Audi has officially revealed the technical specifications for the new R8 model, along with a gallery featuring the mid-engine supercar.
About 50 kg (110 lbs) than its predecessor owing to the new Audi Space Frame chassis (with aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastics in its structure), the vehicle boasts an upgraded 5.2-liter engine, available in two iterations. The first version outputs 540hp and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 201 mph (323 km/h). The second one churns out 610 hp and 560 Nm (413 lb-ft) of torque, which means the car can go from 0 to 62 mph 3.2 seconds and reach a maximum speed of 205 mph (330 km/h). The only option for the transmission is the 7-speed S-Tronic manual gearbox.
Alongside the gasoline powered R8, the German carmaker has also revealed an electric version of its supercar, called the R8 e-tron. This model comes with a large T-shaped 92 kWh battery produced by Audi which is structurally integrated into the center tunnel and behind the occupant cell, and allows the R8 e-tron to achieve a range of 280 miles (450 km). It can go from a standstill to 62 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a restricted top speed of 210 km/h (130.5 mph) or 250 km/h (155.3 mph). It remains to be seen if this project will ultimately be commercially viable, but it’s nevertheless great to see Audi working on electric vehicles as well.
