Text: BEBOP | Translation: dilettante
Photo: Kimio, Anthony
‘R8’ is certainly not just a code for AUDI lovers. Whether it is the prototype for LE MANS, or regular models, it makes all the difference with the endorsement of the code ‘R8’.
‘THE 24 HOURS LE MANS’, ‘FORMULA ONE’ and ‘WRC’ (WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP) are the most important car races, famous for challenging the contestants’ longevity and power limit. They are the ultimate test on the engine, tyre and overall stability of the car. Therefore car manufacturers take advantage of these occasions to test and showcase their latest creations.
R8 has two identities in the AUDI family. In year 2000, AUDI created R8 based on the R8R and R8C models which took part in LE MANS 1999. This turned out to be the LMP (LE MANS Prototype) winning the highest score overall in the race ground. BMW and TOYOTA left LE MANS to take part in FORMULA ONE; MERCEDES-BENZ entered DTM Race instead; NISSAN suffered from financial issue and withdrew from the race ground. That left AUDI, PANOZ and CADILLAC (the new comer) for year 1999 – 2000. Since its debut, R8 won five championships out of six years. AUDI made record for winning the championship and two runners up for year 2000 and 2002.
AUDI invested in R8 heavily, with tremendous rewards in return. Taking advantage of the LE MANS race ground, constant improvements with the toughest condition in mind have perfected the technology of R8. FSI (FUEL STRATIFIED INJECTION), for example, is one of the best kept secret of AUDI. A revolutionary achievement, which means fuel is injected into the combustion chamber at a suitable pressure. A perfect balance between performance and fuel consumption, this is a step forward for fuel engines.
LE MANS is a proof that FSI is applicable to regular models. When AUDI won the championship and the two runners up in season 2001/02, MARTIN WINTERKORN (director of AUDI AG) commented ‘FSI is a fine example of the technology interchanging between race cars and one-off cars.’
The three consecutive championships in 2000 – 2003 materialise AUDI LE MAN QUATTRO in the FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW in 2003. The last concept car from AUDI, it embodies inheritance from the former models PIKE PEAK QUATTRO and NUVOLARI.
AUDI made an announcement towards end of 2005 that it is going to develop a limited edition of R8 based on LE MANS QUATTRO. It will also be named after LE MAN Prototype.
For AUDI, R8 is the stepping stone into the super race car territory. With body of the car in aluminum alloy, it reduces the weight yet more durable. The 56:44 ratio gives R8 almost perfect balance. 4.2Liter V8 FSI engine provides maximum horse power 420hp/7800rpm and maximum torsion 43.8kgm/3500 – 7600. With the help of ‘R-TRONIC’ GEARBOX (SINGLE-CLUTCH SEMI-AUTOMATIC SEQUENTIAL MANUAL) and QUATTRO systems, it only takes 4.6 seconds for R8 to accelerate between 0 – 100km/h, with maximum speed hitting 301km/h. Chassis system and related parts are also adjusted. Aluminum double wishbones making the chassis more durable, with AUDI magnetic ride enabling R8 to respond to the condition with greater sensitivity and accuracy.
AUDI announced that LED (LIGHT EMITTING DIODE) will be fully applicable in PARIS MOTOR SHOW 2007. They will also be the first manufacturer to product LED headlights. That also applies to third brake light, brake light and tail light. LED is first used in 1992, in third brake light. According to the average product lifespan, LED lasts even longer than a regular car itself.
In 2006, R10 TDI official replaced R8 and won the championship in LE MANS. Its diesel fuel engine drew concern for it is still far from being popular. FSI, TDI diesel engine and LED lighting system are all pointing us towards the future.
In North American International Auto show in 2008, AUDI presented R8 TDI LE MANS with V12 TDI diesel fuel engine. After fine tuning under severe condition, it is brought to the attention of the mass market.
R8 with V10 engine is currently work-in-progress. Overheated engine caused an accident in Nürburgring, leaving a scar on the otherwise clean slate of the R8 evolution history.
Six months later, a matt black RB V10 prototype made appearance at ‘The Ring’ again. Quattro GmbH, the innovation department of Audi, especially instored a mini fire extinguisher behind its door mirror. Audi presented two new models with diesel engine in a roll, namely R8 V12 TDI CONCEPT and R8 V12 TDI Le Mans, at North American International Auto Show (Jan 2008) and GENEVA INTERNATIONAL AUTOMOBILE SHOW (Mar 2008). Although still a baby in the super race car world, Audi has created quite some ‘monster machines’, bringing undeniable significance to the definition, aesthetic and more to ‘speed machines’.
AUDI R8
www.audi.com
