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Battle royale: Audi R8 v Porsche 911
27 April 2006 The R8 goes on sale in summer 2007 and is likely to cost around £80,000 in Britain. This will be Audi's first foray into the supercar market, and the newcomer will look very much like the Le Mans concept car pictured here. Underneath, it borrows hardware from sister company Lamborghini's Gallardo and uses Audi's proven expertise in lightweight aluminium construction. The company is benchmarking the R8, which will have quattro four-wheel drive as standard, against Porsche's 911 Carrera 4S, but says it will have a slightly higher price tag. Michelle Davis, product manager for the R8, said exact pricing had yet to be finalised, but promised it would be better equipped than rivals. Satellite-navigation, full leather interior and other executive car treats are all likely to be standard. At first, just one R8 model will be offered, powered by the 500bhp 5.0-litre V10 first seen in the Gallardo. If Audi lifts the voluntary 155mph limit it imposes on its saloons, the R8 should boast a top speed of around 190mph. Further variants are in the pipeline; expect a cheaper V8 model using the RS4's twin-turbo engine to expand sales, while a V10 diesel-powered R8 would be perfect to showcase Audi's first attempt at winning the Le Mans endurance race this year with a diesel engine. |
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