2010 Audi R8 gets 5.2 V10 engine option

Audi is launching the latest variant of its beached whale at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The R8 will now receive a version of the V10 that powers the Gallardo.

The 5.2-litre V10 engine churns out 525 hp and 530 Nm of torque, mated to a Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a choice of either a 6-speed manual or the generally-hated R-Tronic automanual gearbox.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro sports a body made almost entirely out of aluminium. The manual version weighs 1620 kg. The engine accounts for 258 kg, or about 31 kg more than the V8 option.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI can sprint from zero to 100 kph in 3.9 seconds. In the R-Tronic version, it reaches 200 kph in another 8.1 seconds. It reaches a top speed of 316 kph. Fuel economy for the R8 V10 with R-tronic is supposedly rated at 13.7 litres per 100 km. The sequential R-tronic uses rocker switches at the steering wheel, with shifting times of usually less than one-tenth of a second. When the driver actuates the Launch Control program by pressing a button, the R8 V10 takes off with electronically controlled tyre slip, both with the R tronic and with the manual transmission.

The Audi R8 chassis supposedly achieves lateral acceleration of up to 1.2 g, and its mid-engine design provides an axle load distribution of 44:56 front/rear weight distribution.

The suspension uses dual aluminum wishbones front and rear, and 19-inch wheels equipped with tyre pressure monitoring display are standard equipment. Their 10-spoke Y design is exclusive to the R8 V10. Tyre sizes are 235/35 front and 295/30 rear.

The car features Audi’s magnetic ride system that 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.

In the R8 V10, deceleration is provided by eight brake pistons at the front and four at the rear grasp the brake discs, which are ventilated and perforated to ensure unimpeded heat transfer. The brake discs on the front axle have a diameter of 15 inches, while the rear discs span 14 inches. The R8 5.2 FSI is optionally available with a ceramic brake system whose lighter discs are made of a composite material containing high-strength carbon fibre and abrasion-resistant silicon carbide.

The Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro is also fitted with LED headlights and tail-lights, a retractable rear spoiler, unnoticeable body changes along the bottom sills, heatable seat covers, Nappa leather, a driver information system, a navigation system, Bang & Olufsen sound system, automatic a/c and an alarm system. The list of options includes an integrated rearview camera and numerous customisation options for the leather interior.

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 euros – a rather good time to unveil a pricey sports car, during an economic crisis. They won’t even be able dump these in Dubai soon.