Audi confirms R8 for the road

IF TEN new models over the next 12 months is the main meal, then the all-new R8 supercar is most certainly Audi's extravagant dessert.

That's right, Audi has officially confirmed the Le Mans quattro concept it showed at the 2003 Frankfurt motor show will enter production from late 2006.

To be named R8, the German luxury giant's new flagship follows a complete overhaul of Audi’s core passenger model line-up over the past 16 months.

R8 will be built at a new 28 million euro (US$32.8m) production line at Audi’s Neckarsulm plant in Germany, where 250 staff will be dedicated to its manufacture.

"Through the R8 we are looking to build on our successes in motorsport and carry them over to series production," said Audi AG chairman and chief executive Dr Martin Winterkorn.

"This model represents Audi’s very own interpretation of sportiness," he said.

Due to be launched in the second quarter of 2007, R8 will employ weight-saving aluminium technology like that seen in its A2, A8 and A6 models.

The R8 Le Mans prototype was the world’s only race car to combine direct fuel injection and turbocharging and its 3.6 litre twin-turbo V8 was recently recognised by the Race Tech World Motorsport Symposium expert panel that consists of high-profile technicians from various motorsports including Formula One.

Head of Engine Technology for Audi Sport Ulrich Baretzky was presented the ‘Race Engine Designer of the Year Award’ at a ceremony held at the Royal Air Force Museum in London on November 10.

"I’m very proud of this award, which I accept on behalf of my team. What we achieved with the R8 was a genuine team effort," said Mr Baretzky.

Of the 77 races contested to-date, the Audi R8 has achieved a total of 61 victories, winning the 24-Hours Le Mans five times and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) six times in succession.

* In June this year, the A4 2.0 TFSI was awarded "Engine of the Year" by UKIP Media & Events Automotive magazine. The judging panel comprised of 56 journalists from 26 countries.