The Audi R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car, which uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German automaker Audi AG in 2006.
The car was exclusively designed, developed, and manufactured by Audi AG's high performance private subsidiary company, quattro GmbH, and is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. The fundamental construction of the R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame, and uses an aluminium monocoque which is built around space frame principles. The car is built by quattro GmbH in a newly renovated factory at Audi's 'aluminium site' at Neckarsulm in Germany.
In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007, the Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car, appearing at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show, and 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as "the best handling road car today". The Audi R8 is used as a safety car in Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters and British Superbike Championship racing series.
The R8 is due to be replaced with a brand new model in calendar year 2014. The highest output version of Audi's new 4.0 liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine is expected to power the new car. This engine is scheduled to be previewed as a detuned version in the 2012 Audi S8- with 518 hp (386 kW) on tap. In the R8 application it is expected to produce about 600 hp. Combined with an approximate 200 lb (91 kg) weight loss, the new R8 is expected to compete well with the new Porsche 991 twin turbo model and will likely perform significantly better than the current R8 GT with a 0-60 mph time in 3.2 seconds and a quarter mile in less than 11 seconds. A dual clutch automated gearbox will be offered for the first time.
Audi R8 was first launched in 2007 and, although he was successful throughout his many years on the market, Audi is preparing for its major transformation for the 2012 model year (2013 for the U.S. market). The first part of the future model suggests that the car will receive an updated exterior and interior, and more powerful engines - both V8 and V10 options. The new Audi R8, as expected, in the summer of 2012.
For the exterior, R8 will receive only minor adjustments to the new design of the headlights and the LED changes millimeter spacing. The biggest changes will be found under the hood. 5.2 liter V10 engine will be tuned to deliver 533 horsepower, up from 518 hp today, and will be combined with a new seven-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic gearbox.
As for the V8, it will be upgraded to have the same characteristics found in the S5. This means that a total of 444 horsepower, compared to 424 today HP. The company also confirmed to be updated GT and GT Spyder version.
