Usually when you say the name Audi you think of extremely bold all wheel drive sports cars like the R8 super car with its 420 HP FSI V8, quattro permanent four wheel drive and light weight aluminum construction that all work in harmony to make one incredible automobile. However, ever since Audi’s cousins at Lamborghini decided to unveil a special edition rear wheel drive GallardoLP 550-2 Valentino Balboni with its 550 HP V10, daydreamers have wondered about what would happen if Audi went the same way with the R8.
Thanks to a few recent spy shots, it appears that this just might come true. Audi is already offering RWD offering with their R8 LMS GT racecar, and rumors say that the German automaker might just come up with a road going version of the track ready R8. However, a RWD drive train goes against Audi’s marketing strategy.
Despite the evidence shown by the spy shot that appeared in the Dutch magazine that shows a RWD R8 wearing a huge rear spoiler, Audi has yet to make any official statement about bringing the R8 variant into production, however the only question that remains is whether Audi will go with the V8 or the new ten cylinder power plant.
Even if Audi has decided to hold off on the R8 Spider for pubic consumption, there is still someone who is already enjoying the benefits of going topless. Actor Robert Downey Jr. was recently spotted behind the wheel of the drop top Audi super car while filming the next episode of the Iron Man franchise. The original R8 was introduced to the theater going world when Richard Stark, Iron Man, galavanted around as the playboy that he is pulled up in the 420 FSI HP Quattro super car.
Based on the buzz created by the original, Audi should be very happy with the sequel. The Audi R8 Spider will only be offered with a V10 engine mounted behind the driver. Considering this latest images, we can expect to see the official unveiling in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Usually when you see a mirror-finish car you expect to be owned by an Arabian guy. But this Audi R8 seems to be an exception although it is most likely destined for some oil rich Saudi Arabian sheik, the car has been spotted in Europe. The chrome finish is quite a symbolic finish for the Audi super car. It was not the Lemans Quattro concept car from 2003 that the R8 is based on, but the blingy Avus concept car that got the ball rolling back in 1991.
According to the Audi Internet Forum, Fourtitude, Audi Exclusive takes care of special requests like this reflective paint job. However due to the limited supply of shops that can apply this kind of finish it is believed that it was built due to a customer’s demand by a specialized tuning house located in the area.
There is no mention of whether this is a V10 powered vehicle or not, but regardless the owner’s choice to black out the emblems and carbon fiber side blade that is a signature of the Audi super car. However being such big fans of the wavy black stuff we would have just sanded down the clear coat to compliment the dull accents. Either way this is one impressive custom R8.
Audi celebrated their centennial at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last weekend and Top Speed previously showed you a teaser image from the German automaker’s centerpiece at the event. Commemorating 100 years of automobile production and over 70 years of rich racing heritage, the four ringed automaker showed off competition proven models like the classic Auto Union Grand Prix cars, Audi Sport Quattro based rally and touring cars as well as their latest alternatively fueled Le Mans competitor. However Audi’s the crown was the sculpture in front of Lord March’s home that showed where the Germans have been and where they are going. At one end pointed an Auto Union streamliner and at the other a V10 powered R8 super car shooting up into the heavens. The two high performance machines are linked by a stretch of road that resemble the historic Avus race track with it’s highly banked, nearly 180 degree curve.
Meanwhile the rest of Audi’s racing fleet was busy entertaining the crowd making passes up the 1.8 Mile hill climb course. Formula 1 and Le Mans legend, Jacky Ickx, and Pink Floyd drummer and Auto Union enthusiast Nick Mason, drove a pair of the 1950s race cars up the hill, the first was a full blown Type D Dual Compressor driven by the professional and D Type with the drummer behind the wheel. This was also the last running of the mostly original 1938 Type D before it goes on permanent display at the Audi Tradition’s museum in Ingolstadt, Germany.
Audi has prepared three of their signature models: the A3, TT and R8 with one of the greatest navigation system available at the moment. The new Audi navigation system plus with MMI is being priced between 2,270 and 2,565 Euros; that is depending on which model you choose.
The heart of the unit is the 800 x 480 pixel, high-resolution 6.5 inch screen. Route calculation is now blazingly fast thanks to a latest-generation processor clocked at 600 MHz. In addition to the recommended path, the split-screen display now also shows speed limits taken from the navigation data for freeways and highways. In topographic map view, the driver and front passenger can scroll vertically, horizontally and now also along the route as they wish.
Audi’s R8 super car is a dream: razor sharp bodywork, over 400 horse power behind your head and a set of eye catching rims. Unfortunately, that kind of superior automotive status comes at a sizable cost. That is why the German tuning firm Prior Design have come up with a very aggressive R8 inspired aero kit for the last generation Audi TT, bringing super car fashion to the masses.
Up front the TT wears a new front bumper complete with horizontal carbon fiber blades stretching across the oversized intakes. The rear bumper is equally as speed inspired, they are tied together nicely by the new side skirts and the TT’s already wide fender bulges. The tuner kept everything unchanged under the hood, the 3.2 Liter V6 making 250 HP being sent through Quattro, Audi’s proven four wheel drive system.
So if the Audi R8 is your dream car, but for whatever reason isn’t in your garage, the Prior Design TT is not a bad substitute. By combining the looks of Audi’s halo car, the R8 with a solid German engineered power train, Prior Design made a good car into something special. Check out the link below to find out more on their web site.
Another treat from the German luxury car builder’s, Audi TV. Have you ever wondered about how a sports car is produced? More like than not the answer is yes. Audi is offering you the chance to see how the R8 sports car is being made!
The future Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Spider has been caught testing at the Nürburgring before its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The sports car will only be offered with a 5.2 Liter V10 producing 525 hp mated to a six speed manual transmission standard, negating the speculation that the German automaker would release a version with the 420 HP 4.2 Liter FSI V8. The drop top super car can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in around 4 seconds, while the vehicle’s top speed will be in the ballpark of 200 MPH.
Even though you won’t be able to enjoy the Ferrari F-450 Spider for at least another 24 months, Audi’s drop top super car may just have to hold you over until then. The Audi R8 Spyder has been spotted in the final stages of testing, and spy photographers were at the right place at the right time to catch it before the vehicle makes its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, ahead of even the hardtop Ferrari.
Like the Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, the Audi R8 Spyder will feature a fancy electrically operated folding soft-top convertible roof. The German automaker has chosen to leave out the R8’s signature side blades made from carbon fiber, further distinguishing it from the coupe. However the Audi design team didn’t forget to add a powerfully sculpted side scoop to feed enough fresh air into the mid-mounted engine bay.
Fans of the fabulous 4.2 Liter FSI V8 that makes 100 horsepower per liter will be able to enjoy the sound of that motor behind them with the wind in their face by September, but if you really want to go Ferrari hunting, V10 powered Spyder will debut just six months later.
If you were watching the 24 Hours of Lemans this weekend, the one car you didn’t see much of, aside from a pace car or two was the Audi R8. So here is a clip of the Audi R8 LMS warming up during a practice session before the Nurburgring 24 race. Enjoy it!
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