2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro launching in Detroit

Audi is launching the latest variant of its exotic R8 sports car at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The R8 will now receive a version of the V10 that powers the Gallardo.

The 5.2-litre V10 engine churns out 525 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, mated to a Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a choice of either a 6-speed manual or the generally-hated R-Tronic automanual gearbox.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro has a body made almost entirely out of aluminum. The manual version weighs 3571 lbs.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro rockets from zero to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds. In the version with the sequentially shifting R tronic it reaches 124.27 mph in another 8.1 seconds. Even then its propulsive power hardly lessens: it’s sufficient to reach a top speed of 196.35 mph. The immense force, the spontaneity and the thrust of the acceleration, plus the sound of the engine – all these impressions coalesce into a breathtaking sports car experience. The V10 plays a concert with growling bass tones and powerful high notes, which grows into a grandiose fortissimo as the engine revs up. This sonorous acceleration doesn’t reach its limit until 8,700 rpm.

The 5.2-liter powerplant uses direct injection according to the FSI principle developed by Audi. A common rail system injects the fuel into the combustion chambers with up to 120 bar of pressure. Direct injection reduces the susceptibility to knocking and provides a certain amount of cooling through the evaporation of the fuel, which in turn supports a high compression ratio of 12.5:1. This in turn contributes to superior performance and improves fuel economy. The R8 V10 with R tronic gets by on an average of 17.17 mpg.

The Audi R8 chassis supposedly achieves lateral acceleration of up to 1.2 g, and its mid-engine design provides an axle load distribution of 44:56 front/rear weight distribution.

The suspension uses dual aluminum wishbones front and rear, and 19-inch wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring display are standard equipment. Their 10-spoke Y design is exclusive to the R8 V10. Tyre sizes are 235/35 front and 295/30 rear.

The car features Audi’s magnetic ride system that adapts the characteristics of the suspension in milliseconds to the nature of the road surface and to the driving style. Suspended in the oil of the shock absorbers are tiny magnetic particles which, when a voltage is applied, rearrange themselves so as to slow down the flow of oil through the valves.

In the R8 V10, deceleration is provided by eight brake pistons at the front and four at the rear grasp the brake discs, which are ventilated and perforated to ensure unimpeded heat transfer. The brake discs on the front axle have a diameter of 15 inches, while the rear discs span 14 inches. The R8 5.2 FSI is optionally available with a ceramic brake system whose lighter discs are made of a composite material containing high-strength carbon fiber and abrasion-resistant silicon carbide.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro combines its colossal performance with a generous complement of standard equipment. Highlights include heatable seat covers made of Fine Nappa leather, LED headlamps and tails, a driver information system, the navigation system plus and the Bang & Olufsen sound system along with deluxe automatic air conditioning and an alarm system. The instruments and the gearshift knob are decorated with red rings; the footrests and the rocker switches of the R tronic have an aluminum finish.

The list of options includes other highly attractive features – such as the Audi parking system advanced with its integrated rearview camera or numerous Audi exclusive customization options. Various leather packages provide a luxurious touch, while the bucket seats from the Audi exclusive program bring a highly concentrated racing atmosphere into the R8 V10.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of about $180,000, although we believe they’ll have a hard time selling too many.

 

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