Audi R8

Wild R8's the king of the 'Ring

A super-lightweight Audi may be making the headlines this week - but don't forget the company's full-fat supercar!

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Ross Pinnock

04th April 2006

Take a look in this week's mag at the best pictures yet of the stunning R8. Our spies caught the two-seater being put through its paces at the Nürburgring in Germany. Engineers were giving its mid-mounted 5.0-litre V10 a workout at the famous track ahead of the car's official debut - expected to be at September's Paris Motor Show.

An aggressive Audi grille - as previewed by the TT Shooting Brake concept - is clearly visible at the front, between a pair of narrow xenon headlamps. At the back, the firm has learned its lesson from the original TT, which suffered high-speed stability problems at its launch, because the R8 features a pop-up rear spoiler.

With an engine derived from that of the Lamborghini Gallardo, an advanced aluminium chassis, adaptive dampers and four-wheel-drive quattro drivetrain, the storming new model will rocket from 0-60mph in around four seconds.

The R8 is due in UK dealers early next year, priced from £70,000 - putting it in direct competition with the Porsche 911.