2008 Audi R8 Styling

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.