Autoblog

Click above for a gallery of the V10 Audi R8.

We've been following the developments surrounding the V10-powered R8 for what seems like eons. But today, we received the most definitive proof yet; engine-bay shots and a video of a white prototype shot in Florida. According to members of AudiWorld, a few V10 mules have been handed out to current, and supposedly trustworthy, R8 owners for evaluation, sporting oval exhaust pipes and a revised fascia. While that's a rather unconventional move on Audi's part, it's proof that the automaker is getting ready to launch the new RS8 (or R10) in the near future.

Hit the jump to hear the V10-powered R8 stretching its legs.


[Source: AudiWorld via German Car Scene]

Click the image above for a high-res gallery.

We've all watched the ALMS Porsche RS Spyder in racing, read the reviews about Porsche's track-ready 997 GT3 RS, and checked out the new Boxster RS 60 Spyder. Maybe some of us (Porschephiles?) have even dreamed about someday owning a classic 1973 911 Carrera RS (pictured above). Porsche's "RS" designation stands for "Renn Sport," or racing, and it is reserved for the highest performing models in the company's lineup.

Wait a second. Doesn't Audi also offer a slew of "RS" models too? They have their hot RS4, RS6, and the lightweight RS8. Now they have plans to bring out a high-performance version of the TT to be called the TT RS...

Not so fast, the team at Porsche is saying. Naming it the "TT RS" is stepping over that thin line drawn in the sand. Furthermore, the "RS" suffix is Porsche's, and it won't be slapped on an Audi anytime soon (especially as Porsche continues to increase its ownership in the Volkswagen Group). Audi may continue to use "RS" as a prefix, but that's about it. Well, that was easy, don't you think?

[Source: Winding Road]

If at first -- or three times -- you don't succeed, then try a V10 without turbos. After a few RS8's went up like popcorn while testing with the twin-turbo V10 from the RS6, Evo magazine bolsters our report from yesterday that the new supeR8 will come with a normally aspirated V10. However, it will be a clean-sheet-of-paper engine, and not related to the V10s in the RS6 or Lamborghini Gallardo, but rather an evolution of the V8 in the RS4.

In his interview regarding the incinerated R8s, Quattro boss Werner Frowein said that Audi was experimenting with a V10 that would get more than 500 horsepower, but the fact that the brand would commit to a brand new powerplant -- even if it is an evolution -- is somewhat surprising. Evo pegs the new engine at about 520 brake horsepower, which would put it ahead of the M-division unit from BMW and even the freer breathing versions of AMG's 6.2-liter lump. The car's arrival has been pushed back slightly to satisfy demand for the regular R8, though. In the mean time, we'll savor the possibility that the new engine will go in the S8.

[Source: Evo]

The phrase "580-HP twin-turbo V10" is hot enough to raise the temperature of any sports car enthusiast. And as sad photos of flambeed Audis have attested, without glacial cooling it's also hot enough to turn Audi RS8 test mules into fireworks.

When we first wrote about the burned out Audi R8 in the picture above, we mentioned scuttlebutt saying it was a test mule. Now, Quattro GmbH director Werner Frowein reveals that it was indeed an RS8 test mule, and that the problem was specifically due to the turbos of its V10 powerplant getting too hot in the mid-engined layout. Based on the best translation we can find of the Dutch article, Frowein says (or at least we think he says) that putting the twin-turbo V10 in the R8 is out of the question, and that they are instead working on a normally-aspirated V10 with a little more than 500 HP.

[Source: Paul Tan]

Audi goes up, Lamborghini goes down. Just as the R8, which wasn't really supposed to compete with the Gallardo, is getting revved up for a V10 transplant, the less expensive Gallardo could be going downmarket, swapping adding a V8 model to accompany the current V10. Admittedly its speculative, but sources and pics from the 'Ring indicate to World Car Fans the possibility of a V8 Gallardo with a revised fascia, altered exhaust treatment, and a less raucous exhaust roar than the V10. If true, that would mean we'll have two different versions of an Audi supercar (perhaps a third if a diesel engine is offered) and an "affordable" Lamborghini. Who saw that coming?

[Source: World Car Fans]

Go to the jump to see the video of the Audi RS8 running the 'Ring'

We recently told you about a horrible incident on the 'Ring involving a very fast, very beautiful Audi RS8 being burned to the ground. Now we can give you the video of the V10 beast in testing just prior to the crash. Hearing the wonderful growl of the 500+ hp Lamborghini-sourced V10 makes the outcome even more sad. According to spy shooter extraordinaire Hans Lehmann, the fire was not caused by a crash, and the driver was able to escape harm. You can see the pictures of the wreckage here. The video of the RS8 in testing is available after the jump.

[Source: YouTube]

If the Audi A8's stock wheels do nothing for you, or if the ride height as delivered from the factory still makes you think of a pickup truck, Project Khan has the fix. The British/Italian tuner starts with its 21" RS-X wheels (9.5" wide in the front and 11" out back), and then fits the vehicle with its TUV-approved electronic lowering module to drop the big sedan by 1.5". Privacy tint is applied to the glass, and to top off the modifications, a bespoke exhaust system with twin bazooka-sized machined 90mm tips is installed. There's no word on what effect the changes have to the performance of Audi's flagship, but we think that the modifications achieve subtle but very pleasing visual results. We also can't speak to the pricing of the package, but you know what they say about having to ask...

There are a couple more shots of the black bullet posted after the jump.

[Source: Project Kahn; a tip of the hat to Fourtitude]