AUDI R8 SUPERCAR

December 1, 2006 10:55 AM AWST

Audi wants to be a major player in the prestige car market and in recent times has been off the mark. Now with an upgraded model range things look a lot different. Headlining the marques new presence is the attention seeking R8. Named after the Audi LMP900 R8 Le Mans winning race car, this true supercar will be available in 2007.

This is the fastest, most expensive and perhaps the most stunning of the Audi range, which also boasts the drop dead gorgeous Audi TT coupe.

The R8 has a potential top speed of 350 km/h and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of just 4.6 seconds.

The production R8 will feature the same 4.2-litre V8 from Audi's RS4, with a version of the Lamborghini Gallardo V10 possibly to be released some time in the future.

The R8 is an all aluminium, mid-engined sports car powered by a 4.2-litre V8 which sits under a glass rear panel. It uses all-wheel drive, with a six-speed sequential semi-automatic transmission. It produces 309kW of power and 430Nm of torque. It is expected to sell at approximately $300,000.