It's only been about a month since Audi started road and track testing of the second generation R8 super sportscar. And yet, test engineers are confident enough in their machine that they've stripped most of the heavy camouflage away, revealing the product of their labor.
It would be naive to thing his is a finished car. The front bumper, for example, is clearly not ready and we can say the same about the rear valence. And yet here it is, in all its glory. Like the TT Mk3, everybody will have trouble telling old from new until the production model is actually ready and place side by side with the old R8.
At a glance, the R8 looks wider in its tracks and longer though its wheelbase. A more planted supercar look is thus achieved. Audi's typical attention to detail will take into consideration every major component in the search for lightness. Shaving a few kilos from the chassis, a few more from the suspension and the interior will result in an R8 that's lighter by about 60 kilograms. That doesn't sound like much, but with more power it will mean the basic V10 is about as fast as the current V10 Plus.
All reports point to a both the V8 and V10 being carried over into the next generation for now. The naturally aspirated solution is always going to be the best one for a track car, but of course the R8 is not just a toy. Audi is currently working on a number of downsized mills, including a twin-turbo V6 that should go into the next RS4 and RS5 in about two years. Since the R8 V8 shares its 4.2-liter engine with those cars, it's reasonable to believe a 3-liter twin-forced-breather will be adopted.
This isn't the first time the R8 turbo was rumored, so until we actually see it, what we see is what we get. And what we see right now is an evolution of the old car.
At a glance, the R8 looks wider in its tracks and longer though its wheelbase. A more planted supercar look is thus achieved. Audi's typical attention to detail will take into consideration every major component in the search for lightness. Shaving a few kilos from the chassis, a few more from the suspension and the interior will result in an R8 that's lighter by about 60 kilograms. That doesn't sound like much, but with more power it will mean the basic V10 is about as fast as the current V10 Plus.
All reports point to a both the V8 and V10 being carried over into the next generation for now. The naturally aspirated solution is always going to be the best one for a track car, but of course the R8 is not just a toy. Audi is currently working on a number of downsized mills, including a twin-turbo V6 that should go into the next RS4 and RS5 in about two years. Since the R8 V8 shares its 4.2-liter engine with those cars, it's reasonable to believe a 3-liter twin-forced-breather will be adopted.
This isn't the first time the R8 turbo was rumored, so until we actually see it, what we see is what we get. And what we see right now is an evolution of the old car.