Suspension
Audi magnetic ride with two distinct modes, including a sport setting, that matches driving
style, conditions or mood. Multiple sensors continuously monitor driving conditions and
road surfaces and adjust damping within milliseconds, depending on mode chosen.
ASF
®
Aluminum alloy body structure. Extreme rigidity and lightweight construction for optimal
performance and driving dynamics. Beneficiary of Audi leadership in aluminum construction.
Retractable rear spoiler
Automatic extension at 100 km/h
*
provides added downforce. Can also be manually
activated by a dedicated switch.
Progressive design
Bold single-frame grille. A range of unique sideblades. Full LED rear lights. Visible, illuminated
engine compartment. Driver-centric cockpit with flat-bottom sport steering wheel.
Optional Bang & Olufsen
®
Sound System
Comes with 12 speakers and 465 digitally amplified watts designed specifically for the R8.
Microphone-based noise compensation ensures optimum sound under varying road
conditions and speeds.
Wheels
19-inch five double-spoke design cast alloy wheels (8.5-inch width front /11-inch width rear) with
235/35 front and 295/30 rear summer performance tires
†
.
Audi R8
174.5" / 4431 mm
104.3" / 2650 mm
49.3
"
/ 1252 mm
64.3" / 1632 mm
75" / 1904 mm
62.8" / 1595 mm
79.9" / 2029 mm
Power
Manual R tronic
Weight
3605 lbs 1,635 kg 3616 lbs 1,640 kg
Power/Weight ratio
8.6 lbs/hp 3.9 kg/hp 8.6 lbs/hp 3.9 kg/hp
Weight distribution
44% / 56% 44% / 56%
Fuel economy estimates City Highway City Highway
MPG IMP•
17 28 18 27
Litres per 100 km•
16.9 10.2 16.1 10.6
Cd
0.34 0.34
Performance
Manual R tronic
0 –100 km/h
4.5 sec 4.5 sec
0 – 200 km/h
15.1 sec 15.1 sec
0 – ¼ mile
12.7 sec 12.7 sec
Top speed
301 km/h 301 km/h
Engine
Type
Mid-engine
Horsepower
420 hp @ 7800 rpm
Torque
317 lbs-ft @ 4500-6000 rpm
Redline
8250 rpm
* Obey all local speed and traffic laws. †Summer performance tires are designed for optimum performance and handling in
warm climates. They are not suitable for cold, snowy or icy weather conditions. If you drive under those circumstances, you
should equip your vehicle with all-season or winter tires, which offer better traction under those conditions. We suggest you
use the recommended winter or all-season tires specified for your car or its equivalent. These summer performance tires also
have a lower aspect ratio that aids performance and handling; however, in order to avoid tire, rim or vehicle damage, it is
important that the inflation pressure is regularly checked and maintained at recommended levels. Serious wheel and tire
damage may occur if the vehicle is operated on rough or damaged road surfaces or upon encountering road debris or
obstacles. Please also remember in making your selection that, while these tires deliver responsive handling, they may ride less
comfortably and make more noise than other choices. Finally, these tires may wear more quickly than other choices. For more
information on all of these topics, please consult the owner’s manual, your local dealer or call 1-800-FOR-AUDI.
2008 Audi R8 Specifications
More than a mere adjunct: the transmission
The dynamic character of a sports car stems not only from its performance and torque:
the transmission ratios have to be right, too. The transmission in the R8 has six of these,
which can be operated either by clutch and gear lever or, for even more sports racing flair,
sequentially by the R tronic. Whichever option is used, the transmission ratios are always
the same: short, and crisply engaged.
The manual gearbox is very compact in design. In conjunction with the small-diameter
double-plate clutch, this allows it to be installed low down. The manual gearbox features very
short shift travel and utterly precise guiding of the gear lever into the open gear lever gate. It
is made from stainless steel, is agreeable to the touch and enjoys exquisite sports-car looks.
Crisp gearshifts, by order
The R tronic sequential gearbox provides even better performance and swifter gear-changing.
It adds another dimension to the R8 experience: with manual gearshifts via the steering-wheel
paddles or the newly designed sequential gear lever, with an automatic mode comprising two
levels, and not least with Launch Control for lightning-fast starts.
The R tronic’s electro-hydraulic shifting unit has a separate oil pump with electric pump,
permanently supplying the pressure of 40 to 50 bar required for the gear changes. The
clutch is operated by the hydraulics, and a second valve block takes the place of the
mechanical gearshift control. Other than this, the mechanical gearbox, with its optimum
efficiency, remains unchanged. The shift commands from the steering wheel or gear lever
are transferred by wire, in other words purely electrically.
Compared with similar competitor solutions, the newly developed, comprehensively optimised
R tronic is notable on the one hand for the minimal interruption to the power flow, and on the
other hand for the smooth gear changes. The operating speed varies according to engine
speed and transmission program. The S mode achieves extremely short gearshift times: in this
mode, the R tronic shifts significantly faster than even a well-routined driver. The S mode is
available both for manual operation and the automatic program. The threshold engine speeds
are then higher than in the standard program.
T:23 in
T:8.5 in
F11.5 in F11.5 in
