motor

Schwalbe · 11-16-2005, 03:36 AM

Green light for Audi R8 in Neckarsulm !

"It is now official: the new Audi sports car will be called the Audi R8. Presented as the "Le Mans quattro" concept study two years ago at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi has now taken the decision to build its new sports car. Everything is already being prepared for the series production of the R8 at Audi's plant in Neckarsulm, due to commence in the fourth quarter of 2006. The market launch is scheduled for the second quarter of 2007.

28 million euros are being invested in the R8 production line. The Audi subsidiary quattro GmbH will be responsible for production. Development and test construction at quattro GmbH and technical development at AUDI AG are currently in full swing. 250 employees will work on the production of the R8.

"Through the R8 we are looking to build on our successes in motorsport and carry them over to series production. This model represents Audi's very own interpretation of sportiness," says Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairman of AUDI AG, about the new member of the Audi model range.

Audi is relying on intelligent lightweight design for its R8, a core area of expertise in Neckarsulm. The Audi A2, A6 and A8 were all developed at the Aluminium Centre there using lightweight design technology."

The "Le Mans" name for this car like the Le Mans quattro concept car revealed in Frankfurt 2003 was far better than R9 and now R8 IMO.

FoxFour · 11-16-2005, 06:19 AM

A little more info that was sent to me.
Audi's Le Mans concept car appeared for the first time at the 2003 Frankfurt auto show. Now the company is about to develop a production version of the super sports car, to be dubbed R8.

The first prototype mule has been sighted testing at the Nürburgring. It is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and scheduled for launch next year. Production is set to start in the beginning of 2007. The V-10 engine from the Gallardo has been de-powered to 450 hp, and the two-seater will be available with a six-speed manual transmission. The basic model will be equipped with a V-8 engine - the same one already being used in the Audi RS4.

The Audi R8 is said to be an everyday car just like the Porsche 911, yet even more comfortable. It is expected to compete also against the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.

Schwalbe · 11-16-2005, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by dani_d_mas

BTW, the R8 is this

LOL !

This is an another reason why I prefer the name "Le Mans" for the next Audi supercar.

crayzayjay · 11-16-2005, 01:49 PM

Originally Posted by Schwalbe

The "Le Mans" name for this car like the Le Mans quattro concept car revealed in Frankfurt 2003 was far better than R9 and now R8 IMO.

Indeed. Gives the car a bit more character

Pehtren · 11-16-2005, 05:21 PM

i think the audi TT has earned his retire

do you know if they will put away the TT

and it looks nice looking the exterior i think it would cost much more than TT 8)

Schwalbe · 11-16-2005, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by pehtren

i think the audi TT has earned his retire

do you know if they will put away the TT

and it looks nice looking the exterior i think it would cost much more than TT 8)

Audi will never canceal the TT, because this car has definitively is places in the segment of $40,000 USD sport cars. The next R8 is located in another car category, because the next mid-engined Audi R8 supercar is expected to be $100 000 USD for the V8 414bhp model and nearly $145 000 USD for the V10 500bhp model.

Pehtren · 11-17-2005, 01:17 PM

^^oh

nice, but i think the TT could earn his retire, becouse the shape is still the same as the shape in the 1998

Pehtren · 11-17-2005, 03:45 PM

Originally Posted by everso

Originally Posted by pehtren

^^oh

nice, but i think the TT could earn his retire, becouse the shape is still the same as the shape in the 1998

there is a new TT on the way next year.

the TT isn't going away any time soon...it's just gonna get better and better....the plan is to evolve it into a "new" 911 (same shape for many years to come and new technology) for Audi

i have heard something, i think is cool

Sir_GT · 11-17-2005, 09:20 PM

If VW release an equivalent model to the upcoming R8, I'll scream. It's about time Audi got a dedicated "Audi-only" model.

RC45 · 11-18-2005, 12:40 AM

The first prototype mule has been sighted testing at the Nürburgring. It is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and scheduled for launch next year.

So it's official...

The Gallardo is just an expensive Audi... over-weight and underpowered

Schwalbe · 11-18-2005, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by RC45

The Gallardo is just an expensive Audi... over-weight and underpowered

Yea, perhaps a lightweight version of the Gallardo + 100 more horsepower would be appreciated, but I like nevertheless this all-season supercar.

JoeHahn · 11-18-2005, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by RC45

The first prototype mule has been sighted testing at the Nürburgring. It is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and scheduled for launch next year.

So it's official...

The Gallardo is just an expensive Audi... over-weight and underpowered

Ah shouldnt it be the other way around? The R8 is an overpowered Audi? Considering the Audi is being based off the Lamborghini and not the other way around?

Pehtren · 11-18-2005, 12:09 PM

i just found on one page this thing, the car could have V10 Biturbo 5L, 611HP , lambo engine in it 8) cool

gobs3z · 11-18-2005, 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by Schwalbe

Originally Posted by pehtren

i think the audi TT has earned his retire

do you know if they will put away the TT

and it looks nice looking the exterior i think it would cost much more than TT 8)

Audi will never canceal the TT, because this car has definitively is places in the segment of $40,000 USD sport cars. The next R8 is located in another car category, because the next mid-engined Audi R8 supercar is expected to be $100 000 USD for the V8 414bhp model and nearly $145 000 USD for the V10 500bhp model.

I actually think it's supposed to start at around $70,000, especially since thats where the 911 starts around. Thats from previous articles i read, but it could have changed, and $100,000 for the base model is way too much since since they don't really have to develope the engine and the drivetrain is DSG.

Schwalbe · 11-18-2005, 02:32 PM

^^^^My source comes from EVO magazine in spring, surely Audi goes revised the price of the base model since that...I hope so !

Originally Posted by pehtren

i just found on one page this thing, the car could have V10 Biturbo 5L, 611HP , lambo engine in it 8) cool

This awesome engine was the original that you can found on the Le Mans quattro concept car revealed in Frankfurt 2003. Audi didn't want cannibalized the sales of the Gallardo, this is the reason why this engine will not be offered in next R8.