Audi's own vision of a supercar

That's right, I'm talking about the Audi R8. It's available as a 2-door spyder(cabriolet) or as a 2-door coupe. Audi started the production of these in 2006. It's based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform and the fundamental construction uses an aluminium monocoque, which is built around space frame principles. Even Jacky Ickx, who is a 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, described the R8 as the best handling road car nowadays. This car is greatly balanced between power and handling, since it isn't that fast as it's competitors, but is great in handling. The R8 is available with a 4.2 litre FSI V8 or with a 5.2 litre FSI V10 engine – both with the quattro 4 wheel drive system. At first it was available with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed R-tronic gearbox, which is believed to be not so great, but in 2010 the new R8 came out with a S-tronic gearbox, which is way better than the previous gearbox. The 4.2 litre V8 engine produces 420HP(309kw) and generates 430NM of torque, with average fuel consumption of 17.7 litres/100km. On the spyder version it produces 434HP(319kw) at 7900rpm and 430NM of torque. It takes it 4.8 seconds to reach 100km/h and can go up to 299km/h. The average fuel consumption for this model is 17.7 litres per 100km.

On to the 5.2 FSI quattro...It produces 532HP(391kw) and generates 530NM. It takes it only 3.9 seconds to reach 100km/h and it's top speed is about 316km/h. The V10 R8 included all-LED headlights as the world's first of this kind. The fuel consumption for this model is about 18.8 litres per 100km. The V10 also featured a spyder version, which has 525HP at 8000rpm, along with peak torque of 530NM at 6500rpm. It accelerates from 0 to 100km/h in just 4.1 seconds, with top speed of 314km/h. The average fuel consumption is same as the coupe version – 18.8 l/100km.

There is also a 2013 V10 plus version, which provides 550HP at 8000rpm and peak torque of 540NM at 6500rpm. It takes it 3.4 seconds to reach 100km/h with top speed of 317 km/h. The average fuel consumption for this model is 12.9 l/100km.

And there's a GT version, which is limited to 333 units world wide. It's a 5.2 litre FSI quattro with curb weight reduced to 1.525kg and 560HP(412kw) with top speed of 320km/h, 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds. The car also features some visual changes including red brake caliper covers, a fixed rear wing, front bumper mounted winglets and GT badges replacing the V10 ones. The fuel consumption for this model is 13.9 litres per 100km. And the GT doesn't come without a spyder version – all is same about the specifications, except the price.

Price tags:

Audi R8 V8 coupe – 113 500 euros

Audi R8 V8 spyder – 113 500 euros

Audi R8 V10 coupe – 130 000 euros

Audi R8 V10 spyder – 127 000 euros

Audi R8 V10 plus – 153 200 euros

Audi R8 GT – 173 000 euros

Audi R8 GT spyder – 188 000 euros
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