From the days of Auto Union to the present,
Audi R8 2009 engineers have continued to push back the boundaries in motorsport. The result is a sports car with an unmistakable design and a champion’s DNA. With the new
Audi R8 2009, our developers and designers have built a car that epitomizes Audi's quest for perfection.
The
2009 R8 is a 2-door, 2-passenger sports coupe, available in two trims, the Coupe quattro and the Coupe quattro with Auto R tronic. Upon introduction, the Coupe quattro is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, V8, 420-horsepower engine that achieves 12-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. The Coupe quattro with Auto R tronic is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, V8, 420-horsepower engine that achieves 13-mpg in the city and 18-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
EXTERIOR
BI-XENON Headlights : These headlights use gas-discharge lamps that are electrically controlled. The result is a bright arc that serves as an excellent light source to illuminate the road.
Carbon sigma sideblade : The aggressive look of carbon sigma on the signature sideblades gives the Audi R8 an individualistic appearance.
LED daytime running lights : Various studies and the NHTSA recommend the use of daytime running lights, to improve driver visibility to oncoming traffic during the day. When the low-beam headlights are switched on by the light sensor or rain sensor, the daytime driving lights remain on but are dimmed to the brightness of side lights.
LED lighting : Light-emitteing diodes (LEDs) have a whole series of technical advantages over conventional bulbs, the most important being their activation speed and their long service life. The R8 features LED lighting within the daytime running lights, engine compartment, brake lights, side turn indicatiors in exterior mirrors and third brake light.
Oxygent Silver sideblade : A distinctive sideblade option that creates a unique optic.
Power adjustable and heated exterior mirrors : The heated mirrors provide extra comfort and safety to the exterior of the R8.
Reinforced bumpers : Special reinforced bumpers are dynamically designed for optimum appearance and added safety.
Retractable rear spoiler : The retractable rear spoiler automatically extends at 65 mph and retracts at 20 mph. This sporty and aerodynamics-enhancing feature of the R8 can also be operated manually.
Single frame grille in high-gloss black : The high-gloss black grille adds to the dynamic design and impressive stance of the R8.
Twin tailpipes : The four-branch exhaust system with twin tailpipes on the left and right are standard exterior features of the R8, demonstrating the vehicle’s power.
Wheels: 19″ five-double-spoke cast alloy, this progressivelly-designed wheel is the perfect complement to the sporty and powerful Audi R8. The light weight alloy helps to improve driving dynamics.
Wheels: 19″ five-double-spoke polished alloy, this progressively-designed wheel is the perfect complement to the sporty and powerful Audi R8. The light weight alloy helps to improve driving dynamics. The optional polished alloy finish is new for 2009.
INTERIOR
The interior has a driver-oriented cockpit architecture, integrating the driver between the dashboard and the high centre console. The instrument panel above the console is angled slightly towards the driver. The flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature of the sportiest Audi models, and also enables comfortable sports car entry and exit.
The sports seats are trimmed as standard in a Leather/Alcantara combination, or optionally in full leather. Alternatively, the R8 can also be fitted with bucket seats, specially developed by quattro GmbH. There is plenty of room for the two occupants, with comfort levels well beyond the norm of high-performance sports cars. There is space behind the seats to stow large bags, or even two golf bags. The luggage compartment at the front has a capacity of 100 litres.
With numerous trim variants and applications in Piano finish or Carbon sigma, there are few limits to the range of customization options for the interior.
The chassis
The chassis features forged aluminium double wishbones at the front and rear. At the front they are triangulated, while at the rear the top one is triangulated and the bottom one is a triangulated wishbone with a track rod. This provides for optimum wheel control, and is a geometry which has proved itself to be the ideal solution in delivering agility, maximum steering precision and precisely defined self-steering characteristics.
Direct, hydraulic rack-and-pinion steering provides optimum feedback to assist the driver.
The spring and damper set-up is stiff in order to deliver maximum driving dynamics, while still providing a quite astonishing level of ride comfort. This is particularly true when the 'Audi magnetic ride' adaptive damper system is chosen as an alternative to the standard gas-filled shock absorbers.
Instead of the conventional damper fluid, a magnetorheological fluid is used -- in other words, a fluid whose viscosity can be influenced by an electromagnetic field. This effect enables the damping characteristic to be influenced electronically at will and instantaneously, by applying a voltage to the electromagnets.
Audi magnetic ride uses this property to deliver the correct damping forces in every driving situation. A computer determines the prevailing driving situation in a matter of milliseconds. Drivers can choose from two driving programs depending on whether they want to drive in a highly sporty style -- with the magnetorheological fluid adjusted to a low viscosity -- or with the emphasis more on ride comfort.
The Audi R8 is fitted with 6-arm 18-inch wheels as standard, and can optionally be ordered with 19-inch wheels. The 235/40 size tyres at the front and up to 285/35 at the rear provide the necessary road-holding. The mid-engined sports car's long wheelbase and extremely low centre of gravity ensure that it always retains maximum stability.
Equipment and trimXenon plus lights, LED rear lights and daytime running lights, 18-inch aluminium wheels, an audio system with 7-inch monitor, an anti-theft alarm and Leather/Alcantara interior trim are just some of the items on the extensive list of standard features.
The range of optional extras includes a Bang & Olufsen sound system, featuring an output of 465 watts and 12 specially designed speakers. A microphone-based vehicle noise compensation system adjusts audio levels to changing road conditions and speeds.
The acoustic parking system and a rear-view camera help the driver to manoeuvre into even the tightest of spaces. The radio/navigation system plus, featuring a large-format colour monitor and MMI keypad, combines extensive functionality with extreme user-friendliness.
A total of eight exterior colours are available, from Ibis White to Phantom Black, pearl effect.
CraftsmanshipThe Audi R8 is being built on a small-lot production line in a specially constructed new block at the Audi plant in Neckarsulm. The entire production process - from the body shell construction to final assembly - is organized in the same way as a craft workshop. Small teams of specialists accompany every step of production, ensuring that every one of the maximum of 15 cars per day built is up to quality standards.
Audi R8 2009 Picture Gallery (click the image to enlarge)
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