Regardless of the frequency, our pulse still races every time we fire up a ten-cylinder engine. It's not just the unique sound or the warbled vibration that gets the blood flowing – it's the anticipation. Whether the badge says Gallardo, Viper or M5, a V10 under the hood promises intoxicating power and frenzied excitement.
The new Audi R8 GT packs just such an engine – a 5.2-liter V10. Mid-mounted in an aluminum and magnesium monocoque chassis, the powerplant is rated at 560 horsepower. With all-wheel drive and a sequential gearbox, the coupe rockets to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds before hitting an aerodynamic wall just shy of 200 miles per hour. It is, notes Audi, the lightest, fastest and most powerful supercar in its lineup.
Constructing the R8 GT was hardly a mild undertaking. Audi first put the R8 on a diet, shedding 180 pounds. They then turned their attention to the powerplant, where engineers were able to coax the 5.2-liter V10 into delivering another 35 hp. The suspension, brakes and underpinnings were upgraded, while the automatic gearbox and all-wheel-drive system received their own new set of commands. Lastly, unique cosmetic touches were applied that not only improved the R8's appearance, but boosted performance.
As can be expected with a facelift model, Audi is only opting for minor tweaks on both the exterior and interior of the car. It appears that the 2013 R8 will - for the first time - carry a refreshed grille that was first introduced last year by the e-Tron Spyder Concept. New headlights are also in the plans, as is a new S-tronic dual clutch gearbox, which replaces the R-tronic sequential manual gearbox on the current model.
Some other prominent changes expected to be made on the face lifted R8 are the use of Audi’s latest MMI interface system, an increased use of carbon fiber to cut down the car’s weight and, most importantly, an improved engine output from the current model’s 525-horsepower output all to the way to the neighborhood of 540 horsepower.
This is the first time that these details have been divulged, so we’re more than curious to see how the facelift model of the iconic R8 will look and feel like before Audi ushers in the next generation model in 2014.
"That supercar is just an idea at the moment," he told us. "We have five model lines including the Cajun [911, Boxster/Cayman, Panamera, Cayenne, Cajun crossover]. This is a possible sixth. I've said there is a big gap in price between the 911 Turbo and the 918 Spyder. But every time we do a new model line, we need customers wanting a Porsche in that segment, and see if that segment is big enough and whether there is a business case."
If that modular components set must encompass the R8 and this new Porsche supercar, it will also likely need to cover smaller machines, including the Boxster two generations hence, and possibly the mooted Audi R4 and baby Porsche, and, in rear-engine form, the 991's replacement. It will need a highly flexible design.
Sports-car product planning has gotten extremely complex and political at the VW Group since Porsche joined the family. Big egos are clashing, cabals of obsessive and successful engineers are engaging in turf wars, and powerful brand values need protecting. Anything you might read about projected models more than three years out is subject to change.
source:autos.aol.com,topspeed.com,motortrend.com
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