Introducing the 2008 R8. From legendary Auto Union racecars to all-conquering quattro® to the dominant R8 of Le Mans fame, one powerful idea after another. Now the time has come to gather all of these concurrent stirrings into one transcendent sports car. A vehicle that not only shines on the track, but also on everyday highways and byways. Dutch Mandel of AutoWeek put it best: “Simply, the R8 is in a class by itself.” In the winter of 2007, under bright Nevada skies, automotive journalists from around the world put the R8 to the test. Through canyons of neon. In the Valley of Fire. And round and round the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. With the pages that follow, you’ll hear from them. And from us. Our goal: A glimpse of what’s ahead for those fortunate enough to drive the incomparable Audi R8.
Consider the facts: A high-revving 420 hp V8 with race-proven dry-sump lubrication. An Audi magnetic ride suspension. An all-new quattro all-wheel drive system with rear wheel drive bias. A new-generation aluminum ASF.® The choice of a sequential manual R tronic™ or short-throw six-speed transmission. A mid-engine layout bathed in LED lights. As well as LED daytime running lights and unmistakable LED rear lights. But wait until you hear it all working as one. The new R8 does indeed roar.
With a redline of 8250 rpm, the 420 hp V8 is no ordinary power plant. After making its debut in the groundbreaking RS 4, the 4.2 became the beneficiary of dry-sump lubrication. In addition to ensuring complete fluid coverage during extreme driving, deleting the oil pan allowed us to lower the car’s center of gravity for better traction and better aerodynamics.
The car’s race-inspired monoposto and driver-oriented cockpit signals an obvious point: This is a driver’s car. The arch clearly envelops the driver from door to seat, a defined environment. From its vivid gauges to its intuitive MMI® logic to its flat-bottom steering wheel to its exquisite dials and controls, aesthetic and ergonomic excellence. After their Nevada test-drive, Tony Swan of Car and Driver summed up his impressions for the Detroit Free Press with one sentence: “This car is simply brilliant.” And then we let the talented designers from Quattro GmbH, our customization and performance arm and builder of the R8, work more magic. Spend some time with the specifications of this book and let your imagination soar. While the sound of its magnificent V8 will suffice for some, we offer the latest iteration of our growing collaboration with the audiophiles at Bang & Olufsen®: A 12-speaker, 465-watt masterpiece. Nothing less than concert-hall quality. Complete with an interior microphone that automatically compensates for outside noise.
Whether you opt for the sequential, manual and seriously quick R tronic or the gated, short-throw and Teflon-coated six-speed manual is up to you. Initial response to the R tronic has been overwhelmingly positive, claiming that it feels at home on the track and in everyday traffic. Similar praise has been directed at the six-speed manual. MSN.com, among others, has praised both its precision and smoothness. With each, our goal is to engage and finally amaze. The rest is up to you.
Transmission: Standard six-speed manual transmission. Optional R tronic™ – a direct-shift, six-speed gearbox with shift-by-wire technology. Complete with paddle shifters as well as a joystick gear lever. Combines the sportiness of a manual gearbox with the advantages of an automatic.
Suspension: Audi magnetic ride with two distinct modes, including a sport setting, that matches driving style, conditions or mood. Multiple sensors continuously monitor driving conditions and road surfaces and adjust damping within milliseconds, depending on mode chosen.
ASF®: Aluminum alloy body structure. Extreme rigidity and lightweight construction for optimal performance and driving dynamics. Beneficiary of Audi leadership in aluminum construction.
Retractable rear spoiler: Automatic extension at 65 mph* provides added downforce. Can also be manually activated by a dedicated switch.
Progressive design: Bold single-frame grille. A range of unique side blades. Full LED rear lights. Visible, illuminated engine compartment. Driver-centric cockpit with flat-bottom sport steering wheel. Optional Bang & Olufsen® Sound System with 12 speakers and 465 digitally amplified watts designed specifically for the R8. Microphone-based noise compensation ensures optimum sound under varying road conditions and speeds.
Wheels: 19-inch five double-spoke design cast alloy wheels (8.5-inch width front / 11-inch width rear) with 235/35 front and 295/30 rear summer performance tires.
