
the guys in Neckarsulm should get rid of the unnecessary 4-wheel-drive as they done in the 2009 race GT-Version and reduce additional weight as Porsche does it with the GT3 models instead of building an again heavier car.
I think there is so much potential in the car that is ruined by too much weight.
Isn´t there a place for a real sporty R8?
Supercrosser
December 13, 2008Why put a bigger engine in an already too heavy car?
Again a no brainer!
the guys in Neckarsulm should get rid of the unnecessary 4-wheel-drive as they done in the 2009 race GT-Version and reduce additional weight as Porsche does it with the GT3 models instead of building an again heavier car.
I think there is so much potential in the car that is ruined by too much weight.
Isn´t there a place for a real sporty R8?
Jethro Bovingdon
December 19, 2008I’m not sure Quattro Gmbh would consider 4wd unnecessary! It’s a shame it’s heavier but two more cylinders, bigger brakes and tyres, more cooling all adds up.
I reckon this could be a great car. Sounds like they’ve gone a bit more extreme on the chassis (which is already superb). I really like the R8 – in fact it’s the best of the cars I’ve driven around the Silverstone GP circuit. Don’t confuse its everyday usability with massive compromise. It’s a brilliantly balanced car. And the racer may be rear-drive, but only because the rules dictate as much. I know they campaigned hard behind the scenes to let the R8 racer use the four-wheel drive from the road car.
Jethro Bovingdon
December 19, 2008I’m not sure Quattro Gmbh would consider 4wd unnecessary! It’s a shame it’s heavier but two more cylinders, bigger brakes and tyres, more cooling all adds up.
I reckon this could be a great car. Sounds like they’ve gone a bit more extreme on the chassis (which is already superb). I really like the R8 – in fact it’s the best of the cars I’ve driven around the Silverstone GP circuit. Don’t confuse its everyday usability with massive compromise. It’s a brilliantly balanced car. And the racer may be rear-drive, but only because the rules dictate as much. I know they campaigned hard behind the scenes to let the R8 racer use the four-wheel drive from the road car.