2009 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro
December 9, 2008 by Alborz Fallah
As if a 4.2-litre V8 in the R8 wasn’t enough, Audi has announced plans to do what everyone hope they would, put a “similar” engine from a Lamborghini in the R8. Say hello to the 5.2-litre V10 Audi R8.
The 5.2-lire engine, which was originally designed jointly between Audi and Lamborghini is similar to the one found in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4. The Audi variant puts out an impressive 386 kW (at 6,500 rpm) and 530 Nm of torque (at 8,000 rpm). Convinietly it produces 26kW and 10Nm less than its Italian brother.
Much like Porsche which has a variant to satisfy the needs of all potential customers, Audi (which belongs to the same set of companies as Porsche, Lamborghini, Volkswagen etc) has created a car which sits just below the LP 560-4.
The mid-engined supercar provides an axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent and can generate up to 1.2g during lateral acceleration. The power is delivered via 19-inch wheels, 235/35 front and 295/30 rear.
Similar to the Lamborghini, the R8 is driven via Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system and constructed from a lightweight aluminium body (the body only weighs 210 kilograms).
However unlike the Gallardo, which is starting to show its age, the R8’s destinctive innovative all-LED headlights and overall exterior design really hit a sweet spot with all of us here at CarAdvice. The R8 V10 (R10?) catapults from 0 to 100 km/h in a breathtaking 3.9 seconds, 0.2 second slower than the LP 560-4. It has a top speed of 316km/h – 9km/h less than the Lambo!
From 316 km/h eight brake pistons at the front (380 millimetres) and four at the rear (356 millimetres) bring the German to a stop. For those that want more, the V10 R8 is can be optioned out with a ceramic brake system. Not only do they result in much better consistent braking but they also weigh nine kilograms less than the equivalent steel disks. Audi says the Ceramic brakes will last around 300,000 kilometres.
Pricing is still unconfirmed but no doubt it will sit well below its Lamborghini brother. The company says deliveries of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will begin in Europe from the second quarter of 2009. An Australian release date is still to be officially announced.
Tags: Audi R8
I would still buy a Gallardo…
I love it!
Still prefer the V12 TDi though :)
i would love this car but i just cant get past that black strip thay have in front of the back wheels .It makes it look like a strected limo type look. can you get them with out that black pice in the middle
“R8 V10 (R10?)”
I doubt they will call it the R10. The name R8 is in honor of their R8 racecar that dominated Le Mans from 2000-2005 only losing in 2003 (to the Bentley Speed 8 (which was heavily developed by Audi Sport and Joest Racing and used an engine based on the R8’s. It has infact been nicknamed the R9)) and has nothing to do with the number of cylinders. The R8 V12TDI is more likely to be called the R10 as it is in honor of the R10 racecar. This will probably be called the R8 V10 or the RS8.
History and legacy aside… I love the R8. It looks great and from what I’ve heard drives great. This should be even better and I’d love to own one. Although I doubt the girlfriend and bank account would approve…
You guys can call it what you like, I just want to call it MINE!!!!!!!!!! :-)
Im with you TopDog, it looks good but damn those coloured strips up the side look ugly.
A V12 Diesel version could very possibly be next but I was in the market for a supercar I would spend the extra and buy something else.
I would definitely have an R8; I love the look of it – it looks better than a Veyron [with its 80's Style Two Tone Paint].
Yet given that Porsche own VW Audi and Bugatti; why don’t they try shoe-horning the Veyron engine into the Audi R8…. afterall they stuck a W-12 engine into a Golf. along with Volkswagens DSG Gearbox
Shame on you who don’t like the carbon fibre sideblades! They look HAWN!
Lucky for you, though, they’re an option that comes at some considerable expense. Seven grand or so IIRC. You can order the sideblades in pretty much any colour you desire.
I like the bare carbon fibre sideblades. But yeah, you can get them painted to match the rest of the car.
And Wheelnut they wouldn’t be able to shoe-horn the W16 into the audi even if they tried. In order to shoe-horn the V12TDI in they had to remove the parcel shelf behind the seats and it still barely fits. There just isn’t any more room for engine so they would have to make a bigger car and that would just throw off the balance too much.
Subtle changes make a fine car!
Acilk – Who give a stuff what its called, its ace. Having seen a few in the flesh now I’m sold. Forget any old 911 this is way out there.
Quite simply – my dream car
@ Acilk: V12 has 6 cylinder length while the W16 has only 4 cylinder length. So length wise it shouldn’t be a problem. It’s just like saying if a car can accomodate a straight 6, it can accomodate a V8 (BMW Hamman), as long as it has enough width space.
CA says:
“Convinietly it produces 26kW and 10Nm less than its Italian brother.”
Convinietly? What in the hell is that? You guys really need to sharpen up your spelling if you want to be credible journos.
That’s true Ivan… I don’t know how much room it has width wise so who knows… maybe it is possible.
I’m definitely going to order mine with the ceramic brakes.
I’m sure I’ll see 300,000ks in only a few months, and would hate to be in the service shop every 5 mins for standard brake replacements………
I wonder if any of these would ever see 300,000ks?.
Pretty much everything in the Porsche group is sooooo desirable, including this :)
Very nice slick car love the interior with all the carbon fibre BUT, i would still spend me couple of bucks on a Lambo Gallarado LP560-4 in black with red & black carbon fibre…slickk..or a 430 Scuderia black..or a Black Maserati Granturismo S MC Sportline…..yep…thats what ill get….
CA/Wheelnut, Porsche doesn’t own VW – yet. As late as Monday it was announced that Porsche have delayed their total takeover due to the current economic slump. Also, Porsche earns approx 6 times more from its stake in VW than it does from sale of its own product. Therefore, if VW sales slump Porsche’s earnings will drop accordingly – possible not leaving it enough money to take total control of VW.
Anyways, back on track; Like R1, I’d take any of the group’s products, if only I could!