Audi R8

By Ben Oliver

Motor Shows

28 September 2006 01:46

The lowdown

Audi has unveiled its first mid-engined sports car, the R8. The 420bhp, 4.2-litre V8-powered 911 rival will hit 188mph (or 301kph) and gets to 62mph in 4.6secs. The Lamborghini Gallardo-based supercar will cost an estimated £75,000 when it arrives in the UK in May, with the Audi R Tronic sequential manual costing an extra £5000. The UK will get 350 cars a year, with deposits already taken on the first 550.

The dry-sumped V8 sits low in the middle of the aluminium space frame chassis, producing 316lb ft of torque at 5500rpm and revving to 8250rpm, with peak power at 7600rpm. Front-rear weight distribution is 56/44, with the standard Quattro four-wheel drive system adapted for a mid-mounted engine for the first time. Suspension is by aluminium double wishbones at both ends with a conventional hydraulic steering rack. 18-inch wheels are standard, with 19s as an option.

By Ben Oliver