Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Quattro: full details revealed

From the outset, Audi has established itself at the head of high-end sports vehicles with the introduction of the R8, and now appears the R8 V10. It comes with a 5.2-liter, 10-cylinder powertrain that produces 386 kW (525 hp) and a top torque of 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft), which offers performance on an amazing level. With higher Audi technologies such as quattro AWD, the aluminum lightweight body, the ground-breaking all-LED headlights, and its stunning design, the R8 V10 takes lead over its rivals.

The accumulation of knowledge from Audi’s series of triumphs in the Le Mans is behind the design of the R8 V10. Its engine, which is naturally ventilated, merges racing technology such as dry sump lubrication with FSI gasoline direct injection system. The 10-cylinder design is the ideal combination for outstanding performance, impressive pulling potency, and reduced weight. Beginning next year, this unit will also demonstrate its potential on the racetracks of the world; in the latest R8 racing car Audi is designing for customer teams in conformity with the rules of GT3.The V10 powerhouse in the production sports vehicle will be approximately the same in structure to the one in the racing variant. It has is 5,204 cc displacement, at 6,500 rpm it generates 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, at 8,000 rpm it attains a top potency of 386 kW (525 hp). More details and photos after the jump!

The particular energy yield is 100.9 hp per liter of displacement, and each hp has to power only 3.09 kilograms (6.91 lb) of weight, since the Audi R8 V10 in the variant with the 6-speed manual gearshift measures only 1,620 kilograms (3571 lb). The engine is responsible for 258 of these kilograms (569 lb), it exceeds the V8 by only 31 kilos (68 lb).

The acceleration rate of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro is just 3.9 second from standstill to 100 km/h (62.14 mph). In the variant with the in sequence shifting R tronic it attains 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in the succeeding 8.1 seconds. Even then its propelling potency scarcely decreases; it is adequate to achieve a ceiling speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph). The massive power, the spontaneity and the propelling power of the acceleration, plus the hum of the engine, band together into a spectacular sports car experience. As the V10 engine revs up, it plays a concert with roaring bass tones and potent high notes, which increases into a ostentatious loud sounding music. This resonant acceleration reaches its top at 8,700 rpm.

The powerhouse, a 5.2-liter, utilizes direct injection consistent with the FSI principle designed by Audi. The fuel is injected into the combustion chambers by a common rail system, reaching up to 120 bar of pressure. The process reduces the inclination to knocking and offers a definite amount of cooling via the evaporation of the fuel, which consecutively supports a lofty compression ratio of 12.5:1. This sequentially adds to better performance and enhanced fuel efficiency. The average fuel consumption of the R8 V10 with R tronic is of 13.7 liters per 100 km or 17.17 mpg. The engineering modifications of the long-stroke 10-cylinder unit include dry sump lubrication, which enables the engine to be installed low within the chassis. A low center of gravity is accomplished by a wide cylinder angle of 90 degrees. The crankcase is manufactured in a complicated process using a high-strength aluminum-alloy casting. The connecting rods are of forged steel, while the pistons are made from aluminum. The four camshafts are driven by chain and each is adaptable through 42 degrees. This offers great leeway in controlling the timing of the valve. In mixture with the straight, flow-maximized ducts of the intake manifold, this enhances the charge of the whole speed series.

The R8 5.2 FSI quattro comes with a 6-speed transmission. An accurate and seamless-shifting manual transmission is standard equipment. Optionally available is the sequential R tronic. The ultra-modern gearshift expresses a genuine racing sensation, with the steering wheel mounted rocker switches and the brief shifting times of generally lower than one-tenth of a second. When the Launch Control program is actuated by the driver as he presses a button, the R8 V10 takes off in a vigorous quick-start with electronically controlled tire slip, found in both the R tronic and with the manual transmission version. The quattro all-wheel drive is a factor that contributes to the wide lead in traction and driving safety of the Audi R8 V10 against the rival, it’s the better technology and more so for a high-performance sports vehicle. All-powered wheels provide more grip compared with only two. They allow the driver to step on the gas quicker when coming out of a bend. Besides the traction, also the transverse dynamics and the stability benefits from all these.

Both dynamic performance and spectacular levels of comfort on long drives are both offered on the Audi R8 chassis. This high-level Audi sports vehicle keenly responds to any steering stroke with immediate ease, attains lateral acceleration of up to 1.2 g, and copes with any condition with outstanding driving safety. Its mid-engine design offers a perfect axle load sharing of 44 to 56 percent. The wheel suspensions on two aluminum wishbones front and rear, a typical racing technology, are maximized for neutral self-steering traits. Even in excess than in the 8-cylinder R8, this arrangement is intended for the highest performance. 19-inch wheels come with tire pressure monitoring display is typical equipment. Their 10-spoke Y design is limited to the R8 V10. Rubber measurements are 235/35 at the front and for the rear it is 295/30.

The car highlights a high-grade damper technology as regular; Audi magnetic ride adjusts the behavior of the suspension in milliseconds to the condition of the road face and to the driver’s driving style. Tiny magnetic particles are floating in the oil of the shock absorbers which, when a voltage is put in place, reorganize themselves to reduce the speed with which the oil flows into the valves.

Deceleration is offered in the R8 V10 by a totally powerful braking system which comes with eight brake pistons at the front and four at the rear, which are aspirated and perforated to guarantee uninterrupted heat transfer. The front axle disc brakes have a diameter of 380 millimeters (15 in); the rear discs measures 356 millimeters (14 in). Optionally offered, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro comes with a ceramic brake system whose disks are created from a composite material containing extremely strong carbon fibers and silicon carbide which is scratch-resistant. Particularly light, their overall total weight is nine kilograms (19.84 lb) lesser than the weight of corresponding disks made of steel. The ceramic brakes handle effectively the brutal demands of racing, will not corrode, and have a standard lifespan of 300,000 kilometers (186,400 miles). Their calipers are finished in charcoal gray paint and decorated with the “Audi ceramic” inscription.

Lightweight and stiff are both special requirements of the body of a sports car. Both of these requirements are particularly met by Audi with the technology of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) and its advanced aluminum construction design. The white colored body of the R8 V10, which consists of an engine frame made of extremely-light magnesium, tips the scales only 210 kilograms (463 lb), and the feature of its lightweight design, the proportion of weight to torsional stiffness, is the finest in the sports car category. The body is made of profile extrusions, sheet aluminum and very intricate gusset castings, all brought together by welding seams that measure 99 meters (325 ft), rivets numbering 782, and special screws of 308.

The inside of the R8 V10 offers a special racing atmosphere at the level of the luxurious. Its overwhelming feature is the monoposto so-called, which is a wide arc that houses the steering wheel and the driver’s compartment. Standard in the Audi, is the workmanship is of the utmost quality. The faces of the dash and doors are edged with excellent materials and decorated with accurately stitched ornamental seams. Many personalized solutions are offered, such as leather in a extensive assortment of colors schemes, packs finished with carbon and piano-lacquer, or a bespoke luggage package. quattro GmbH, which has designed and produced the R8 V10, also offers solutions for non-typical needs. The great daily use of the Audi R8 V10 is founded partly on its roomy inside made possible by the extended wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft). Both drivers and passengers of all sizes will always find an ideal position for sitting. Visibility too is astonishingly good. Narrow hinge pillars maximize the obliquely forward field of sight. Further benefit for comfortable daily usage is the luggage compartment which has 100 liters (3.53 cu ft) under the front hood, another 90 liters (3.18 cu ft) of luggage can be kept behind the seats. It can also accommodate two golf bags.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of €142,400 ($183,320).