Category: Audi

When Audi announced details of its new S8 a few weeks back the thing that made us take note was its 382kW (520hp) twin-turbo 4.0 litre V8 engine. Whichever way you cut it, that’s a lot of mumbo.

We’ll soon become very familiar with the new bent-eight as it has also found its way, in various states of tune, into the S7 Sportback and S6. It will no doubt feature in upcoming RS models as well.

The obvious party piece of the new engine in S8 guise is its peak power. But a newly developed cylinder deactivation system also provides plenty of excitement for the anoraks among us.

It seems, more often than not, this new V8 will operate as a V4 and the use of active engine mounts and an active noise control system mean it will be hard to tell you’re only playing with half an engine.

The danger here is the S8 could be all duck and no dinner. Does its chassis and overall driving experience match the inevitable delights the engine will provide? Car magazine, Evo and Top Gear were all on hand for the launch of the S8. After the break you can see what they had to say.

Audi Australia is launching three new Limited Edition models. Consisting of a number of cosmetic and equipment upgrades the TT RS, RS5 and R8 are in line for special attention.

The TT RS and RS5 Limited Editions are available in Ibis White, Phantom Black and Suzuka Grey colouring and will be sold for the same price of the standard models. The TT RS, for example, includes an extra $8460 of included extras at no extra cost; there will be 45 available. Only 25 of the special RS5 models will be offered.

For the R8 it will be known as the Carbon Edition and it includes almost $40,000 in goodies for $10,900 over regular pricing. Daytona Grey paint is available in addition to the three colours from the Limited Edition range. The R8 Carbon Edition is the most exclusive of the trio with just 10 examples to be sold.

The full list of included extras for all three models is available below in the official Audi Australia press release.

Pistonspy brings us new video of the next-generation Audi Rs4 undergoing testing at the Nürburgring. This follows earlier spy shots of the car in action.

As you would expect the driver is fairly hooking in around the Nordschelife. In its current tune the exhaust note seems a little sedate, but there are a few instances where the unmistakable induction growl of a V8 engine can be heard.

[Source: Pistonspy]

Audi plans to shed 100kg from the weight of its next-generation R8, which is due to go on sale in 2014. In order to do this Audi will use innovative bonding technologies to introduce carbon fibre and other materials to its aluminium spaceframe.

The current R8 uses a solely aluminium spaceframe, but this new technique will allow for greater strength; up to 40,000Nm per degree, making it stronger than the likes of the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lexus LFA. There will also be some cost-saving benefits in the event of repair.

Audi’s new bonding method is called ‘Ultra’ and Audi engineer Dr Lutz-Eike Elend explains one of its key advantages, “With this concept you can always just take out and replace the particular elements—even the (central) tunnel. In the event of a side collision, you can take the rivets and bonding out and put the new part right back in.”

Dr Elend also says the next R8’s body-in-white will weigh just 198kg, which is, he says, “better than any vehicle with a carbon-fibre monocoque.”

[Source: GoAuto]

While the world had its eyes on the Frankfurt Motor Show last week, Audi set its sights on the famed Nürburgring Nordschleife. They were there with a very well disguised RS4 Avant prototype.

Previous speculation has suggested the new RS4 would source its power from the same 331kW used in the RS5. However, we’d not be surprised if quattro GmbH simply turns up the wick on the new 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 now found in the S6, S7 and S8.

When tuned for the S8 the 4.0 litre unit offers 382kW (520hp), that’s a pretty good place to start for an RS4 we reckon. We just hope there’s a proper manual transmission offered.

[Source: Autoblog]