r8 details

[Dave Eaton <Dave.Eaton@clear.net.nz>]

following is some details on the r8, from the audi press release..

happy Christmas
dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q


Details:
Length: 4650
Width: 2000
Height: 1200
Displcement: V8 of less than 4 litres
Power: more than 550hp
Transmission: 6-speed sequential RWD
The R8 racing car heralds in a new chapter in Audi's lengthy and successful 
history of motor sport competition: following outstanding triumphs in rally 
sport, in the USA and in touring-car racing, Audi will be making its first 
outing in the Le Mans 24-Hour Race in 1999. AUDI AG is thus taking on one 
of the biggest challenges in the world of motor sport.
The Audi R8 is a thoroughbred motor racing car without compromise. Supreme 
motor racing technology is used throughout, from the carbon fibre monocoque 
to the V8 turbo engine. The speeds clocked up at Le Mans are on a par with 
Formula 1 racing - but have to be maintained over a period of 24 hours. 
This is a marathon test without equal, for both man and material.
"To succeed in Le Mans, you can't afford to compromise," explains Audi's 
Head of Sport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. This is why the R8 was designed in the 
wind tunnel. "We nevertheless wanted people to recognize this car 
immediately as an Audi sports car. I think we've succeeded in that," 
continued Dr. Ullrich.  The Audi R8 is powered by a new V8 turbo engine. 
With the air-flow restriction specified by the rules, the engine develops 
more than 550 bhp.
The longitudinally installed six-speed gearbox with sequential selection is 
another new development. Tony Southgate, in his capacity as Technical 
Consultant to Audi Sport, sees this as one of the most important components 
of the R8. "Apart from sheer speed, the reliability of the gearbox is 
crucial to doing well in Le Mans," he reveals from his wealth of 
experience. As a design engineer, Southgate has already played a 
behind-the-scenes role three times for winners of this classic endurance 
race in France.  The R8 is based on a carbon fibre monocoque, and the 
entire body is likewise of lightweight but very strong Kevlar. Audi was 
able to engage the Italian specialist company Fondmetal as its technology 
partner for the aerodynamics, which are vitally important in Le Mans.
Development work on the Audi R8 began in autumn 1997. The decision was 
taken very early on not to build an enclosed GT sports car. "When we totted 
up all the pluses and minuses, we found there was much in favour of an 
open-top car," explains Audi's Head of Sport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.  The 
Audi R8 will be undergoing intensive testing and refinement until the 
obligatory qualifying rounds in May 1999. Reinhold Joest's team, which has 
already savoured victory in Le Mans on four occasions and will be entering 
the R8 in conjunction with Audi Sport, is also involved.