2008 Audi S5
May 8th, 2008
The aluminum-look outside mirror housings cause no doubt of the S5’s personality, and neither do the color-matched door sill trims and the exhaust system with four oval tailpipes. The more strongly marked trunk lid spoiler edge provides increased aerodynamic downforce. The S sports seats and sports steering wheel, instruments with gray dials and special aluminum door sill plates create an atmosphere of refined power. The interior leaves a great deal of space for the realization of personal ideas: Audi makes available a wide scope of superior materials and colors.
260 kW (354 hp) is the output of the 4.2-liter eight-cylinder engine in the Audi S5, with a maximum torque of 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) already available at 3,500 rpm. In no more than 5.1 seconds, the powerful coupe sprints to 100 km/h (62.14 mph), showing incomparable liveliness, spontaneous response, a continuous power curve and an exhilarating sound. The V8 derives its colossal power potential from the innovative FSI direct injection technology. It takes only sparing motions to manage the six-speed transmission. The clutch was relocated to behind the differential – a swap which allowed to move the front axle further up and thus achieved a more ideal weight balance. As an option, the sporty six-speed tiptronic is available. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive of course provides ideal traction with variable torque distribution and a basic split of 40 percent to the front and 60 percent to the rear axle.
The S sports suspension supports the Audi S5’s performance through its dynamic tuning. The high-performance brakes, recognizable by their black painted brake calipers, ensure reliable deceleration. The ESP stabilization system can be suspended in two steps if the driver wishes to investigate the potential of her Audi S5 on a suitable course. The 18-inch wheels are matched to tires of the size 245/40 R 18. As an option, Audi fits the S5 with the dynamic high-tech drive system, Audi drive select. It allows the driver to shift the characteristics of the throttle, of the tiptronic shift points, and of the power steering support in three modes; and if the navigation system plus is installed as well, the driver can even design their own personal drive program. As additional components, there are the adaptive shock absorbers and the new Audi dynamic steering system. With its override differential drive it varies the steering ratio depending on driving speed; and in fast turns, the system keeps the S5 safely and dynamically on the road by small, automatically performed corrections.
Among the S5 standard equipment there are the xenon plus headlights with their exciting strip of LED daytime running lights and electrically adjustable S sports seats fitted with attractive fabric/leather coverings. As a member of the A5 family, this high-performance coupe can be equipped with state-of-the-art communication and entertainment devices, from the Bang & Olufsen sound system and the intelligent iPod interface to the Bluetooth car telephone. Moreover, the S5 can also be equipped with high-tech systems such as adaptive cruise control, Audi side assist, Audi lane assist and Audi parking system advanced. They assist maintain distance to the car ahead, assist in changing and maintaining lanes, and make reverse-parking easier by using a camera. For some of the further, highly attractive upgrades, there are 19- and 20-inch wheels as well as the keyless entry system advanced key.
Conclusion:
Engine: displacement 4,163 cc, power output 260 kW (354 hp) at 7,000 rpm, maximum torque 440 Nm (324.53 lb-ft) at 3,500 rpm. Performance and fuel consumption: 0 – 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 5.1 s, top speed 250 km/h (155.34 mph, governed), consumption (combined) 12.4 liters/100 km (18.97 mpg) with Super Plus gasoline. Drivetrain combination: quattro drive with six-speed transmission.
The efficient composition of FSI power and Quattro all-wheel drive results in a car capable of 0-60mph in 5.1 seconds and quarter mile times in the low 13-second range. Perhaps what’s most astonishing about the S5 is that the car delivers all this performance without sacrificing practicality. Inside you will find four real seats that actual people can fit in, along with a huge trunk out back. Really the perfect car for that 9am tee-off and post-lunch autocross event.
Audi S8
March 9th, 2008
Sports appeal is firmly anchored in the genetic code of the Audi brand. In the case of the S models, however, sportiness is a declared principle, combined with comfort, aesthetics, elegance and uncompromising quality. The Audi S8 with its 5.2-litre V10 FSI engine combines all of these strengths to produce passion and superiority. The V10 of undersquare configuration utilises the expertise of the Lamborghini Gallardo super sports car, but has been reengineered in essential areas. A ten-cylinder engine is the ideal design for realising sporting aspirations. Although an eight-cylinder engine would be even more compact, to make it into the five-litre class it would need large, heavy pistons and connecting rods, so its ability to rev freely would be impaired as a result. It is no coincidence that competitors have generally concentrated simply on high torque with their large-capacity V8 engines, rather than attempting to squeeze sporty performance out of them too.
The 331 kW/450 bhp V10 in the Audi S8 also belongs to the new generation of V engines from Audi, all of which feature a standard 90-degree included angle and a spacing of 90 millimetres between cylinder centres. The crankcase of the Audi ten-cylinder powerpack is made from a hyper-eutectic aluminium alloy. This technology renders separate cylinder liners superfluous; the liners are instead honed directly from the material by exposing the hard silicon crystals. The connecting rods are made from forged steel, and the pistons from an aluminium alloy. At the rated engine speed, each of them covers an average of 21.7 metres per second.
The V10 in the Audi S8 uses FSI petrol direct injection. This has impressively demonstrated its dynamic potential in motor sport – the R8 racing car featuring this technology represented Audi five times at the 24-hour Le Mans race and captured four victories. The common rail injection system delivers the fuel directly to the combustion chambers in precisely metered amounts, at a pressure of up to 100 bar. The powerful ten-cylinder engine has been optimised for high torque as well as high engine power. From as low as 3,000 to 4,000 rpm it delivers 540 Nm to the crankshaft. More than 90 per cent of the torque is available at 2,300 rpm. The V10 imparts the luxury saloon with the road performance of a high-calibre sports car. The Audi S8 sprints from a standstill to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds. Only a short while later it reaches its governed top speed of 250 km/h, also facilitated by its low drag coefficient.
The optional ceramic brakes, which are also available for the twelve-cylinder A8, are a special feature for the S8. The impressive diameters of the ceramic brake discs – 380 mm at the front and 356 mm at the rear – are an immediate indication of their tremendous potential. The discs are made from a composite material comprising high-strength carbon fibres embedded in hard, frictionally resistant silicon carbide, a material that has already proven itself in the aerospace industry. The discs are bolted to a stainless steel chamber via resilient connecting elements. The ceramic discs offer significant advantages compared with conventional steel discs. They offer a high braking performance, especially at the limit, and are largely unsusceptible to heat fading – a major safety bonus for a sporty high-performance car such as the Audi S8. The high-tech material is completely resistant to corrosion. Ceramic discs will last for up to 300,000 kilometres, four times as long as steel discs. And not only that, at around five kilograms per unit, they weigh half as much as their steel counterparts – this reduction in unsprung masses improves both handling and ride comfort.
Optically, the high-tech brake system can be identified by the special cooling ducts and the perforation of the discs as well as by anthracite-coloured callipers with the "Audi ceramic" logo. A six-piston aluminium monobloc calliper is used at the front wheels, a nodular cast iron floating calliper at the rear. The dynamic stability system ESP is specially tuned for interaction with the ceramic brake system.
The Audi S models have always epitomised high performance and refined sports appeal. The same applies to the S8 – it lends the design of the A8 a dynamic edge. This prestigious saloon is already inherently light and elegant in character – its aesthetic appeal reflects its exceptional position as a sports model in the luxury class. The S8 cuts a supremely athletic figure, but never looks aggressive. The most striking changes are to be found at its front end. The eye-catching single-frame grille bearing the S8 badge is in platinum grey, and its double vertical struts have a chrome-look finish.
Besides the 20-inch wheels with the new S design and the special brakes, four details on the side sections indicate the potential of the V10 engine: badges on the wings and the front brake callipers, door handles with aluminium trim strips and aluminium-look exterior mirror housings. At the rear, the S8 badge, an integrated rear spoiler, a subtle light-refracting edge in the apron and an exhaust system with four oval tailpipes complete the range of optical modifications.
The S8 also adds various specific accents to the luxurious interior. The S8 sports seats, which have a wide range of adjustment features, have two-colour upholstery with stitching in a contrasting colour. The colour combinations underscore the ambience of luxurious sportiness. Further details of the interior distinguish the sporty top model from the A8. The highly-polished door sill trims bear S8 badges, the inlays on the door and centre console are made of brushed aluminium or carbon fibre. The three-spoke multifunction steering wheel features colour-contrasting stitching and aluminium-look paddles as well as an S8 badge.
The innovative lighting technology known as adaptive light, including LED daytime running lights, is standard equipment on every Audi S8. Here the xenon plus headlights are coupled with static turning light and dynamic cornering light as well as separate LED daytime running lights – as on the A8 W12. As well as adaptive light technology, 20-inch wheels and an 18-inch brake system, the standard specification incorporates other comfort and convenience equipment items. These include new, noise-insulating double glazing for the windows, a DVD navigation system and Bose Surround audio system with CD changer. The door armrests and the centre console in the S8 are upholstered in leather, together with the seats.
The standard access and authorisation system known as advanced key permits the driver to open the S8 without having to take hold of the key. The driver can then switch on the ten-cylinder powerplant by pressing the Start button and immediately enjoy the wonderful luxury ride.
2008 Audi R8
February 15th, 2008
© Leftlane News
The sporty interior is dominated by a totally 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.
At 7,800 rpm the 4.2-litre engine delivers 309 kW (420 bhp) of power output. Peak torque is 430 Newton-metres from 4.500 to 6,000 rpm. And no less than 90 per cent of this maximum torque is maintained consistently throughout a wide engine speed range from 3,500 all the way to 7,600 rpm. As a result of these qualities, the eight-cylinder power unit provides maximum thrust in virtually any driving situation. The performance figures are equally impressive: the R8 accelerates from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 301 km/h.
The engine is a high-revving unit. The maximum engine speed is 8,250 rpm. The advantages of this principle are superior power output at high engine speeds and a smooth, eager responsiveness all across the revs range. Added to this are its agility, liveliness and engine sound, which is similar to that of a race car. The Audi R8's dry sump lubrication – another technology originating directly from motor racing – provides the ideal basis for maximum longitudinal and lateral acceleration. It allows the V8 to be installed lower, thereby lowering the centre of gravity and further enhancing driving dynamics.
Two transmissions are available: a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox, with a joystick gear-shift on the centre console and, most especially, the paddles mounted on the steering wheel. 'Shift by wire' technology provides for very fast gear-shifting and an outstanding power-to-weight ratio, allied to compact gearbox dimensions. The Sport mode, with its fast shifting, guarantees the absolute maximum in terms of driving fun. An automatic mode can also be selected. The car is fitted with permanent four-wheel drive, which distributes the power variably to the front and rear axles by way of a viscous clutch. On the Audi R8 the legendary quattro system is adapted to the axle load distribution typical of mid-engined cars.
Even the standard equipment of the Audi R8 meets the high demands of customers in this segment. Xenon 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 leaves virtually nothing to be desired. A Bang & Olufsen sound system, featuring an output of 465 watts and 12 specially designed speakers, delivers surround sound of the highest standard. 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.
The wheels range offers design alternatives in sizes of 18 and 19 inches, fitted with 235/35 size tyres at the front and up to 295/30 at the rear. A total of eight exterior colours are available, from Ibis White to Phantom Black, pearl effect.
The 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 bodyshell construction to final assembly – is organised in the same way as a craft workshop. Small teams of specialists accompany every step of production, subjecting every part and component to intense scrutiny. This ensures that every one of the maximum of 15 cars per day built will more than match the customary high quality standards of the Audi product range.
