Race Car to Road Car:
Power and performance: The 2015 Audi R8 competition debuts at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show, Nov. 21–30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
The fastest Audi production vehicle ever rips from a standing start to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 199 mph, says Audi of America, based in Herndon, Virginia.
Inspired from the fabulously successful R8 LMS racecar, the R8 competition brings it on with 570 horsepower generated at 12.5:1 compression ratio and includes light matte carbon elements for weight reduction.
A limited production of 60 units will be available in the U.S., with first deliveries scheduled for early 2015. MSRP is $199,900, and the car is available from Audi dealers throughout Arizona and California.
“The limited-edition Audi R8 competition is the closest road car to our R8 LMS ultra race car that has won virtually every race around the world,” says Scott Keogh, president, Audi of America. “It is designed for the driving
enthusiast, and we’re excited to bring 60 units as a limited edition to the U.S.”
Built in Neckarsulm, Germany, the mid-mounted-longitudinal 5.2-liter fuel-injection engine, which revs to 8700 rpm, connects with a standard seven-speed S tronic and has a sport exhaust system finishing off at black high-gloss tailpipes.
Adding to the high performance of the Audi is a water-cooled cooling system with a thermostatically controlled radiator fan; a dry sump oil system; and a valvetrain incorporating continuous intake and exhaust camshaft adjustment.
The R8 competition has the same naturally aspirated V-10 FSI engine as the Audi R8 LMS race car, which won Nürburgring and Daytona 24-hour races and all other major GT races around the globe, the company says.
One of the reasons for the success of the vehicle under racing stress is the durability of the engine, which requires its first major service after approximately 13,000 miles under race conditions or approximately one full race season. Other maker’s engines typically require major service after just one 24-hour race, the company says.
High-quality components contribute to the new Audi’s powerful combination. The cylinder block is aluminum alloy; the connecting rods forged steel; the crank case high-strength aluminum alloy casting; the pistons aluminum; the cylinder head aluminum alloy; and the crank shaft forged steel with five main bearings.
Those lightweight matte carbon exterior elements include a fixed rear spoiler, engine bay, mirror housings, carbon sigma side blades, front spoiler and rear diffusor. These components and a smaller fuel tank lower the weight of the R8 competition about 310 pounds and also add to the needed downforce to keep the car secured on the road.
Steering is hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering. Front and rear suspension is aluminum double wishbone. The five-double-spoke Y-design titanium wheels have cross-section summer performance low-aspect tires for better handling. The fronts are 8.5Jx 19 235/35 R19 and the rears 11Jx 19 295/30 R19. The ceramic brakes feature anodized red brake calipers contrasting to the matte carbon fiber elements.
Other exterior details include full LED headlights; Singleframe® grille with angled upper corners; Style rear
view mirrors; LED taillights; round exhaust pipe trim; titanium license plate bezel; and front air intakes.
Inside, matte carbon fiber elements include the center console and illuminated R8 competition door sill inlays, manual Alcantara seats and reduced sound insulation in the engine bay. Also included is an R8 perforated, thicker-contoured sport steering wheel; shift paddles; and high-gloss black, aluminum and leather elements.
A four-year/50,000 mile new vehicle limited warranty is included with the Audi R8 competition as well as an onboard diagnostic system and Audi navigation system plus MMI® interface; in-dash CD player for navigation DVD, audio/mp3 CD; navigation DVD for U.S. and Canada including Hawaii (not Alaska); two SD card inserts to play MP3 audio data (music); and AM/FM/SAT radio with channel preset capability.
Also included is SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (with a 90-day trial subscription); RDS Traffic (with a four-year subscription); and voice control system for compatible phone, with safety belt microphone.
Because the R8 competition is an Audi exclusive, you can pair interior and exterior colors and choose from a selection of wheel finishes for your individual needs and tastes.
For more information on the limited edition Audi R8 competition, see www.audiusa.com.