Audi Rear Engine Sports Car
The Audi rear engine sports car is a mid-engined sports car produced by Audi from 1994 to 2000. It was the first Audi to use a rear-mounted engine, and it was also the first Audi to use a V10 engine. The R8 was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Audi as a builder of high-performance sports cars.
History
The R8 was developed under the leadership of quattro GmbH, Audi’s in-house performance division. The car was based on the Audi A8 platform, but it was significantly modified to accommodate the rear-mounted engine. The R8 was unveiled at the 1994 Geneva Motor Show, and it went on sale in 1995.
The R8 was initially available with two engine options: a 4.2-liter V8 and a 5.2-liter V10. The V8 engine produced 290 horsepower, while the V10 engine produced 350 horsepower. Both engines were mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
In 1999, Audi introduced a limited edition R8 called the R8 GT. The R8 GT was powered by a modified version of the 4.2-liter V8 engine that produced 310 horsepower. The R8 GT also featured a number of other performance enhancements, including a more aggressive suspension and a lighter flywheel.
Technical Specifications
The Audi R8 was a mid-engined sports car with a longitudinally mounted engine. The car had a steel space frame chassis with a carbon fiber reinforced plastic body. The R8 was available with a choice of two engines: a 4.2-liter V8 and a 5.2-liter V10. The V8 engine produced 290 horsepower and 302 foot-pounds of torque, while the V10 engine produced 350 horsepower and 324 foot-pounds of torque. Both engines were mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
The R8 had a top speed of 174 miles per hour and a 0-60 mph time of 4.6 seconds. The car had a curb weight of 3,130 pounds.
Performance
The Audi R8 was a very capable sports car. The car had excellent handling and braking, and it was also very fast. The R8 was able to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and it had a top speed of 174 miles per hour.
The R8 was also a very comfortable car to drive. The car had a well-appointed interior with supportive seats and a good driving position. The R8 was also very easy to drive, and it was a great car for both everyday driving and track days.
Conclusion
The Audi R8 was a significant car for Audi. It was the first Audi to use a rear-mounted engine, and it was also the first Audi to use a V10 engine. The R8 was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Audi as a builder of high-performance sports cars.
Further Reading
