Wednesday 3rd December 2008

R8 gets V10 Power

Launch date for beefier R8 is finally announced

---

The highly anticipated V10 powered version of Audi’s R8 will be officially revealed at the Detroit motor show in January, according to latest reports from the US.

Car and Driver magazine says the new variant will use a version of the Lambo Gallardo’s V10 making 520bhp with 398 lb-ft of torque, generating a performance increase to make the R8 a more credible player in the exotic sector.

Although the V8 version of the car will reportedly remain on sale alongside the V10, there is speculation that it may be quietly dropped in the not too distant future. Meanwhile, you’ll be able to spot V10 versions of the new model by its dual wide-mouth tailpipes (the R8 has quad pipes) and probably a unique wheel design.

The V10 launch comes ahead of the launch of the R8 Spyder, possibly slated for the Geneva motor show in March 2009 – with sales starting in the latter half of the year. Although rumours have abounded that the Spyder – whose name has yet to be officially confirmed – would be a targa-topped roadster, Car and Driver claims it will be a full convertible with a powered fabric roof. The design will also differ from the coupe by losing the carbon fibre ‘side blades’, the latest reports say.

[spoonoff]

Sneaking suspicion that the V8 model might still be the better car...

[Wammer]

Shouldn't the new car be called the R10

[Mr Whippy]

Why drop the V8 one?

Not keen on those exhausts either, they look a bit 'normal'

Hey ho, will sound good, not that the old one lacked there... and go a bit quicker.

Dave

[jon-]

Finally a use for my registration "V10 WOO"... now only if i could afford a V10 R8. Awwww Anyone want it?

Hopefully this will knock down the prices of the v8 R8 further into my grasp...

[taldo50]

i havent driven one, obviously being a pauper. but i find these very numb to look at like a lot of the audi range. If someone can tell me that theyre thrilling to drive and thus balance the bland-ness of their looks and interior i will happily retract my comment!

[TonyHetherington]

Wammer said:

Shouldn't the new car be called the R10

An A8 with V10 is still called an A8, so I dont think so.

Besides, the R10 is the LeMans car isnt it ?

[IMI A]

I was hoping it would get the same twin turbo V10 as the RS6. Could have perhaps tempted me out 17 yrs porker ownership. They audi group marketeers don't want to blow Lambo G cosuin in to weeds

[Jim V-6]

"The design will also differ from the coupe by losing the carbon fibre ‘side blades’,"

Good, They look hideous on the coupe.

[Matthew_Eames]

But you would just buy the nearest price Lambo wouldn't you (even if it's preowned)......Audi or Lamborghini. hmm thats a tough choice
On the upshot, I would think that a fair majority of the current R8 ownders will now all sell their V8 models for the V10, so a good time to pick up the older on on the 2nd hand market surely (mine will be a V8 vantage though thanks....not as acomplished I know)

[triggersbroom]

It had to eventually happen, and probably a good decision to put this engine in.

It's all down to supply/demand as to whether they continue with both engines or not. Time will tell.

If the sales aren't there for one particular engine, it will be dropped - no question.

[White-Noise]

TonyHetherington said:

Wammer said:

Shouldn't the new car be called the R10

An A8 with V10 is still called an A8, so I dont think so.

Besides, the R10 is the LeMans car isnt it ?

Exactly - thats what I was going to say. Are we taking bets on when the diesel R10 is released?

[noogie]

Audi's names are weird, the R8 (also a Le Mans racer don't forget) was a V8, but will now also be a V10, the R10 is a V12 and the forthcoming R15 will be a V10!! Also, this seems a little silly as they will now be in even more direct competition with Lambo! I understand the supply/demand logic but they should have thought of that before releasing the R8 in the first place. When are they going to do the V12 TDi R8? That will be unique and Audi can claim to be the first (real) producers of a diesel supercar as well as a more obvious tie-in with their Le Mans programme. The V12 TDi R8 would be stupidly fast as well as a unique power delivery - the Q7 with the same engine manages 0-60 in about 5 seconds!!

[noumenon]

So if the R8 gets a 520bhp V10, what will the lambo get to keep it ahead?

[Try5t]

noumenon said:

So if the R8 gets a 520bhp V10, what will the lambo get to keep it ahead?

Its already had its update - 560 ... expect a stripped out lightweight version next with about 580-590 i`d wager ..

[BT52]

noogie said:

When are they going to do the V12 TDi R8?

Hopefully never.
My blood boils at the contrived favoured-by-the-rules nonsense that is the diesel Le Mans car. A road related car would only make the mistake of giving them yet more undeserved credibility.

Edited by BT52 on Wednesday 3rd December 12:51

[Rob ST]

Credit Crunch What Credit Crunch!!!! V10's for everybody!!

[Alfanatic]

Try5t said:

noumenon said:

So if the R8 gets a 520bhp V10, what will the lambo get to keep it ahead?

Its already had its update - 560 ... expect a stripped out lightweight version next with about 580-590 i`d wager ..

Might the Gallardo inherit the twin turbo RS6 motor mentioned earlier perhaps? Problem then is they'd need to give the Murcielago a rocket motor..

I also think Audi would be better served by releasing the R10 diesel. It's unique in the market and not directly competitive with the Gallardo, badge status not withstanding.

[timewatch]

Great one this, AUDI engines get bigger and MERCEDES engines get smaller-----hmmm !

Whos got it right ?

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

TW>>>

[Streetrod]

According to my dealer the starting price is going to be £100700. He was not able to give me any indication as to the standard spec when I complained about the fact that every thing was an option on the R8 V8. He said that many customers had moaned about this and was hoping that Audi would take notice. Great car but Audi's spec policy sucks on what is a halo car.

[aeropilot]

IMI A said:

I was hoping it would get the same twin turbo V10 as the RS6.

Indeed.....you would think this idea would have been more in tune with Audi's turbo heritage.....and thus differentiating it from the n/a Lambo V10 versions which are more in keeping with Lambo heritage.