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From YourSITE.com Audi News It’s hard for a naysayer to suggest Audi hasn’t brought their A-game to the auto industry as of late. In the heart of a new product blitz with no end in sight, Audi and its Audi Brand Group siblings Lamborghini and SEAT continue to impress at shows like the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile. While some journalists may have been muttering over their steak and frittes dinners about “not much to see”, they certainly couldn’t say this in regards to Audi. This was point was made no more apparent than with the introduction of the Audi R8.
R8 Thus far, the R8 has been a headline-making machine for Audi, as mules in various guises and locales would teased the public with whisps of a view, only to disappear into the Arizona or Nurburgh hills. When the car finally roared onto the stage at its reveal party in the heart of Paris’ Quartier La Defense, it delivered on the tease tenfold – a truly dynamic looking car that journalists and customers alike can’t wait to drive and see if the experience can live up to the handsome looks or abundant hype. Specific technical details on the R8 can be found in the company’s release on the subject. Since those hyper aware of the car have probably already read and re-read that text, here are the most important pieces of info, along with some in details learned in conversations with Audi staff on-hand at the show.
For starters, the launch engine is quite similar to that of the RS 4, a high-revving 4.2 V8 pushing out 420 bhp in the R8 and benefiting from dry sump lubrication – a setup adopted from the R8 racecar to help the road-going R8 cope with those long hard sweeper corners. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4,500 to 6,000 rpm. As engines go, this is as close as you’ll get in road-going form to the engine that powered Audi’s now-legendary R8 racecar. With that engine mounted amidships, the R8’s layout is also as close as you’re going to get to that racecar in production Audi form. The mid-engine configuration bestows the car with a 44% front:56% rear weight ratio. Audi says the R8 will go from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 187 mph.
Transmissions will be a choice between the gratuitious 6-speed manual and an R-tronic sequential. “R-tronic” is also the new name applied to DSG applications in the A3 and TT. It would appear that Audi made the name change in order to keep a standard name for sequential transmissions across the range, even when they’re not the Borg Warner-sourced twin-clutch DSG box. In this case, the single-clutch R-tronic was developed from Lamborghini’s own e-gear system, though we’re told it has been further perfected for the R8 application. The R8 will mark the second application of Audi’s new Magnetic Ride that was first shown in the new TT. This dash-adjustable suspension makes use of magnetorheological shock fluid instead of standard damper fluid. When an electrical current and thus an electromagnetic field is applied to the fluid, its viscosity changes, allowing the shock to change its dampening rates in a fraction of a second. Like R-tronic, another system now wears the quattro name in addition to Torsen-based systems used in cars like the A4,A6,A8 and Q7 ranges or the Haldex-derived system found in the A3 and TT. The R8’s all-wheel drive is a viscous coupling style system like that of the Gallardo and quite similar to that of the 911 – a setup most journalists have praised when fitted in high-performance mid or rear-engined cars such as those listed.
Based on the Le Mans quattro concept car’s design, the R8 stays true to the original features such as the quite striking “side blade” panels that can be ordered in matching or accenting finishes and shown in Paris in satin aluminum, color-matched paint as well as striking carbon fiber. At the front, the aggressive lines are also most apparent with the eye-catching headlight clusters mashed square against the lower side intakes for a most-menacing look. The quattro badge graces a squat version of the trademark Audi center-mount grille. Like the concept, the four-rings have moved Auto Union-style up to a new position on the hood. Two wheels will be offered on the R8. Standard are a 6-arm 18-inch design that are probably the same ones seen during the last few weeks on production mules that weren’t fitted with Lamborghini wheels. Optional are a handsome split 5-spoke design that bear more than a striking resemblance to the design of the RS 4’s own 7-arm 19-inch wheel design, though decidedly more aggressive in appearance. All cars shown in Paris wore the optional 19-inch wheels.
Audi partsbin raiding is evident. But, when you have a partsbin like Audi’s, who wouldn’t raid it? The flat-bottom steering wheel lauds from the TT Coupe, while the optional sport seats are the same Recaros fitted as optional in the RS 4 and S3. Like the RS 4, we likely won’t get the seats in North America, but the flat-bottom wheel should make production for all markets as standard fare just as it does in the TT. The whole package remains a masterstroke for Audi. The car is the perfect stage to show the brand’s considerable attention to detail, with artful application from the LED headlight cluster or the fantastic looking speakers of the optional Bang & Olufsen sound system to the alloy engine cover and satin aluminum gas cap with R8 logo. R8 Facing Competition The more obvious comparisons have been drawn for the R8, debated and discussed by journalists as they pondered the car. “Against whom will it compete?” and “Who would buy this car?” were the main question being asked. Existing cars such as the corporate second cousin Porsche 911 or the platform-sharing Lamborghini Gallardo are more quickly compared, though most agree that the more traditional and/or badge conscious buyers of either of those cars likely won’t consider an R8. The aging Acura NSX or the Mercedes SLR were drawn as a point of reference by more than one journalist we conversed with, as the Acura was an interesting supercar from a company that had no real previous history in the segment and the Merc was in a similar position when Stuttgart’s modern era was considered. Such a niche as that of the NSX might be a small one now, but it’s about to get a whole lot bigger. Of course Mercedes showed their special-edition SLR ‘722 Edition’ elsewhere at the Paris convention center and another star of the show was the production version of the Maserati-powered Alfa Romeo 8C Comptizione. Further rumors from Merc and BMW suggest a modern-day gullwing and a new mid-engined car from each of those direct brand respectively.
Elsewhere on the Audi Stand Elsewhere in the Audi stand, it’s evident that the company’s portfolio continues to expand. Unlike some manufacturers with maybe one new product in their whole booth, Audi instead showed a range of new offerings.
Though European journalists may have already been driving the cars, Paris marked the first auto show debut of the second-generation S3. And, though the Q7 V12 TDI missed its showing on the stand, its potent diesel engine with its dozen menacing cylinders could be found on a stand nearby the Le Mans-winning R10 TDI racecar. As expected, the TT S-line also made its first Auto Show appearance – an attractive offering to be sure.
Other notable engines being introduced included two engines. The first was a familiar displacement of 1.8-liters, again turbocharged and with FSI added. The second was a 2.8-liter V6, with the first production application of Audi’s Valvelift System first shown in the Roadjet concept.
quattro GmbH had a strong showing within the stand beyond the R8, displaying several cars tailored by Audi’s in-house customization firm. The aforementioned S3 sported a special Papaya Orange exterior color with matching leather segmentation and stitching on the inside. A silver A8 4.2 TDI sported a custom dark brown interior color and 20-inch forged versions of the sport wheel most commonly known for its fitment on the RS 4 – the perfect car to park next to your Carrera GT with the same color combo. Finally, an even more lavish A8 sat in a quattro GmbH display room on the second level of the Audi stand, bedecked with virtually anything that can be done to the car, such as custom interior, seatback trays, a fax, internet connectivity, audio visual system and more – a list that ran the reported price of the car to over 220,000 Euros.
As usual, an Audi Collection store was found in one corner of the stand, complete with a wide array of new items. A whole selection of goods inspired by the new R8 was front and center, including everything from scale model cars to carbon fiber cufflinks. For the child who gets only the very best, the Audi Collection also now includes a motorized kiddy version of the Auto Union Type B Grand Prix racecar, found in the Audi stand sitting on its own mini turntable.
Lamborghini Perspective Lamborghini’s line may be limited to only two models, but that doesn’t stop the Sant’ Agata-based company from making headlines and keeping things fresh. The big news that helped make two special-edition models possible is the announcement of the creation of Lamborghini’s own in-house customization firm. Like quattro GmbH, Lamborghini’s ‘ad personam’ will be responsible for limited run series of Lamborghinis or complete personalization as dictated by the customer.
Front and center in the Lambo stand was a white Murcielago LP 640 VERSACE, one of the limited series of cars to be shown. This white LP 640, with a second black version debuting at the very same time in Versace’s own hometown of Milan, includes significant interior tailoring designed and inspired by the Italian fashion house. Buyers of the cars will also get additional Versace goods such as custom-designed baggage tailored for the compartments of the Murcielago, as well as a custom Versace watch matching either of the two exterior shades.
The other limited-run series on hand was the Gallardo “Nera”. This short run of Gallardo coupes features black wheels, a seemingly growing trend, and one of two special black exterior colors accented by matte black segments of the car’s body. Inside, additional interior customization helps take the Gallardo to the next level. Minor changes for the remaining Gallardo line were also announced, namely some adjustments to trim, new colors and the addition of optional carbon ceramic brakes. SEAT Perspective Audi’s Spanish cousin hasn’t had the easiest year. Sales are off and rumors of a possible Chinese purchase and control going back to parent Volkswagen both surfaced and were rebuffed by Audi chief Dr. Martin Winterkorn.
It’s not that SEAT makes bad cars. The new Altea XL making its Paris debut marks a stronger presence in the hot European small minivan /people mover category. Particularly fitted with the striking sport body kit and wheels, the Altea XL looks quite attractive. Still, the brand is a bit heavy on the five-door offerings, with Cordoba and Ibiza models being the only departure from that configuration in the range. SEATs cars are good, but they need something like a roadster, a coupe, or a sport sedan to help round out the line as their range of 5-doors tend to get lost in an ever-expanding market segment.
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