2008 Audi R8 Styling
Italian Bones, German MuscleThe 2008 Audi R8 wears aluminum body panels over an aluminum spaceframe. The "skeleton" is based on that of the Lamborghini Gallardo, another rear/mid-engine supermodel two-seater. Audi purchased the famed Italian company some 10 years ago, so the Gallardo bears heavy German influence. It's even built at Audi's home plant in Neckarsulm, Germany, which is where R8s go together.
![]() R8 is the fastest production car in Audi history, claimed to do 0-60 mph in around four seconds and 187 mph all out. |
But
the R8 is not a restyled Gallardo. For starters, it's longer and
taller, measuring 174.5 inches long (close to a Porsche 911), 75 inches
wide (including door mirrors) and 49.3 inches high. It's wheelbase is a
fairly generous 104.3 inches. In addition, the R8 is only a coupe, at
least for now, where the Gallardo also comes as a convertible. Both
feature all-wheel drive--Audi's Quattro system--but the R8 is 450-600
pounds heavier, scaling 3605 pounds with six-speed manual transmission.
The
Gallardo has a standard six-speed, too, with a slotted metal shift gate
that carries into the R8. A six-speed automated manual with
steering-wheel shift paddles is available for both cars, but the R8
uses a different transmission that Audi calls R-Tronic--and prices at a
hefty $9000. Unlike the dual-clutch S-tronic available on Audi TTs,
A3s, and A4s, R-tronic uses a single clutch for changing gears, and is thus a bit clunkier in operation.
There's
a big difference in engines. Where the Lambo runs a 5.0-liter V10 with
520-530 horsepower, the R8 uses a 4.2-liter V8 plucked from Audi's hot
RS4 compact sports sedan. That means all-aluminum construction, twin
overhead camshafts operating four valves per cylinder, and Audi's FSI
direct fuel injection. Horsepower is unchanged at 420, but the R8 is
treated to a racing-style "dry sump" lubrication with a separate oil
reservoir and twin pumps. This system assures proper oiling at the R8's
higher cornering forces versus the RS4. It also allows the engine to
sit lower behind the cockpit, which drops the center of gravity to the
benefit of handling. A specific exhaust system is tuned for stirring V8
sounds, ranging from a Detroit-style baritone idle to an Italian-aria
wail near the 8000-rpm redline, with a slight German accent in between.
Speaking
of rpms, the R8 V8 makes peak power at 7800 rpm and a maximum 317
pound-feet of torque at 4500-6000. Despite those lofty engine speeds,
Audi claims 90-percent torque is available between 3500 and 7600 revs.
Interestingly,
the R8 powertrain is slightly offset to starboard, with the propshaft
to the front differential angled on a slight diagonal to port. It's
unusual positioning, but almost impossible to spot. It was done mainly
for packaging reasons.
As with Porsche's all-wheel drive 911s,
the R8's Quattro system is biased to provide the handling
characteristics of a rear-drive performance car. The normal front/rear
power split is 10/90 percent, and no more than 35 percent goes forward
even if rear wheelspin occurs. Which is possible, as the standard Audi
ESP antiskid/traction-control system is calibrated to allow a little.
The ESP can be switched off entirely to allow a little slip-and-slide
action where conditions--and driver skill--warrant. That includes track
driving, which Audi expects some R8 owners will indulge in. Besides,
hot-car "street cred" demands a kill switch for such electronic safety
equipment.





