Since it first appeared as the Le Mans Quattro Concept at the Frankfurt auto show way back in September 2003, the Audi R8 became an instant sensation. But seemingly before the car even turned a wheel the inevitable follow-up question was asked: when is the more-powerful variant coming? After all, Porsche is never content with just a base 911 and with comparisons aplenty between the Stuttgart legend and upstart rookie from Ingolstadt, it was obvious Audi would eventually up its R8 game.
Like the V-8-powered R8, the
Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will come with either a traditional six-speed manual or R tronic six-speed sequential manual. Regardless of gearbox choice, Audi says the V-10 propels the R8 5.2 from 0-62 mph in 3.9 seconds -- about a half-second drop from the 4.4 second 0-60 claim for the R8 4.2 and squarely in the supercar pantheon. Audi also claims the R8 5.2 achieves an average fuel economy of 17.2 mpg, an impressive figure for a 525 hp supercar.
The car's dimensions don't vary much from the V8 model — the V10 measures just 3 millimeters taller and 4mm longer. This car is wider than the V8 by just over an inch, though, and this is because the wider side blades (i.e., air scoops) take in more air for cooling and, frankly, just add more badass-edness to the way the V10-powered R8 looks.
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will make its world bow at next month's 2009 Detroit auto show and when the R8 5.2 is rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009, it will come with a sticker price of 142,400 Euros, or $181,645 at current exchange rates. Though there is no official word yet on the timing of a U.S. release, it's likely the R8 5.2 will come stateside sometime late next year with a hefty premium over the base R8, which presently lists for just under $116,000.
Source: Motortrend.com
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