When I think of Audi, the first thing that comes to mind is Jason Statham in The Transporter. Recently, the sportscar maker with four rings came out with a more striking model at the Geneva Motor Show—the second-generation R8.
So what can we expect from Audi's latest R8 sports car? It's sexier than any of the Transporter cars Statham has every driven, if you ask me.
But that's just at first glance. What's the car made up of? For starters, Audi's sporty spearhead carries a V10 mid-engine and a newly developed quattro drive. On the top-of-the-range version with 610 horse power, you can go from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.2 seconds. Full throttle, the R8 hits a top speed of 330 km/h.
Audi says the sports car has been developed from the ground up, using a lightweight construction concept and a dynamic chassis with a quattro drive system that distributes torque to the front and rear axles, depending on the driving conditions, giving the car more stability and maximum traction.
Under the bonnet, the new R8 carries an aspirated V10 engine, with controllable flaps in the exhaust pipe and an optional sport exhaust system to make the car roar.
Power is transmitted to a rapid-shifting seven-speed S tronic transmission. The S tronic has three automatic modes and can also be controlled manually. The launch control system manages full-throttle acceleration from a standing start.
The look
The new Audi R8 is surprisingly 50kg lighter than its predecessor, thanks to a combination of aluminium and carbon fiber reinforced plastics.
Design-wise, the new R8 takes on a sporty look with a flat, wide and muscular look. The single-frame radiator grille with honeycomb design is a standout design.
Inside, the Audi cockpit feels like you are sitting in a race car. Bucket seats come with integrated headrest to provide support.
Digital controls are grouped together in button clusters on the steering wheel so you never have to take your hands off the wheel while driving.
When it comes to upholstery, there's a choice between Alcantara/pearl Nappa leather and fine Nappa leather. Also available are trim elements in clear coated carbon fiber, two leather packages and a new diamond stitching pattern.
As standard, the new Audi R8 V10 has 19-inch wheels with size 245/35 tires at the front and 295/35 at the rear.
Upon request, Audi is also offering 20-inch wheels for the first time in the R8.
The R8 has an electrically extending spoiler, while the R8 V10 plus comes wih a fixed wing made from CFRP.
When it comes to gas consumption, the R8 consumes an average of 11.8 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres, or a fuel consumption reduction of up to 10 per cent compared to the previous model.
How much can you customise with the R8? Plenty. There are 10 standard exterior colours to choose from and can be mixed and combined with the colours of the six blades.
There's a glossy carbon blade that is a particular highlight of the range. If you want to stand out, there's an additional matte paint finish and camouflage green.
There are also five equipment colours, and some highlights including headlining in Alcantara with dynamic diamond stitching pattern.
Specialists
Audi R8 e-tron: The electrically-powered sports car achieves a performance figure of 340 kW/462 hp and a torque of 920 Nm. It sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds. Thanks to new battery cells, the range is now more than 450 kilometres.
Audi R8 LMS: The race car was developed based on the new GT3 regulations due to come into effect worldwide from 2016. This year it will already be put through its paces at the factory. Technically speaking, it is closely related to the road version of the sports car with around 50 per cent of the same parts.
