With new supercar, Audi chases down BMW.The R8, expected to be priced at about $100,000, is an example of just how upscale Audi wants to get. In terms of price and performance, it's no Lamborghini. Audi, a subsidiary of Volkswagen (Charts), already owns Lamborghini so they have that market covered.
The R8 does borrow some of its engineering, from the Lamborghini Gallardo, however. The R8 is an all-wheel-drive car powered by a 420-horsepower Audi V-8 mounted behind its two seats.
It's a "halo car," a product that's more about bolstering brand image than making big profits.
Its engine is designed to rev high - up to 8,250 rpm, Audi says - and offers a zero-to-sixty time of 4.6 seconds with a top speed of 185 miles per hour.
The R8 will be a direct competitor to cars like the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, an all-wheel drive sports car powered by a 355-horsepower 6-cylinder engine.
The race-inspired R8 serves as a reminder that Audi races cars and wins. It just doesn't compete in races that most Americans are familiar with. The name is taken directly from Audi's R8 race car, which was replaced on the LeMans-series endurance racing circuit this year by the diesel-powered R10.
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