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Interior Design
The interior of the R8 V10 provides a unique
racing ambience at the luxury level. Its dominant element is the so-called
monoposto - a wide arc that contains the steering wheel and the cockpit. As
always in an Audi, the workmanship is of the highest quality. The surfaces of
the dashboard and doors are lined with fine materials and adorned with precisely
stitched decorative seams. Many customizing solutions are available: Audi
supplies leather in a wide range of colors, packages with a carbon and
piano-lacquer finish, or a made-to-measure luggage set. quattro GmbH, which has
developed and is producing the R8 V10, also provides solutions for
unconventional requirements.
The great everyday utility of the Audi R8
V10 is based in part on its spacious interior made possible by the long
wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft). Drivers and passengers of any size will
always find a perfect sitting position. Visibility too is surprisingly good.
Slender hinge pillars optimize the obliquely forward field of view. Another
advantage for convenient everyday use is the luggage space: 100 liters (3.53 cu
ft) fit under the front hood, another 90 liters (3.18 cu ft) can be stowed
behind the seats. There is also room for two golf bags.
The Audi R8 5.2
FSI quattro combines its colossal performance with a generous complement of
standard equipment. Highlights include heatable seat covers made of Fine Nappa
leather, a driver information system, the navigation system plus and the Bang &
Olufsen sound system along with deluxe automatic air conditioning and an alarm
system. The instruments and the gearshift knob are decorated with red rings; the
footrests and the rocker switches of the R tronic have an aluminum finish.
The list of options includes other highly attractive features - such as the
Audi parking system advanced with its integrated rearview camera or numerous
Audi exclusive customization options. Various leather packages provide a
luxurious touch, while the bucket seats from the Audi exclusive program bring a
highly concentrated racing atmosphere into the R8 V10.
Low Center of
Gravity
The technical refinements of the long-stroke ten-cylinder
engine include dry sump lubrication, which allows the engine to be mounted low
within the chassis. The wide cylinder angle of 90 degrees also makes for a low
center of gravity. The crankcase is a high-strength aluminum-alloy casting
produced in a complex process. The connecting rods are made of forged steel, the
pistons of aluminum. The four camshafts are chain-driven and each is adjustable
through 42 degrees. This provides great latitude in controlling the valve
timing. In combination with the straight, flow-optimized ducts of the intake
manifold, this improves the charge throughout the entire speed range.
The
2011 R8 5.2 FSI quattro has a six-speed transmission. A precise and
smooth-shifting manual transmission comes as standard equipment. The sequential
R tronic is available as an option. The high-tech gearshift conveys an authentic
racing feel - with the rocker switches at the steering wheel and the short
shifting times of usually less than one-tenth of a second. When the driver
actuates the Launch Control program by pressing a button, the Audi R8 V10 takes
off in a vehement quick-start with electronically controlled tire slip - both
with the R tronic and with the manual transmission.
A contributing factor
to the wide lead in traction and driving safety of the Audi R8 V10 over the
competition is quattro all-wheel drive - it's the superior technology especially
for a high-performance sports car. Four powered wheels get more grip than two.
They enable the driver to step on the gas sooner when coming out of a curve.
It's not only the traction that benefits, but also the transverse dynamics and
the stability.
44 to 56 Percent Load Distribution
The Audi
R8 chassis offers both dynamic performance and astonishing levels of comfort on
long distances. This high-performance sports car from Audi eagerly responds to
any steering action with instant ease, achieves lateral acceleration of up to
1.2 g, and handles any situation with superb driving safety. Its mid-engine
design provides an ideal axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent.
The
wheel suspensions on dual aluminum wishbones front and rear - a classic racing
technology - are optimized for neutral self-steering characteristics. Even more
than in the eight-cylinder R8, this setup is designed for maximum performance.
19-inch wheels equipped with tire pressure monitoring display are standard
equipment. Their 10-spoke Y design is exclusive to the R8 V10. Tire sizes are
235/35 front and 295/30 rear.
The car features a high-end damper
technology as standard: Audi magnetic ride adapts the characteristics of the
suspension in milliseconds to the nature of the road surface and to the driving
style. Suspended in the oil of the shock absorbers are tiny magnetic particles
which, when a voltage is applied, rearrange themselves so as to slow down the
flow of oil through the valves.
Audi R8 5.2 FSI: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications