The Audi R8 Thread

Audi Sport boss: "we are fighting for V10" in next-gen R8

Senior figures have strong desire for ten-cylinder engine to remain, while more hardcore variant will be previewed by GT2 race car at Goodwood next week

Audi Sport is fighting to ensure the V10 remains an integral part of the next-generation R8, despite the increasing likelihood the flagship supercar will go all-electric in its next generation.

Speaking to Autocar at the recent Nurburgring 24-hour race, Audi Sport managing director Oliver Hoffmann suggested there was a strong desire to see the free-revving, naturally-aspirated engine live on in the third-generation R8.

However, increasingly stringent emissions regulations and a broader move towards electrification make such an engine increasingly difficult to justify. Hoffmann explained there is a need to not only identify what type of drivetrain will be most appropriate for such cars, but also which engines would be best suited to electrification.

“The V10 is an icon, and a USP within the segment,” he said. “ With the current R8, our customers love this car. We are fighting for the V10, but [for the next-generation] it’s more or less a question of ICE or electrification, and which kind of engine is useful for it.”

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/audi-sport-boss-we-are-fighting-v10-next-gen-r8
 
Audi Sport boss ‘fighting’ to keep V10 alive for next-gen R8

The head of Audi Sport says he is “fighting” to keep the naturally aspirated V10 engine alive for the next-generation R8 after rumours suggested the supercar would switch to some sort of electric power.

Speaking to Autocar, Audi Sport managing director Oliver Hoffmann suggested a decision on the third-generation R8’s powertrain had yet to be made.

“The V10 is an icon and a USP within the segment. With the current R8, our customers love this car.

“We are fighting for the V10, but it’s more or less a question of ICE [internal combustion engine] or electrification, and which kind of engine is useful for it,” he said.

Hoffmann went on to point out Lamborghini – one of Audi’s sister brands in the Volkswagen Group – would also be keen to retain the free-breathing 5,2-litre V10 unit.

“Lamborghini has to have a naturally aspirated engine; no other brand stands for NA like Lamborghini.

https://www.carmag.co.za/news/rumours/audi-sport-boss-fighting-to-keep-v10-alive-in-next-gen-r8/
 
Audi May Team Up With Rimac For Electric R8 Successor

The Audi R8 in its current form is likely the last of its kind and even Audi’s chairman of the board of management questioned if it needs an internal combustion engine moving forward.

A new report from CAR magazine now suggests that there will be an R8 successor and it will be electric. Come 2023 or 2024 we could see something called the RS e-tron arrive and it will be developed in partnership with Rimac.

Rimac will allegedly supply Audi with four electric motors and fast-charging batteries, says the publication. It will also be able to sprint to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds thanks to the instant torque availability of EV’s and of course the legendary all-wheel-drive system.

https://www.zero2turbo.com/2019/08/audi-may-team-up-with-rimac-for-electric-r8-successor.html
 
Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupé And Spyder Pricing For South Africa

Audi Sport revealed the facelift R8 called the V10 Performance way back in October last year and South Africa is set to receive the Coupé and Spyder variants in April next year.

The non-Performance V10 produces 562 hp (419 kW) and 550 Nm of torque which gets the Coupé to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and the Spyder in 3.5 seconds. The Audi R8 V10 Performance produces 602 hp (449 kW*) and 580 Nm which is able to get the Coupé to 100 km/h in a blistering 3.1 seconds or 3.2 seconds for the Spyder.

Indicative pricing for the two Performance variants are as follows;

- Coupé – R3,223,000
- Spyder – R3,471,000

With the Huracán EVO starting from R5,695,000 this seems like quite a bargain.

 
Audi R8 V10 RWD

From special series to standard range: The Audi R8 V10 with rear-wheel drive is advancing to a permanent model. In this context, its exterior is being redesigned to make it even more striking: It will be fitted with the same new features as the R8 V10 quattro models. The V10 mid-engine, which delivers 397 kW (540 PS) here, and the rear-wheel drive offer a puristic kind of driving pleasure. The near-production-level Audi R8 LMS GT4 racing car, which also features rear-wheel drive, is being released at the same time, with a new design and noticeable optimizations in terms of vehicle dynamics. The customer sport racing car for the international GT4 category will offer private drivers even more precise adjustment options in the future.

"We launched a limited series of the Audi R8 V10 RWS at the beginning of 2018," says Oliver Hoffmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. "Its rear-wheel drive derived from the R8-LMS racing car, and the special dynamics sparked our customers' enthusiasm right away. Now it will become part of the R8 family as a separate model, the R8 V10 RWD. And we are giving it the same sharp look with which we designed the new R8 quattro models. At the same time as we are releasing the series production model, we are also offering the R8 LMS GT4 racing car with a new look."

The design of the Audi R8 V10 RWD

The new design features perfectly highlight the dynamics of the Audi R8 V10 RWD, which is available as a Coupé and Spyder. The Singleframe is broader and flatter, and the slits below the hood are reminiscent of the brand's icon, the Audi Sport quattro.


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Audi Releases Rear-Wheel Drive R8

Not so long ago, Audi released a limited-edition rear-wheel-drive R8 supercar to gauge reaction. Now, Audi has made this a permanent production model, sitting alongside the quattro derivatives.

There's something odd about quattro purveyors Audi announcing a rear-wheel-drive version of the R8 supercar. We've grown fond of the R8's quattro setup which provides phenomenal grip but allows playful driving antics. Now there's a rear-wheel drive model, which shares the same screaming 5.2-litre V10.

Packing 397 kW and 540 Nm, with power going to the rear wheels, the Audi R8 V10 RWD is capable of 0-100 kph in 3.7 seconds and it'll run to a top speed of 320 kph. There's also a Spyder version which boasts 3.8 seconds and 318 kph for acceleration and top speed respectively. The vehicle comes with a 7-speed S Tronic gearbox as well as a mechanical locking differential. Activate sport mode and the Audi R8 V10 RWD will allow "controlled drifting", according to Audi. Due to the deletion of the front driveshaft, quattro multi-plate clutches and front differential, this version of the R8 is 65 kg lighter than the equivalent quattro model.

 
532 HP (397 KW) Audi R8 V10 RWD Revealed

Audi told the world last year that it would not consider another non-Quattro version of the Audi R8 but here we are with the all-new R8 V10 RWD.

This time around, it’s a permanent member of the R8 lineup and won’t be limited to 999 examples like its predecessor. As you may have noticed, the name has also changed from RWS (Rear Wheel Series) to RWD (Rear Wheel Drive), which actually makes a lot more sense.

It is based on the facelift and is available in both a Coupe and Spyder forms packing 532 hp (397 kW) and 540 Nm of torque. This is sent to the rear axle through a seven-speed S-tronic transmission and a mechanical locking differential. This setup allows the Coupe to spring to 100 km/h in 3.7 seconds and the Spyder in 3.8 seconds with both topping out at 318 km/h.

So how do you know it is an R8 V10 RWD you are looking at? The top blade is designed in glossy mythos black, while the bottom blade is painted in the colour of the vehicle. The front blade, the side sill inserts and the diffuser are painted in gloss black as standard. The carbon styling package and, for the Spyder, an extended black styling package are available as an alternative. Kemora gray has been added to the colour chart. As an option, the Audi rings and logo are painted in high-gloss black. Inside, the driver and passenger sit in sport seats covered in leather and Alcantara. A shiny badge with the “RWD” logo is fitted across from the front passenger.

 
Rear-driven Audi R8 made full-time member of range

Last year's limited-edition RWS has received a makeover and been welcomed into the R8 range as the RWD

Audi has expanded its R8 line-up by making a rear-wheel-drive variant a full-time member for the first time.

The limited-edition V10 RWS was released in 2018 as the first ever rear-driven R8. That model comprises the basis of the new car, which is named the V10 RWD and will be available to order in the UK from January 2020.

The supercar, which will be available in both Coupé and Spyder forms, features several key changes from the limited-production RWS. Audi's signature front grille has been made broader and flatter, while the air inlets, front splitter and air outlet grille at the rear have been made wider.

Gloss black exterior trim now comes as standard, with the R8's top side blade receiving a dark gloss accent. Various other parts also gain black detailing. The Audi rings don't receive the black effect as standard, but this can be specified as an option. A carbon package is also on offer, while a more extensive black styling package is available on the Spyder.

 
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