2008 Audi R8: Campo to Canada
Concept to Hollywood to Reality
* Le Mans Quattro - Frankfurt Motor Show; September, 2003 - Inspiration for the R8, the LMQ concept boasted a mid-mounted 610-hp twin-turbo V-10, all-wheel drive, an aluminum space frame, and LED headlamps.
* RSQ - I, Robot; July, 2004 - Transporting Will Smith in the futuristic thriller set in the year 2035, the RSQ donned spheres in place of wheels and rear-hinged butterfly-action doors. Like the LMQ, though, it featured Audi's single-frame grille and mid-engine layout.
* R8 - Fall 2007 - Four years after the LMQ debuted, the production R8 goes public. Visually, the R8 differs little from the concept, retaining most of the styling cues as well as the same wheelbase and, except for two inches of extra length, the same dimensions. A V-8 replaces the potent V-10, but all-wheel drive, a six-speed transmission, and control-arm suspension remain.
How to R8 a 911
We have tested numerous varieties of the 911, the R8's most formidable competitor. Here's how four of Stuttgart's best compare to Audi's mid-engine exotic:
| | Carrera 4 | Carrera S | GT3 |
| Base price | $79,060 | $83,460 | $106,860 |
| Powertrain | 3.6L/325-hp/273 lb-ft flat-6; 6M; AWD | 3.8L/355-hp/295 lb-ft flat-6; 6M; RWD | 3.6L/415-hp/300 lb-ft flat-6; 6M; RWD |
| Curb weight, lbs | 3345 | 3275 | 3235 |
| 0 to 60, sec | 4.6 | 4.4 | 3.8 |
| Quarter mile, sec @ mph | 13.2 @ 106.2 | 13.0 @ 109.5 | 12.1 @ 117.8 |
| 60 to 0, ft | 113 | 107 | 99 |
| | Turbo | R8 |
| Base price | $123,760 | $112,000 (est) |
| Powertrain | 3.6L/480-hp/460 lb-ft twin-turbo flat-6; 5A; AWD | 4.2L/420-hp/317 lb-ft V-8; 6M; AWD |
| Curb weight, lbs | 3495 | 3583 |
| 0 to 60, sec | 3.2 | 3.9 |
| Quarter mile, sec @ mph | 11.4 @ 120.5 | 12.5 @ 111.9 |
| 60 to 0, ft | 116 | 96 |