r8

Audi R8 V10 stretch limo is the first sign of imminent apocalypse

If you needed proof that the world will come to an end in 2012, just know that this will be the year that someone actually builds a stretch limo variant of the Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro.

Commissioned by Limo Broker and currently in production by Carbonyte UK, the formerly two-seater Audi R8 will be stretched to accommodate six more sport bucket seats, bringing the total passenger count to eight. When it is completed, the right-hand-drive vehicle will see service in Limo Broker's fleet, which also includes a stretch Ferrari 360 Modena, in the U.K. sometime later … Read more

CNET Roadside Assistance 005: RX-8 vs. 370Z and iPod without iDrive (podcast)

Welcome to CNET Roadside Assistance, the show were the Car Tech guys take some time to respond to your queries and highlight your comments. This week, Nissan and Mazda's performance cars go head-to-head, a BMW driver wants help steering clear of iDrive, and LOL cars are back.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 005

Audi gives 2012 R8 GT a $200K price tag

The only thing not to love about the 2012 Audi R8 GT would be its price tag. Audi announced that the fastest and lightest production car in its lineup will start at $196,800, $4K more than a starter Ferrari California. Factor in the $1,250 destination charge, and you're pretty close to $200,000 before you factor in taxes, licensing, registration, and options. But it's about what you'd expect for a 560-horsepower supercar made of this much carbon fiber.

Generous use of the lightweight material is how the Audi R8 GT keeps the weight down. To … Read more

Audi making its first ever appearance at SEMA

Audi of America has announced that it will be exhibiting at the 2010 SEMA Show, which is significant because this will be the first time that the premium automaker has participated in this very aftermarket-focused event.

Now, we've seen more than a few R8s and S5s at the SEMA Show in years prior, but these vehicles have always been brought by third-party purveyors of parts and accessories, not the automaker itself. This time it's personal, as Audi of America will have a presence on the show floor--alongside the likes of Ford, Hyundai, Honda, and others--unveiling new dealer-installed accessories, … Read more

Audi A8 to begin at $78,050, Audi TT to start at $38,300

Audi today announced the all-new Audi A8 will have a starting price of $78,050. The Audi A8L will start at $84,000.

Audi A8 gets 17 miles per gallon in the city, 27 mpg highway, which puts it on par with the Mercedes-Benz S400 hybrid. It's also better than the fuel-economy numbers for the BMW 7-Series hybrid and six-cylinder models, Audi said in a news release.

Audi also announced the R8 4.2 quattro, which gains 10 more horsepower for 2011 and will have a base price of $114,200--unchanged from the 2010 model price. The Audi R8 … Read more

Audi sets R8 Spyder 5.2 Quattro price at $161,000

Tony Stark drove the 2011 R8 Spyder 5.2 Quattro supercar in "Iron Man 2," now you can too for a mere $161,000, Audi today announced. The first open-top Audi supercar, which has a top speed of 195 mph, will begin rolling into U.S. showrooms as soon as next month.

The R8 Spyder 5.2 Quattro differs from the classic Audi look--there are no signature sideblades on the Spyder. Another significant difference on the R8 Spyder is the use of dramatic Aluminum Optic vents on the new rear engine cover and aluminum a-pillars. Last year, CNET'… Read more

Audi R8 Spyder adds another engine

Audi will add a new model to its lineup of luxe sports cars. The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI Quattro will feature a V8 engine that offers 130 hp less than its big brother, the 560 hp R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI. But with a top speed of 185 mph and only a fraction of a second slower off the line, it's still PDQ.

The upside of the smaller engine is the price: the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI will start at 121,000 euros (about $152,169). It's a nice discount from the R8 Spyder 5.2 … Read more

'Top Gear' tests for best drifting cars

While it has been fun watching Jeremy Clarkson of BBC's "Top Gear" fame test out fantastic rides for a thrill, I figured why not keep the fun going and bring on all the guys from "Top Gear"--Anthony Davidson and The Stig in this instance--as they try to figure out what the best car is for drifting.

In case you didn't know, drifting is "a driving technique and to a motor sport where the driver intentionally oversteers, causing loss of traction in the rear wheels through turns, while maintaining vehicle control and a … Read more

Audi E-Tron takes a ride on the Pacific Coast Highway

When we first saw the Audi R8 E-Tron, it was making its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The E-Tron is powered by four motors, and is capable of zero to 62 miles per hour in 4.2 seconds, with a top speed at 124 miles per hour. The E-Tron looks impressive with sleek body design and slitlike LED headlights.

Here's video of the electric car prototype on a drive down the scenic Pacific Coast Highway.

The E-Tron will be available in a limited series in late 2012.

Get to the grocery store in 10 seconds flat

This just released promo video of the Audi R8 V10 Spyder is inspirational. The 5.2-liter V10 engine (same as the couple) hits 60 mph in 4 seconds and can deliver a top speed of 194 mph.

The R8 Spyder has an aluminum Audi Space Frame and an electrohydraulic soft top made from leak-proof fabric.

The R8 made its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt auto show.