Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro

The Ingolstadt based automaker is introducing a new motorisation for the open top version R8, and that is the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro.
The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro V8 produces 430 horsepower (316 kW) and 430 Nm (317 lb-ft of torque) and is capable of reaching 100 Km/h from a standstill in 4.8 seconds. Maximum speed is 299 Km/h or 195.79 mph and power is put to the ground via a R tronic sequential manual transmission, while the quattro AWD system is standard.
The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro will need 13.9 litres of fuel to cover 100 Km, the equivalent of 16.92 mpg with the T Tronig gearbox or 14.9 litres (15.79 mpg) with the manual, figures that were achievable thanks in part to the fact that the car’s body uses aluminium and large components of carbon fiber composite. 
The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro price is 121,000 Euro and availability will start from the third quarter of 2010.   
Audi press release :
Aluminum body with large components of carbon fiber composite
Audi is adding another model to its R8
high-performance sports car lineup: Hot on the heels of the R8 Spyder
5.2 FSI quattro comes another model with a V8 engine. The 4.2-liter FSI
produces 316 kW (430 hp) and launches the open-top two-seater to 100
km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 299 km/h
(185.79 mph). The engine is mated to the R tronic sequential manual
gearbox; quattro permanent all-wheel drive is standard.
The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a lightweight cloth top with a
fully automatic drive. Its body is an aluminum Audi Space Frame with
large-area components of carbon fiber composite material. A fit and
finish typical of Audi, excellent everyday practicality and optional
high-end technologies – from LED headlights to seatbelt microphone –
complete the profile of the model athlete.
Superior power:
the engine
The free-breathing 4.2 FSI is a high-performance
engine such as can be found in racing. It delivers an experience that
enthralls all of the senses – with spontaneous, voracious throttle
response, with its easy revving, with hefty torque, prodigious power and
sonorous, voluminous music.
The V8 accelerates the R8 Spyder
from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds and on up to a top
speed of 299 km/h (185.79 mph). Both values apply for the manual
transmission and for the R tronic. At Audi, dynamics also always means
efficiency. The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro with the R tronic consumes on
average 13.9 liters of fuel per 100 km (16.92 US mpg); fuel consumption
with the manual transmission is 14.9 liters per 100 km (15.79 US mpg). A
recuperation system that recovers energy during braking is standard.
The forced oil pump of the dry sump lubrication system features various
suction and discharge stages for load-dependent operation.
The 4.2
FSI, which is also used in this form in the R8 Coupé, produces 316 kW
(430 hp) from a displacement of 4,163 cc – 73.5 kW (103.2 hp) per liter.
At the nominal engine speed of 7,900 rpm, the long-stroke (bore x
stroke 84.5 x 92.8 millimeters [3.33 x 3.65 in]) engine’s eight pistons
travel 24.1 meters (79 ft) each second. The electronic rev limiter kicks
in at 8,250 rpm. The V8 delivers 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) of torque to the
crankshaft between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm, with at least 90 percent of
peak torque available between 3,500 and 7,500 rpm.
The compact V8,
which is hand-assembled at the engine factory in Györ, Hungary, has the
classic cylinder angle of 90 degrees and weighs just 216 kilograms (476
lb). Its crankcase is made of an aluminum-silicon alloy using the
low-pressure die casting method, which ensures particular homogeneity.
The high silicon content makes the cylinder barrels extremely resistant
to wear.
A bedplate structure gives the crankcase its high
rigidity and optimal vibration behavior. The cast iron bearing bridges
reduce its thermal expansion and thus keep the play at the main bearings
of the crankshaft within tight limits. The forged crankshaft, the
forged steel connecting rods and the forged aluminum pistons are
extremely lightweight, yet strong. The dry sump lubrication system with
its separate oil tank enables the engine to be installed very low while
also ensuring the supply of oil to the engine even under extreme lateral
acceleration.
The high-revving V8 FSI draws its fuel from an FSI
gasoline direct injection system – typically Audi. The common rail unit
injects the fuel at up to 120 bars of pressure. The fuel mixture is
swirled intensely in the combustion chambers and thus cools the walls.
This allows a high compression of 12.5:1, for increased performance and
efficiency. The 32 valves are actuated via roller cam followers by four
camshafts, each of which can be moved through 42 degrees of crankshaft
rotation. They and the ancillaries are driven by zero-maintenance chains
running on the back side of the engine.
The 4.2 FSI breathes
through straight aluminum velocity stacks 23 centimeters (9.06 in) in
length integrated into the dual intake system. The intake plenum is made
of lightweight plastic. Vacuum-actuated flaps controlled by the engine
management system are integrated into the intake ports. They cause the
air to move with a roller-like rotation (to “tumble”), which increases
the efficiency of the combustion process.
The dual-branch exhaust
system features dual tailpipes. The exhaust system components and the
pipes of the manifold have been designed for low backpressure and are
very light. The exhaust flaps in both tailpipes open at higher load and
engine speed for an even fuller sound.
Dynamic: the
drivetrain
The Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro comes standard
with a manual six-speed transmission. It works together with a compact
dual-disc clutch and can be shifted extremely precisely and easily with
short throws. The shift lever is made of polished aluminum, the open
gate of stainless steel.
The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is
optionally available with the R tronic, a highly efficient sequential
six-speed transmission. Shift commands are transmitted electrically; a
hydraulic system changes the gears and manages the clutch. The R tronic
offers both an automatic and a manual mode, both of which allow the
driver to choose between two shift programs.
In manual mode, the
driver changes gears using the joystick on the center tunnel or with the
paddles on the steering wheel. At high load and engine speed, gear
changes take less than a tenth of a second. The Launch Control program
ensures optimal starts. It controls the engine speed and the engagement
of the clutch to accelerate the open-top two-seater with the ideal wheel
slip.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive delivers the engine’s
power to all four wheels. Together with the locking differential on the
rear axle, it provides significantly greater traction, stability,
cornering speed and precision. The four powered wheels seem to claw into
the asphalt at the exit of the corner, and the driver can get back on
the throttle sooner than in a car with rear-wheel drive.
Due to
the mid-engine layout, the quattro all-wheel drive system in the R8
Spyder is a special design with a strong rear bias. The transmission,
which is mounted behind the longitudinally installed V8, has an
auxiliary drive for a cardan shaft running past the engine to the front.
A
viscous coupling distributes the torque at the front axle. During
normal driving, it sends roughly 15 percent of the torque to the front
wheels and 85 percent to the rear wheels. If the rear wheels begin to
slip, an additional 15 percent is quickly sent to the front. A locking
differential at the rear axle further improves dynamics. It provides up
to 25 percent lockup when accelerating and up to 45 percent when
coasting. If a wheel on one of the axles should slip, it is braked by
the EDS electronic locking differential.
Highly emotional:
the design
The R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is 4.43 meters
(14.53 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and 1.24 meters (4.07 ft)
tall – it has a wide, hunkered-down stance on the road as if ready to
pounce. Its dynamic proportions, the sculpted design and the passenger
cell situated far to the front with the flat windshield visually
underscore the mid-engine concept. The large vertical air intakes are
athletically sculpted out of the flanks, and the shadow contour of the
rear end forms a powerful wave above the wheels.
An elliptical
crease encircles the long back and provides visual structure. When
viewed from above, it combines the passenger compartment and the engine
into a single unit. Two arched cowls in glistening silver give the back a
powerful profile. They taper from the bulkhead to the spoiler lip, and
each includes six integrated air vents. Another wide discharge vent is
located between the cowls.
Numerous other touches – from the
single-frame grille painted in high-gloss black to the exposed gas cap
of solid aluminum – document the Audi designers’ great attention to
detail.
The headlights are technical works of art – this applies
to the standard xenon plus units and even more so for the optional LED
headlights, which use light-emitting diodes for all lighting functions.
Their reflectors resemble open mussel shells, and the daytime running
lights appear to be a homogeneous strip extending along the lower edge
of the headlight. One of Audi’s greatest innovations, the LED light, has
a color temperature very similar to that of daylight, making it easier
on the eyes when driving at night. It also impresses with a long service
life and extremely low energy consumption.
The rear of the R8
Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro features LED tail lights as standard equipment.
The exhaust system terminates in dual tailpipes on both the left and the
right. The rear spoiler, which extends automatically at 100 km/h (62.14
mph), and the fully lined underbody generate a downforce that presses
the high-performance sports car firmly to the road. With a drag
coefficient of 0.37 and the small front surface area of 1.99 m2 (21.42
sq ft), however, the two-seater still glides easily through the wind.
Audi applied a lot of the knowledge gleaned in motorsport to the flow of
air around and through the body.
Audi offers the R8 Spyder 4.2
FSI quattro with a choice of three colors for the top: black, red and
brown. The body is available in the solid finishes Ibis White and
Brilliant Red; the metallic finishes Suzuka Gray, Teak Brown, Ice
Silver, Jet Blue and Aurum Beige; and the pearl effect finishes Daytona
Gray, Sepang Blue, Lava Gray and Phantom Black. The windshield frame is
coated with anodized aluminum.
Just 215 kilograms (474
lb): the body
Equipped with a manual transmission, the R8
Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro weighs only 1,735 kilograms (3,825 lb) (including
driver), and just five kilograms (11 lb) more with the R tronic. The
decisive factor for this low weight is the aluminum body, which features
an Audi Space Frame (ASF) design.
The body in white consists of
three wrought components: Extruded aluminum sections comprise 75
percent; vacuum-cast nodes 8 percent; and the aluminum panels that are
integrated into this skeleton with friction connections make up the
remaining 17 percent. The body is largely assembled by hand with the
utmost precision.
The open superstructure features special
reinforcements in the area of the sills, the center tunnel, the rear
bulkhead, the floor and both the A and B pillars, yet still only weighs
216 kilograms (476 lb). The high stiffness of the ASF body, which
includes a co-supporting engine frame of ultra-lightweight magnesium,
provides the foundation for the dynamic handling, superior crash safety
and high vibrational comfort of the Audi R8 Spyder. The body tops its
segment in terms of lightweight quality – the relationship between
weight, size and torsional stiffness.
The side panels of the
open-top two-seater are made of ultra-lightweight carbon fiber composite
material (CFRP), as is the large cover over the roof compartment. They
are produced using a new method called resin transfer molding (RTM). In
addition to being faster and more energy-efficient than conventional
production in an autoclave, RTM also yields superior surface quality.
The use of carbon fiber composite enables weight savings of up to 60
percent over conventional steel components and also permits greater
design freedom.
Lightweight and convenient: the cloth roof
The
R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a cloth roof – a classic feature typical
of Audi and without compromise for a high-performance sports car. The
soft top’s approximate weight is a mere 42 kilograms (93 lb); it thus
keeps the vehicle’s weight and center of gravity low. The top takes up
little space when open, and is a harmonious design element when closed.
It tapers off to two long, slim fins that extend to the trailing edge of
the car and have an elongated contour similar to the fixed roof of the
R8 Coupé.
The outer skin of the top is a leakproof textile
fabric.  A headliner covers the frame, which is made primarily of
die-cast magnesium and aluminum. The soft top is fully suitable for
high-speed driving. When driving at moderate speeds with the top up,
interior noise levels in the R8 Spyder are barely higher than in the
Coupé. The cloth top has an electrohydraulic drive that uses a system of
actuators, hinges and hooks to open and close the top within 19
seconds, even while driving at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). When
opened, the 1.7 square meters (18.30 sq ft) of fabric folds in a Z-shape
into its storage compartment over the engine. The CFRP compartment
cover moves on two seven-joint hinges. The precise mechanical
interaction of the two components is a pleasure to watch.
The
heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top, is lowered
into the bulkhead between the passenger compartment and the engine
compartment. It can be raised and lowered at the press of a switch, with
the soft top up or down. An additional wind deflector comes standard.
It latches into the bulkhead behind the seats in two steps and keeps the
cabin nearly draft-free at speeds of up to roughly 200 km/h (124.27
mph).
The top with its rear-window module, the storage
compartment, the cover and the rollover protection system forms a
premounted assembly. It is inserted into the ASF body at the
manufacturing plant at Audi’s Neckarsulm site, where the R8 Spyder is
built, lending the body additional stiffness.
Located in the
bulkhead is a rollover protection system comprising two strong,
spring-loaded sections that shoot up within 0.2 seconds when needed. In
the event of a side impact, head/thorax side airbags in the backrests
protect the passengers. Full-size airbags stand at the ready in the
event of a head-on collision. In a rear-end collision, the integral Audi
head restraint system reduces the risk of whiplash injuries.
Technical
expertise: the chassis
Mesmerizing emotions embedded in
perfect technical expertise – the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro is an
integrated system of speed. It steers spontaneously, almost reflexively,
into corners and takes them with stoic composure. The limit is very
high and easily controlled. The hydraulic rack-and-pinion power steering
connects the driver intimately with the road. With a steering ratio of
16:1, it is sporty and direct, but never nervous in its response.
The
R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro has a wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 ft). Its
axle load distribution is 43:57 percent; the track measures 1.64 meters
(5.38 ft) up front and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) at the rear. Forged
aluminum double wishbones – a principle borrowed from race car
construction – locate the wheels. Their rubber-metal bearings divert the
lateral forces precisely into the body while at the same time ensuring
high longitudinal elasticity. The setup provides for surprisingly good
comfort in everyday driving. A dedicated sports suspension is available
as an option.
Another option for the R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI is Audi
magnetic ride adaptive damping. The system uses magnetic fields in the
hydraulic shock absorbers to adjust their response to road conditions
within milliseconds and adapt to the driver’s style. There is a choice
of two basic characteristics. During fast cornering and when braking,
the control unit reduces body pitch and roll through the targeted
increase of damping force at the individual wheels.
The R8 Spyder
4.2 FSI quattro rolls on 18-inch wheels shod with 235/40 tires up front
and 285/35 tires in the rear. A tire pressure indicator is standard.
Audi offers optional 19-inch wheels in a variety of designs – monochrome
or two colors, polished or in titanium look.
Behind the wheels
are powerful disc brakes measuring 365 millimeters (14.37 in) in
diameter up front and 356 millimeters (14.02 in) in the back. To quickly
dissipate the heat, they are internally ventilated, perforated and
composed of two pieces – stainless steel pins connect the steel friction
rings to the aluminum caps.
Black, eight-piston calipers grab
the front discs, with four-piston calipers used in the rear. The 19-inch
wheels are optionally available with perforated carbon fiber-ceramic
discs that are extremely lightweight, robust, long-lived and
corrosion-free.
The open high-performance sports car has a
specially configured stability system on board. With the touch of a
button, the driver can activate a sport mode that permits exciting but
safe oversteer when the gas is applied while exiting a corner. The ESP
together with the anti-slip control can also be deactivated completely
for dynamic driving.
Luxury and dynamics: The interior
and equipment
Three strengths characterize the interior of
the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro: the uncompromising quality with
respect to the use and finish of the materials; the generous amount of
room; and the high degree of practicality.
Drivers and passengers
of any size find an ideal seating position in the sport seats with their
pronounced side bolsters. The ring of the leather multifunction sport
steering wheel is flattened.  Visibility is good, with narrow A-pillars
ensuring a large diagonal view to the front. Another advantage in
everyday driving is the luggage compartment – there is space under the
front hatch for 100 liters (3.53 cu ft). A storage box with three bins
is located behind the seats.
A large arch, the “monoposto”,
encircles the interior, which is distinctly oriented toward the driver.
The controls are clearly and logically structured; the standard
automatic air conditioning system is specially matched to the needs of
open-top driving. The driver information system integrates a lap timer
for recording circuit times. Most of the interior is a sportily cool
black; many controls shine in aluminum look.
Among the highlights
of the standard equipment are seats covered with Fine Nappa leather, the
aluminum door sills, the concert radio system with seven speakers, the
xenon plus headlights, the LED tail lights, the automatic air
conditioning system, the alarm system, the automatic top, the rollover
protection system and the wind deflector. Metallic paint and heated
seats are also standard.
Audi also offers an array of fine options
– power seats, an interior lighting package, hill hold assist, cruise
control, deluxe automatic air conditioning, a storage package and the
high-beam assistant. All leather for the seats is colored with pigments
that reflect the infrared component of sunlight, greatly reducing the
heating of the interior.
Multimedia options include an excellent
sound system from Bang & Olufsen with 450 watts of power, the Audi
music interface for easily connecting an external player and a Bluetooth
cell phone preparation. The navigation system plus is characterized by
its MMI operating logic and a high-resolution 6.5-inch display. It can
be combined with a reversing camera.
An enticing innovation from
Audi is the seatbelt microphone for the hands-free unit and the speech
dialogue system, which makes it possible to talk on the phone even with
the top down on the highway. Both seatbelts house three small, flat
microphones. At least one of them is ideally positioned relative to the
speaker when the belt is on. There is a fourth microphone in the
windshield frame.
Extreme individualists can choose from a wealth
of exclusive options, the lion’s share of which are provided by quattro
GmbH. These include leather seat coverings in a wide variety of colors
and grades, aluminum-look pedals, the carbon package for the exterior,
inlays in carbon and piano finish black, Alcantara for the headliner and
the luggage compartment lining and the custom luggage set.
The R8
Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro will be rolling into German showrooms in the
third quarter of 2010. Sales will be starting soon at a base price of
€121,000.