Autoblog

Report: Audi developing super lightweight R8 codenamed NF

Aaron Richardson — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Audi, Rumormill

Audi R8 NF prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has hinted that it's in the process of developing an ultra-lightweight version of the R8 codenamed NF. Revealed during a technology demonstration at its lightweight materials facility in Germany, the NF is tipped to debut around 2014.

While there are no photos of the car available, Motor Trend reports that Audi showed off an R8 V10 that had several body panels replaced with carbon fiber units that may well be related to the NF's development. When the NF breaks cover, it is expected to sport a carbon-fiber passenger compartment, with a full cf bulkhead between the occupants and the engine compartment.

Apparently, the NF will incorporate not only its own technology, but pieces from the R8 Spyder, limited-edition R8GT and E-Tron concept. Audi said the prototype at the demonstration was 20 percent lighter than the current aluminum-bodied R8, yet it maintains its structural integrity and crash worthiness. To prove their point, Audi engineers showed off a crash-tested R8 that sported cf roof rails.

Gallery: 2014 Audi R8 NF concept

[Source: Motor Trend | Images: Audi]

Report: Audi developing super lightweight R8 codenamed NF originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pay It (Fast) Forward: Man reportedly gives away his Audi R8 V10 to pair of valets

Chris Shunk — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Audi

2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 - Click above for high-res image gallery

It isn't everyday that you see a beautiful black Audi R8 V10 on the road. But it happens. What never happens is a guy driving up to you in an Audi R8 V10 and walking up to you and handing you the keys. For keeps. That was probably true before a couple weeks ago, but we can't say that is the case anymore. According to New Zealand's Independent Online, an unknown businessman has literally given the keys to his R8 to a pair of men he had never met before because he had a dream telling him to take the vehicle to Table Mountain in South Africa.

The generous man's only request was that the two men, who were given the cars because they had drivers licenses, use the German luxury vehicle to help others without wanting anything in return. To make good on their end of the bargain, Fabrice Manganga Mugala and Desire Shima are delivering food to the homeless and needy people. The two have also cut a slit into the hood of the R8 (since the engine is out back) so others can place donation money and messages therein. The slit appears to have been professionally added to the bonnet, and the inscription around the opening reads "a better future for all." We're thinking Fabrice and Desire are already reaping the benefits of a better future, and if the two pay it forward as instructed, they won't be the only ones to win out.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: Independent Online]

Pay It (Fast) Forward: Man reportedly gives away his Audi R8 V10 to pair of valets originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jan 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Our Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 cameos on The Smoking Tire

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Etc., Europe, Videos, Audi

Gimpy Matt Farah and the Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 - click above to watch the video

In front of that stunning blue Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 is the erstwhile host of The Smoking Tire and all-around good guy, Matt Farah. And while Farah might be a gifted video host, he's not the world's best snowboarder - i.e. he hosed his knee landing a snickerdoodle 720 backside grind. Or whatever the kids call them tricks. Sorry, Matt, but it's true.

But what a nightmare! The perfect car on the perfect road and he just got a pint of blood drained out of his right knee the previous day. What on earth to do? A substitute - brilliant! Get someone else to walk and talk - so to speak - like Matt. And most importantly, drive like him. But who? Who out there could possibly fill his size 12 Pilotis? We think you know where this is heading, and we think it's time for you to jump to watch the video.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2009 Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: The Smoking Tire]

Continue reading Video: Our Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 cameos on The Smoking Tire

Video: Our Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 cameos on The Smoking Tire originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Dec 2009 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Autocar pits Nissan GT-R vs. Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 V10 on Castle Combe

Chris Shunk — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Audi, Nissan, Porsche, UK

Click above to watch the video after the jump

These are our favorite kinds of car videos. Take a few super hot, fire-breathing, track-ready road cars and pit them against one another on a race track and see who wins. Autocar magazine's Steve Sutcliffe assembled the Nissan GT-R, the Porsche 911 Turbo and the Audi R8 V10 at the UK's Castle Combe circuit to see which of the entry level supercars could turn in the fastest lap.

The GT-R is the low-cost track star of the bunch, with the most mass, the least power and, arguably the most grip of the group. The 911 Turbo is the featherweight of the entry supercar trio, with middle-of-the-pack power and an (apparently) adventurous ride. The R8 V10 has the most power and Audi's excellent Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Sutcliffe took all through road warriors through the paces at Castle Combe, and the dynamic trio finished within about one second of each other. One of them could have won if it weren't for some iffy brakes, another didn't quite have the grip to win the day while the winner was quickest in and out of turns. Who won? You'll have to hit the jump and watch the high-res footage to find out.

Gallery: 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro

Gallery: First Drive: 2009 Nissan GT-R

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

[Source: Autocar via YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: Autocar pits Nissan GT-R vs. Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 V10 on Castle Combe

VIDEO: Autocar pits Nissan GT-R vs. Porsche 911 Turbo and Audi R8 V10 on Castle Combe originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree?

Chris Shunk — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Audi, Ford, Mazda, Porsche

Inside Line Most Wanted 2010 - Click above for high-res image gallery

We love award season, even if it is a bit tough to keep up with them all. Motor Trend has a set of golden calipers for its Car, Truck and SUV of the Year winners. Car and Driver has its 10Best. Automobile has the, well, the Automobile of the Year. Then there's Edmunds Inside Line and its six Most Wanted winners. Sure, Most Wanted doesn't enjoy the same sort of name recognition as the aforementioned awards, but at the very least, we tend to like the vehicles IL picks as their favorites. We also appreciate the fact that their selection process isn't exactly chock-full of rules. If they tested the vehicle before November 1, 2009, then it's eligible for Inside Line's six shooter. The only award category that truly stands out is the "Instant Classic," an award won over the last two years by the Audi R8 and the Nissan GT-R, respectively.

This year's list didn't have quite the raw power of last year's winners, but we can definitely see where the final six could be considered big fun on four wheels. The big winner is the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The 540-horsepower pony car picked up IL's Instant Classic award for being such a willing dance partner - even at 3,900 pounds. In fact, Blue Oval badges dominate this year's Most Wanted list, as the EcoBoost'd Flex and the wicked cool F-150 SVT Raptor made the final cut. Porsche scored with its new Panamera, while Audi found its way back on the list with the R8 V10. The cheap thrills Mazda3 rounds out this year's list. Click on the gallery below to check out Inside Line's Most Wanted winners in our high-res gallery, then let us know if you agree with their findings by leaving a note in 'Comments.'

Gallery: Inside Line Most Wanted 2009

[Source: Inside Line]

Inside Line editors pick their 'Most Wanted' for 2010 - do you agree? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Audi, First Drives

2010 Audi R8 V10 - Click above for high-res image gallery

On a gravel-strewn, dead-end road 20 miles north of Sonoma, California's Infineon Raceway, the opportunity finally presents itself. We slot the R8's gated shifter into first, rev the engine to 3,500 RPM and drop the clutch. No wheel spin, no screeching tires, just an immediate and seamless conversion of potential energy into vision-warping thrust. Our skull snaps back into the headrest, our spine compresses against the seat and a few seconds later, we are running into the red.

As we hit the fuel cutoff at 8,750 RPM, it dawns on us: we totally forgot to breathe.

If forward momentum is so seamless and instantaneous that it temporarily halts the most basic of human needs, you know you're piloting something special. And the 2010 Audi R8 V10 is very, very special.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers

First Drive: 2010 Audi R8 V10 answers our power prayers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi R8 V10 debuting in Detroit, cabrio coming in 2010

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:04:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Performance, Supercars, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R8

While other automakers are dropping out of the Detroit Auto Show left and right, Audi is heading to Motor City with guns blazing, beginning with the 2010 Audi R8 V10.

Car and Driver decided to put the rumors to rest that the updated super coupe is officially coming to Detroit, packing a 5.2-liter V10 putting out 520 hp and 398 lb.-ft. of torque. Aside from the obvious aural and performance differences, the V10-powered R8 will make use of a pair of larger dual exhaust tips rather than the V8 model's quad outlets. Expect new wheels, upgraded brakes and a few changes to the interior as well.

The oft-rumored Audi R8 Spyder will hit the European market in late 2009, with sales beginning in the U.S. sometime in 2011. According to C&D, the reason for the delayed Stateside launch is due to dealers that "have their hands full allocating coupes." Whatever that means. The R8's stylistic party pieces - it's side blades - will be shrunken down to accommodate a power-operated soft top, and the interior will carry over unchanged.

We've got more Audi goodness for you at 6 PM EST tonight, so check back in a few hours for a sneak peak of the four-ringer's plans for the Geneva Motor Show.

Gallery: Audi R8 V10 spied at quattro GmbH

Gallery: 2008 Audi R8

[Source: Car and Driver]

Audi R8 V10 debuting in Detroit, cabrio coming in 2010 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Dec 2008 15:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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