2012 Audi R8

2012 MY Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder

Herndon, Va., August 15, 2011 — Audi performance and racing knowledge are exemplified in the engineering work of art known as the Audi R8. Available in four versions aside from the limited-edition Audi R8 GT, the R8 provides the exhilaration sought by enthusiasts and automotive purists alike.
The Audi R8 is available as both a Coupe and Spyder, with each style offering two levels of power – a 4.2-liter FSI® V8 or a 5.2-liter FSI V10. The V8 generates 430 hp at 7,900 rpm, with 316 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 – 6,000 rpm, while the 5.2 liter achieves 525 hp at 8,000 rpm with 391 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. Either version can be paired with a manual or automatic R tronic® transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The R tronic provides extremely quick shifting and can be controlled by paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Audi launch control also is featured with the R tronic, allowing for faster starts by controlling slip. The quattro® all-wheel-drive system is standard and ensures additional grip for all driving situations and surfaces.




The R8 Spyder delivers a holistic exterior design with integrated side air intakes that replace the sideblades in order to accommodate the soft top roof. The soft top opens and closes neatly in 19 seconds at up to speeds of 31 mph. The soft top enables tighter packaging when folded and lowers the center of gravity versus a hard top convertible design. The cover for the top is made of a carbon fiber composite, further reducing weight, while triple layer insulation minimizes cabin noise and insulates against cold and heat. The heated rear glass window is integrated into the bulkhead and can be raised and lowered via a switch. An aluminum optic A-pillar and windshield surround add a unique design element visible primarily when the top is down.

The interior of the R8 fully complements the exterior. Sleek and artful, the most
prominent feature of the R8 interior is the monoposto design that features a large arch sweeping around the dashboard. With the wheels pushed to far corners of the R8, its maximized wheelbase provides a comparatively generous amount of interior space.



The R8 features advanced technologies for which Audi has become known, including
available Audi MMI®, available Audi MMI Navigation plus, and an available Bang &
Olufsen® Sound System. The Bluetooth® microphone of the Spyder is integrated into the seatbelt to minimize wind noise while speaking via the Bluetooth system.

ASF construction increases stability and provides an extremely rigid body shell, plus specially constructed front and rear energy absorbing zones provide protection in the event of a collision. ESC contributes to stability, and vehicle occupants are protected by a full complement of air bags, including front, seat and chest side, and knee airbags. A tire pressure monitoring system ensures that owners are warned if pressure falls below a preset threshold.

Model Retail Price
R8 4.2 quattro (V8) coupe (manual) $114,200
R8 4.2 quattro (V8) coupe (R tronic) $123,300
R8 5.2 quattro (V10) coupe (manual) $149,000
R8 5.2 quattro (V10) coupe (R tronic) $158,100
R8 5.2 GT quattro (V10) coupe (R tronic) $196,800
R8 4.2 quattro (V8) Spyder (manual) $127,700
R8 4.2 quattro (V8) Spyder (R tronic) $136,800
R8 5.2 quattro (V10) Spyder (manual) $162,700
R8 5.2 quattro (V10) Spyder (R tronic) $171,800
Destination and delivery charge for R8 models is $1250.

Source - Audi

The Audi R8, Audi R8 Spyder, Audi R8 GT and Audi R8 GT Spyder

The R8, the high-performance sports car from Audi, is a high-tech work of art with the formidable power of its engines, the quattro permanent all-wheel drive and its lightweight Audi Space Frame (ASF) body made of aluminum. The good everyday practicality and top quality typical of Audi complete the profile of this model athlete.

Body and interior
The forward-thrust cockpit and the engine compartment behind it are key to the proportions of the R8. Large wheel wells and hungry air inlets visualize its potential, while the upright sideblade structures the flank. LED headlights are standard in ten-cylinder R8 models and available as an option for the eight-cylinder version.

The body of the R8 is largely hand-built at the craft-scale production shop at the Neckarsulm site. Featuring an aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF), it tips the scales at just 210 kilograms (462.97 lb) – ultra-lightweight construction in the extreme. The fully-enclosed diffuser underbody and the rear spoiler that slides out automatically help ensure that the R8 generates downforce at high speeds.

The key element of the interior is the monoposto, a large arc sweeping around the dashboard instruments. The relatively long wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft) allows for generous interior space. There is space for two golf bags behind the seats, and the luggage compartment under the front hatch offers an additional 100 liters (3.53 cu ft) of storage capacity. The R8 5.2 FSI quattro comes standard with Fine Nappa leather appointments, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and the navigation system plus. The optional bucket seats from the Audi exclusive range exude concentrated racing style.

Drive
Two high-tech engines are available for the Audi R8. Both reflect the wealth of expertise which helped to fuel Audi's numerous racing triumphs. The V8 and the V10 combine FSI gasoline direct injection with dry sump lubrication and a high-revving concept. Both captivate with their power, their responsiveness and their musical sound. The eight-cylinder unit launches the R8 from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.6 seconds en route to a top speed of 302 km/h (187.65 mph). The V10 is a touch faster, with a time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph).

Engine lineup:

• 4.2 FSI quattro with 316 kW (430 hp)

• 5.2 FSI quattro with 386 kW (525 hp)

The engines' power flows to either a six-speed manual transmission or the R tronic controlled in this case via either a joystick on the center console or paddles on the steering wheel. The automatic transmission changes gears extremely fast, and the launch control program enables the Audi R8 to make stunningly fast starts with perfectly controlled slip.

The quattro permanent all-wheel drive is tailored to the mid-engine concept with a rear-biased axle load distribution, sending roughly 85 percent of the power to the rear wheels in the standard distribution. The heart of the system is a viscous coupling at the front axle, which can transfer up to 30 percent of the torque to the front within milliseconds, if needed.

Chassis
The chassis of the Audi R8 is just as well suited for blasting through corners as it is for casual cruising. Aluminum double wishbones locate the wheels up front and at the back. The setup for the R8 with V10 engine is somewhat stiffer than for the R8 4.2 FSI. The top model comes standard with 19-inch wheels. All four floating brake discs are internally vented and perforated. A total of 24 pistons clamp down on them.

The optional carbon fiber-ceramic brakes are extremely lightweight, strong, and durable. The Audi magnetic ride adaptive shock absorber system is standard in the R8 5.2 FSI quattro and an option with the V8.

The Audi R8 Spyder
The open-top high-performance sports car is a favorite with the public and experts alike. Its most recent successes include category victories in the 'Auto Trophy' from Auto Zeitung and being voted among 'The Best Cars of 2011' by the readers of auto motor und sport magazine.

The Audi R8 Spyder has its own unique touches. It does not include the storage space behind the seats and sideblades on the flanks. The rear side panels and the large cover over the compartment for the top are made of a carbon-fiber composite. Two cowls extending to the spoiler lip give the long back of the car a powerful profile.

Typically Audi, the top is made of cloth, which keeps the total weight and the vehicle's center of gravity low. It requires little space when open and harmonizes ideally with the design line when closed. With the standard hydraulic motor, the soft top opens and closes within 19 seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). It is perfectly suitable for high-speed driving on the highway and is very quiet.

The separate wind deflector can be installed in just two steps. The heated glass rear window is integrated into the bulkhead separately and can be raised and lowered via a switch. The bulkhead also includes integrated rollover protection. The Spyder's ASF body is reinforced in key areas, yet weighs just six kilograms (13.23 lb) more than that of the R8 Coupé.

The leather seats of the open two-seater are specially pigmented to reduce heating as a result of the sun's rays. Among the other options is the seatbelt microphone for the hands-free unit, which makes it possible to talk on the phone with the top down on the highway. Integrated into the belts are three small microphones; a fourth is mounted on the windshield frame. The seat belt microphone is also available for the R8 Coupé.

Engine lineup:


• 5.2 FSI quattro with 386 kW (525 hp)

The Audi R8 GT and the R8 GT Spyder
Even lighter, more powerful and faster than ever – the Audi R8 GT and the recently introduced R8 GT Spyder are the exclusive top models of the R8 family. Hand-built in a limited production run of just 333 units each, the coupe was already sold out long ago.

The 5.2-liter V10 with direct injection has been boosted to an output of 412 kW (560 hp). Exhaustive fine-tuning has reduced the R8 GT Coupé's curb weight by 100 kilograms (220.46 lb) to 1,525 kilograms (3,362.05 lb), thus improving the power-to-weight ratio to 2.72 kilograms (6.00 lb) per hp. The soft-top R8 GT Spyder also demonstrates the Audi ultra-lightweight construction concept. Here the corresponding values are minus 85 kilograms (187.39 lb), 1,640 kilograms (3,615.58 lb) and 2.93 kilograms (6.46 lb) per hp.

The R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (198.84 mph). The Spyder needs two-tenths of a second more for the standard sprint and tops out at 317 km/h (196.97 mph).

Engine lineup:

Source - Audi