19 March 2007 3 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

Audi’s first supercar, the R8, arrives this fall to begin its world domination.

The Interior
Brushed aluminum, Alcantara leather, and carbon fiber line the guts, while the optional 465-watt, 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen noise-canceling stereo prevents the thumping of the thug ride one lane over from disturbing your daily Maroon 5 time.

The Engine
Engineers took the RS4’s high-strung V-8—it redlines at a hyperkinetic 8,250 rpm—and dumped it behind the driver, making the R8 Audi’s first-ever midengine car. And to be sure the combustion house gets respect, LEDs light up the engine bay.

The Body
Holding up the car’s sleek exterior is a tweaked version of the Lamborghini Gallardo’s platform. Since VW owns both Audi and Lambo, it made sense to borrow the speedy little bull’s ultrastrong aluminum and magnesium skeleton.

Driving Wheels
Audi built its rep on the Quattro system, so it’s no surprise that the R8 is all-wheel drive. Smoky burnouts are a no-go, but there’s enough traction to save drivers from a grill-first pole plant.

The Design
Audi calls the carbon fiber slats behind the doors “sideblades.” To be honest, they don’t actually do anything—well, besides providing the opportunity to say a word as awesome as “sideblades.”

The Transmission
To spice up the interior Italian-style, Audi placed the six-speed stick shift inside a Ferrari-esque open gate. Can’t be bothered? Audi’s optional R-tronic dual-clutch gearbox works as an auto when traffic’s a bitch or a paddle-operated manual for curvy back roads.

The Suspension
Instead of oil, the shocks of the optional Magnetic Ride damper system use a fluid with metal particles in suspension. They alter an electromagnetic field in milliseconds to switch from softer for cruising to harder for corner carving.

Maxim, Mar 2007