R8 NF: Lightweight Variant

[R8Spyderman]

http://rumors.automobilemag.com/svel...ant-21249.html

[gazza1]

What a fascinating read..thanks for the post.

[the_buch]

thanks for sharing .... as a 'car-guy', it's a great time to be alive with what's on the ten year horizon :-)

[R8Spyderman]

This is the Golden Age of the automobile and I'm glad it happened to coincide with the time in my life when I can actually afford to indulge in my car habit!

[Bodhii]

It has certainly been no secret that Audi is planning a lightweight, rear wheel drive R8 that would go head to head with the Porsche GT3. The only question has been: HOW SOON?

Audi seems a little too obsessed with spreading out these "NOT VERY NEW TECHNOLOGY," design upgrades, over as many years as possible in order to completely "utilize" its original R8 customer base. So I guess Audi's lightweight, GT3 R8 model will finally arrive as soon as the new R8 GT market has been fully addressed.

Maybe the Audi GT3 type R8 will happen using the current R8 design, or maybe it will be as an ultra expensive, completely new R8 re-design model. And from this most expensive new re-model, they will slowly, over a few years, offer to us some cheaper, tuned down models in a similar manner that Porsche seems to be introducing its new 918 flagship platform. Start with an ultra new top model and then work down?

The heavy weight of the current R8 chassis and its lack of a modern, dual clutch transmission have long been the car's only significant weaknesses. Carbon fiber body parts represent NO new technology, nor do PDK type trannys. The only NEW technological advance I would truly cherish from Audi would be their development of quality CF monocoque chassis construction costs equaling the same, or costing less than the current very heavy, metal frame sportscar construction. Now that is something that I would salute!


Tuners have been making R8's using carbon fibre body panels for years with over 550 LBS of weight lost, plus another 50-60 LBS reduction for RWD! This is very significant weight loss! It's nothing new. I think its about time that Audi decided to do the same.

[R8Spyderman]

I was surprised that the vaunted F458 didn't use a carbon fiber tub the way the McLaren does and many Ferraristi are envious of the McLaren beating Ferrari to the punch. The replacement for the Murcielago seems to be based around a CF tub as well, though don't quote me on that: I picked that up somewhere and can't cite the reference but that seems to be the trend going froward so I wouldn't be surprised if the next R8 is based around a CF tub, but probably not this special NF edition (sigh).

[bz888]

Yeah, weight is a killer regardless! Bad for fuel consumption and performance. I think Audi should offer a RWD version or Quattro version from factory. Let the customer decide between R8-2 or R8-4!

To be honest, the R8 is a BIG car in terms of it's width and length! But, the Aluminium Space Frame and Body Parts have kept this weight down to some degree. If it was purely made of steel it would weigh over 1800kgs!

Audi need to address the Club Racer market. Focus on a stripped out, light weight, low spec GT3 Competitor! No NAV, Stereo, Leather, Rear Cam etc etc.
Pricing must also match or slightly undercut the GT3.

In the meantime, I'll just work on building my own GT3 RWD version!

[R8Spyderman]

Wouldn't doing away with AWD in favor of RWD also save a bunch of weight? It should also improve the net HP rating at the wheels, shouldn't it? Maybe that's what this NF variant is all about. Can't wait to see the specs!

[desperado]

Since VAG now owns both Porsche and Audi; and

Since Porsche already has a quite full lineup of wicked competition variants up to and including the superlight Cup cars; and

Since Audi is more of a luxury marque;

Then, don't you suppose the R8 will remain slanted more toward the ultimate high performance grand tourer, and the 911 or its successors will continue to have the all-out road racing variants?

[NR8]

Don't want to outsmart some other here on the board but I wrote already in November that at Audi they had decided to build this lightweight version (internal name is GT-X). A friend of mine has driven this car in December already, calling it a beast.

And yes, they will push it into the market as soon as all GT are sold - unfortunately for AUDI there are still some available here in Germany/Europe.

And they still consider to build another version (codename GT-Y) after the GT-X is sold.....

Due to being aware of this I did not pull the trigger on the GT cause it will loose value pretty soon. I already saw the first GT-contract on the market which was offered 5% below retail price.

And I personally would not place a bet on a signifikant enhancement of the future R8 base models - production run nowadays is so low that at Audi they are not sure what to do.... They are principally planning a change to dual clutch and some other mods but to my knowledge the board is also still considering to end production in a while....