EVO Pits the Audi RS6 Avant against the R8 to see which is Fastest

British car magazine EVO has tested two of the most desirable Audi’s of our time, the RS6 Avant and the R8 to find out which is the fastest; the 580HP V10-powered family orientated estate or the 420HP mid-engined supercar. Officially, the German automaker claims that both cars post identical 0-62mph (100km/h) and 0-124mph (200km/h) times of 4.6 sec and 14.9 sec respectively, but let’s see what the GPS receivers of the VBOX had to say about that.

In terms of sprint times, the R8 is faster than the RS6 Avant up to 90mph as it needs 4.1 to go from zero to 60 (96km/h) and 8.0 sec to 90mph (145km/h) while the RS6 Avant stopped the clock at 4.3 and 8.3 sec respectively. From 90mph and above, the RS6 takes the lead sprinting from 0 to 120mph (193 km/h) in 13.8 sec and to 150mph (241 km/h) in 23.0 sec (R8: 14.6 and 25.0 sec respectively). The two cars manage to achieve the same time of 12.7 sec in the quarter mile sprint. -Continued

However, the R8 proves to be the ‘king’ of in-gear times crushing the RS6 Avant: 50-70mph in fourth takes 3.4 sec -0.3 sec less than the RS6, while 110-130mph in sixth gear, 7.2 sec or a whopping 2.6 sec faster than the Avant. Same goes for stopping power as the R8 came to a standstill from 100mph (160 km/h) in 4.1 sec and 289.9 ft compared to the RS6 Avant’s 4.3 sec and 299.4 ft.

EVO also tested the two range-topping Audis on the Bedford Autodrome race track. Once again, the R8 proved to be faster with a lap time of 1:26.5, or 1.4 sec less than the RS6 Avant.

So overall, it’s safe to say that the R8 is the quickest -and apparently the more rewarding from a driver’s point of view. But, before you make any judgments, just hold on a minute and think about this; we’re talking about a luxurious, full size station wagon that combines supercar-like performance and enough space to haul your entire family and a fortnight’s worth of luggage…

Via: EVO -Opening Picture Edited by Auto Cars 2011

Audi R8 GT3 Race Version with 500+ HP and Rear-Wheel-Drive!

For the first time in its history, Audi is offering customers the chance to buy a racing sports car in the form of the GT3 version of the R8 coupe. "The R8 is the first production Audi bearing the name and genes of a successful racing sportscar and is therefore an excellent base from which to build up our first big customer sport program,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. "Ever since the R8 was unveiled we’ve been inundated with enquiries about a race version.” Available for order from autumn 2009, the R8 GT3 will be able to participate in numerous national and international race series.

Given that the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive, Audi’s race-spec sportscar comes with a rear-wheel-drive powertrain. The German automaker hasn’t given out all the details yet, but it did say that the mid-engined R8 GT3 will deliver more than 500 HP from the modified V8 engine. Power will be transmitted to the rear wheels via a newly developed six-speed sequential sports gearbox while the suspension will use almost exclusively components from the production model. -Continued

As you can see in the pictures, Audi has developed a full aerodynamic bodykit for the R8 GT3 that includes a modified front end and a large rear-wing to generate the required downforce. The R8 GT3 will also feature the necessary safety equipment to guarantee the well being of the driver in the case of an accident. The first test races of the race-prepped R8 in various European racing series are scheduled for the 2009 season.

Audi Proposes R8 Spyder Car Cover for Unhappy BMW and Mercedes Owners

From the creators of last year's R8 V10 garage door decal promo, comes this new advertising project for Audi. This time, creative advertising agency Lowe Roche, came up with a groovy Audi R8 Spyder car cover aimed at BMW and Mercedes-Benz owners who are disappointed with their vehicles, as well as the rest of us who can't afford [...] Ingolstadt's flagship roadster model.

Here's the description from Lowe Roche's webpage: "Don’t have an Audi R8 Spyder? Now you can pretend to have one. Trick your neighbors, and best of all, trick yourself into thinking you have the car of your dreams. Perfect for the BMW or Mercedes owner in your life filled with regret."

Is it just me, or does the wording make the description sound overly conceited?

Source: Lowe Roche

Unholy Tuning: Audi R8 Sedan Based on A8 Limo

If you were ever wondering what an actuall Audi R8 sports sedan would look like, sorry to say, you're out of luck. However, if by any twisted chance you're interested in finding out what would happen if a first-generation A8 and R8 got naughty in bed, scroll down and check out the rest of the photos. According to the forum members of the Audizine site, the R8-wannabe sports sedan was snagged outside Hooters (now, why aren't we surprised...) in Montreal, Canada.

Source: Audizine

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Eisenmann Takes a Shot at the Audi R8 with "Spark Eight"

Eisenmann is mostly known for its performance exhaust systems, but the German company has now presented a comprehensive tuning package for the Audi R8 sports car. It's called the "Spark Eight" and it features full-blown carbon aerodynamic kit finished in a light grey color, along with some other goodies, such as new alloy wheels, a tweaked chassis and, of course, a new exhaust system.

All good news thus far, but these new toys aren't for everyone, as in they're not exactly what you'd call cheap. Then again, the R8 isn't either. Let's take the wheels, for instance: the 19 inch rims, shod in 235/35 (front) and 315/30 (rear) tires, will set you back $10,242 (or 7,300 euros). But wheels are nothing without proper shock absorbers and springs, so time to add another $5,402 (3,850 euros) to your invoice.

By the time you go through the entire list (front and rear spoiler, front splitter, cooled brakes, rear diffuser, exhaust), the total amount comes close to $50,000 (35,210 euros).

Now that's what I call a shopping spree.

By Csaba Daradics

Via: Germancarscene

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Audi to Participate at the SEMA Show for the First Time, Displays include 710HP R8 Spyder

There's a first time for everything. For Audi, it's SEMA as this year's edition of the show will mark the brand's first ever factory-backed appearance at the annual tuning extravaganza in Las Vegas.

In addition to its lineup of after sales and electronics products, Audi will put on display six-vehicles including the driver-less Autonomous Audi TTS Pikes Peak and a customized R8 Spyder tuned by STaSIS Engineering. The latter is equipped with a 5.2-liter supercharged V10 engine delivering 710-horsepower and 523 lb-ft of torque, and can complete the 0 to 60mph [96 km/h] sprint in 3.1 seconds.

"We're thrilled to be a part of the SEMA experience, and look forward to turning heads with our vehicles, demonstrations, and a sophisticated lineup of After Sales and electronics products that enhance connectivity and entertainment," said David Tait, Audi's lead After Sales executive and spokesman on the SEMA project.

"Our show cars will represent the pinnacle of what owners can do with an Audi, and unleash a variety of opportunities for our vendors, as well," he added.

Though no more specific details we given about the cars, Tait said: "Let's just say we'll have a few distinctive, concept items on the stand that definitely won't disappoint the unique SEMA audience".

The 2010 SEMA Show will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada from November 2-5.

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Audi R8 GT 560HP: New Photo Gallery of Ingolstadt's Flagship Sports Car

Audi has dropped a boat load of fresh images of the hard-core version of its R8 supercar called the GT. You can read all the details in our previous post here, but as a refresher, the GT is a lighter, more powerful and faster variant of the R8.

It is powered by a modified version of the R8 V10's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter direct-injection engine producing 550-horsepower, while thanks to a series of weight-saving measures that shave about 100kg (220 lbs), the car tips the scales at 1,525 kilograms (3,362 lbs).

Audi says the R8 GT accelerates from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph), while returning a combined fuel efficiency of 13.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (16.9 US mpg).

The GT also benefits from a modified suspension, larger carbon fiber ceramic brakes, 19-inch forged alloys wrapped in 235/35 tires up front and 295/30 at the back, and numerous aero tweaks that are said to improve downforce.

All in all, Audi will produce just 331 copies of the R8 GT, each priced in Germany at €193,000 (approximately US$252,400 at the current exchange rates).