2016 Audi R8: All new, all speed (video)
At Geneva 2015, Audi has launched an all new R8 super car.
And truth be told, it's not that different from the car it replaces.
The vent on the front are now vertical rather than horizontal, the side plate is gone missing and the exhausts are rectangular rather than circular.
The interior has been given a feral spruce as well, taking some pretty awesome inspiration from the incredible.
TT Sports car.
Dimensionally it's 4 centimeters wider, 2 shorter and 1 lower than the old car.
It's also up to 50 kilo lighter than the car it replaces.
With a dry weight of 1454 kilo.
It's done that thanks to a new space frame and extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum.
For launch, there are two engines to choose from.
Both 5.2 liter V10s.
The base car is packing 533 brake horsepower and 398 pound fluid.
Naught to 62 takes three and a half seconds and its top speed is just a shade over 200 miles an hour.
However, if that's a bit too slow for you, you can always go for this.
The V10 plus is cracking 664 horsepower and 413 pound torque.
Naught to 62 takes 3.2 seconds it'll do knots to 124 in just under 10.
And its top speed is 205.
Miles an hour.
Pretty impressive stuff.
And all of that power goes through a jeweled clutch gear box.
No manual concerns for now.
Neither is the smaller engine V-8 or anything like that.
They will be doing a limited run of an all electric e-tron as well.
The new R-8 is looking fairly into hurricane territory.
Which makes me wonder whether Lamborghini should be a little bit.
Worry.
However, the R8 itself is a pretty legendary car.
To understand why, let's take a look back.
The original Audi R8 was something of a phenomenon.
Born of the LeMans winning R8 racer and the 2003 LeMans Quattro concept car, it showed the world that not only could Audi do a supercar.
But it could take the likes of Porsche and not come out with a bloody nose, but a bloody first.
When rumors began to spread that Audi was going to make a super car of its very own, the press and car fans all over the world went a bit.
Not the idea of sensible Audi making proper super cars was too much for some to take.
The first production R8 was revealed in 2008 and after its reveal all of the initial cars sold out within a week.
It's safe to say when it was launched the R8 was warmly received.
It shared some parts with VW Group stablemate Lamborghini's Gallardo, though to start with it was put on a back foot, given a mere 414 break horsepower 4.2 liter V8 rather than the Lambo's 5.2 liter V10.
The V8 was good, great eve but later down the line that V10 appeared as did a convertible.
As you'd expect there was a facelift, a minor power hike and tweak.
Here and there and a number of special editions.
It was, to put it politely, proper.
We drove a couple over the years, a V8 and a V10 plus and loved them both, they were comfortable, very fast and surprisingly practical.
The Lark 1 RH was a super car that had been designed by people who knew about making normal cars.
They took the bits she likes such as visibility, access, user friendliness and added them to the best bits of super cars.
Large mid-mounted engines and looks to kill.
Look at the impact the R8 had in the rest of the world as well.
As soon as it launched it became one of the hottest cars around.
Hell Iron Man drove three of them.
Now it's time for the first R8 song to end.
Its V8 can be heard in the intro sting of every XCAR video, for now, at least.
And personally, I think the V8 R8 is one of the greats, especially with a six-speed manual.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
Rolls-Royce Spectre Turns Ultraluxury Electric
Up Next
Rolls-Royce Spectre Turns Ultraluxury Electric
The Czinger 21C Is 3D-Printed and Astonishing
The Czinger 21C Is 3D-Printed and Astonishing
Porsche Pushes the 911 to New Extremes With the New GT3 RS
Porsche Pushes the 911 to New Extremes With the New GT3 RS
Porsche 911 Turbo S Takes on EVs at Pikes Peak 2022
Porsche 911 Turbo S Takes on EVs at Pikes Peak 2022
Ineos Grenadier Looks Like an Old Defender and Is Equally Robust
Ineos Grenadier Looks Like an Old Defender and Is Equally Robust
Morgan Super 3 Refines 3-Wheeled Motoring
Morgan Super 3 Refines 3-Wheeled Motoring
Aston Martin DBX707 is the most powerful luxury SUV yet
Aston Martin DBX707 is the most powerful luxury SUV yet
Audi RS E-Tron GT: An EV we want to drive long distances
Audi RS E-Tron GT: An EV we want to drive long distances
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT continues to defy convention
The 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT continues to defy convention
This classic Porsche 911 is fully electric
This classic Porsche 911 is fully electric
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
What is the Fediverse?
What is the Fediverse?
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
The Missing Piece to Apple's Eco-Friendly Mission
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
First Drive in the All-Electric 2024 Fiat 500e
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Laptop Buying Guide: What to Look For
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Boston Dynamics Retires Its HD Atlas Robot
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Taste-Testing 6 Apple Cider Vinegar Drinks
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro