Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, there's no question the Audi R8 is about as close to an Italian supercar as any German vehicle can get. Unfortunately, it seems Audi's V10 R8 prototype has inherited a less-than-desirable trait known to Italian supercars — catastrophic engine fires.
While the base R8 has a good old-fashioned German V8, a more powerful version under development features a Lamborghini V10 powerplant. Since Gallardos are generally not noted for engine fires, we don't think prospective R8 V10 owners will have anything to worry about, once engineers work out all the bugs.
The test driver was not hurt. See gallery below.
V10 power on the way
More air will be fed to the ten-cylinder through larger side scoops, which jut out sharply from the body-side, adding a more aggressive stance to go with its increased power. The lower side sill also gets an extra flare which runs along the wheelbase, adding further visual cues that this is the true uber-Audi. The changes are subtle enough to be obvious only to those in-the-know, thus keeping the R8's clean lines as uncluttered as possible.
Naming mystery
Some reports speculate that the new engine could also bring about a
name adjustment — upgrading the R8 moniker to R10 — but nothing has been announced officially.
There has also been speculation about Audi using the "RS8" badge, but this seems highly unlikely due to the confusion it would create with respect to the A8 and S8 lines. What's more, calling the vehicle RS8 would prevent Audi from creating a more powerful version of the S8 at some point in time.
The most likely names, therefore, are R10 and or R8 S — similar to TT S.
More power
As for power, the two additional cylinders should add somewhere around 80 horsepower to the 420 hp produced by the R8's V-8 engine.
Early word suggested that Audi would detune its V10 — which is largely shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo — keeping it below 500 horsepower, so as not to upstage the Lambo. However, with the introduction of Lamborghini's Gallard Superleggera (which is pumped up to 522 hp), the R8's V10 may actually reach the 500 horsepower mark.
April 9th, 2007
April 5th, 2007
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