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New Audi R8 V10 Ready for the Road (and Track)
Acclaimed aluminium-bodied, mid-engined Audi sports car now available with both ten and eight cylinder power
- Second R8 model powered by 5.2-litre V10 FSI petrol engine scheduled to open for UK order in January 2009 for first deliveries next spring
- Available with manual gearbox at £99,575 OTR, or with R tronic sequential shift transmission at £104,665 OTR (R8 4.2 V8 £77,405 OTR and £82,495 OTR)
- 5,204cc V10 produces 525PS at 8,000rpm and 530Nm at 6,500rpm (R8 4.2 V8 420PS at 7,800rpm, 430Nm at 4,500rpm)
- 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, top speed 196mph, combined mpg 20.6 (R8 4.2 V8 R tronic 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, top speed 187mph, combined mpg 20.7)
- Combines classic mid-engine configuration with advanced all-aluminium Audi Space Frame (ASF) construction and quattro permanent four-wheel-drive
- World’s first all-LED headlamps as standard, plus Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping and Bang & Olufsen audio system
Audi’s starter for ten – The new 525PS, 196mph Audi R8 V10 joins the highly successful V8 model in the UK in the spring of 2009 priced from £99,575 OTR
The new 5.2-litre FSI V10 petrol engine mounted longitudinally directly behind the cockpit is almost identical in construction to the unit powering the recently announced R8 LMS that will race at customer level in the GT3 class. It contributes only 31kg more to the overall weight of the all-aluminium-bodied R8 than the existing V8, taking it to 1,620kg, and making possible an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 324PS per ton.
Punching out its 525PS maximum at 8,000rpm, and peak torque of 530Nm at 6,500rpm, this exceptional and highly efficient direct injection unit rockets the R8 through the 62mph barrier in just 3.9 seconds as it revs freely to its 8,700rpm limit in each of its six ratios. When linked to the R tronic transmission it can reach 124mph in only 12 seconds, and in the right conditions can maintain its breathtaking momentum all the way to 196mph – an unprecedented high for a road-going Audi.
By mounting the ten-cylinder unit as close as possible to the centre of the R8, Audi engineers have achieved near perfect 44 per cent front / 56 per cent rear weight distribution for optimum handling balance. Dry sump engine lubrication – an element specifically derived from racing - also furthers this aim by enabling the V10 to be mounted as close to the road as possible to lower the centre of gravity.
World’s first all-LED headlights
As a further safety enhancement feature that also adds a new dimension to the already much lauded styling of the R8, the V10 is equipped as standard with the world’s first all-LED headlamps. For the first time the high intensity diodes have been used for low beam and high beam settings, as well as for daytime running lights and indicators, intensifying the sports car’s visual drama.
Audi A5 Cabriolet
Audi A5 Coupe Inspires All-New Cabriolet Range
Elegant coupe lines blend with fast-retracting soft-top to create beautiful and practical new Audi Cabriolet
- New A5 Cabriolet and S5 Cabriolet models due to open for order in early 2009 for first UK deliveries next spring – A5 OTR prices expected to start at just under £30,000, S5 at approximately £42,000
- Lightweight soft-top opens in 15 seconds and closes in 17 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph – acoustic roof option brings cabin noise close to fixed head levels
- New neck-level heating option for open-top driving on cooler days, solar heat reflecting upholstery keeps seats cool during sun exposure
- Initially available in the UK with two FSI direct injection petrol engines and one TDI diesel – 2.0 TFSI 211PS, 3.2 FSI 265PS, 3.0 TDI 240PS
- S5 adopts much praised new 3.0-litre supercharged V6 TFSI unit with 333PS in place of the familiar naturally aspirated V8
- 3.0 TDI and S5 models feature quattro four-wheel-drive as standard – other models are front-wheel-driven - 2.0 TFSI 211PS and 3.2 FSI offer quattro as an option
- Manual, S tronic twin-clutch and multitronic CVT transmissions
- Audi drive select adaptive dynamics system includes option of new quattro sport differential for selected models
Audi A5 Cabriolet
The Audi A5 with a sunnier disposition - the new A5 Cabriolet - is set to make its UK debut next spring, and will be closely followed by a new S5 Cabriolet flagship. Priced from just under £30,000, and available to order from February, the striking four-seat A5 soft-top range capitalizes on the space maximizing extended wheelbase length and state-of-the art engines, transmissions and chassis configuration that have secured success for the A5 Coupé.
Roof up or down, the A5 Cabriolet makes light work of transporting up to four adults in comfort thanks to its extended wheelbase, which helps to maximize cabin space. When the soft top is in place, a best-in-class luggage capacity of 380 litres also enables easy accommodation of luggage for four, and in topless mode the roof stowage compartment only marginally reduces this impressive total to 320 litres. Thanks to the standard split/folding rear seat back a maximum capacity of 750 litres can be accessed if required.
Supercharged S5 Cabriolet heads range
The ultimate specification will of course belong to the new S5 Cabriolet, which is due to join the UK range soon after the A5 Cabriolet models priced at approximately £42,000. The S5 will ride lower than standard versions on specially tailored ‘S’ sports suspension and 19-inch ‘S’ design alloy wheels. Aluminium-look door mirrors, Xenon plus headlights with LED daytime running lights, rear LED lamps, special ‘S’ front and rear styling treatments and black painted brake callipers bearing the S5 logo will also be distinguishing features.
The S5 adopts the very latest supercharged V6 TFSI engine, which combines an impressive 333PS power output, giving 5.6-second 0-62mph potential, with outstanding fuel economy that makes up to 29.4mpg possible (provisional figure, combined cycle). The S tronic twin-clutch transmission and quattro four-wheel-drive are standard features, the latter offering the option of the sports differential for maximum driving pleasure.