PPI Razor GTR - A Faster Audi R8

PPI Razor GTR Audi R8 PPI, the crazy German Audi tuners have turned an Audi R8 supercar into madness. They've already heavily tuned an R8 into what they call the PPI R8 Razor - introduced at the Essen Motor Show, but have since went off the deep end, creating the Razor GTR. The PPI Razor GTR isn't just about the radical styling and aerodynamic improvements (which are significant, as you can see,) but they've increased the engine output to 580 horsepower with the help of a supercharger system, ram air intake, and a stainless steel exhaust system. In addition to a new widebody skin, PPI redesigned the R8's sideblades, rear bumper, and rear fenders for better airflow, designed a new front bumper and rear spoiler for more downforce, and redesigned the hood and sideskirts for better brake cooling and to route air around the sides for better airflow. Those huge air inlets you see in the rear feed air into the engine, further increasing power as well as help with cooling. All of these parts are made of carbon fiber, of course, which reduces the total weight of the R8 by a significant 551 lbs. More info and images after the jump: The wider body isn't just for looks - PPI had to increase the already wide stance of the R8 to accommodate the wider, specially designed wheels which increase grip and stability. A newly designed braking system has also been added, which includes bright orange 6-piston calipers and huge rotors. A new coil-over suspension kit has also been added, allowing for a hydraulic lift system which gives the car a couple more inches of ground clearance (Lambo-style) for those pesky speed bumps and steep driveways. Nope, we're not done yet. PPI has also changed the R8 interior into what they call a "members-only lounge" by replacing the stock leather with Onyx Nubuck-leather with orange-colored accents and highlights. They've also added a ridiculous amount of carbon fiber trim to the interior, replaced the steering wheel and seats with their own, and added some badging to remind you of this car's exclusivity. No pricing has been announced, but given the limited production numbers and extensive modifications, expect it to be very…very expensive. The car will officially debut at the 2008 Essen Motor Show in Germany tomorrow.

 

Audi R8 GT3 Tests At The ‘Ring

If the GT3 division gave out points for running the meanest looking car, I bet Audi's R8 would pick up a few extra. Here's the assumed stats on the GT3 version: Although it retains the stock suspension, it is now rear wheel drive (AWD isn't allowed by the FIA in the GT3 category); the 4.2L V8 cranks out 500 horsepower. Now, onto those aero & body tweaks … first off, it looks like they swiped that rear wing from a Cessna. By the looks of it, it mounts directly to a sub-frame under the rear bonnet, but without internal pictures, I'm only guessing (that's sort of a SOP for racing). Big splitter up front of course, and no telling what the under-body treatment is like, although it's probably smooth. Note the big radiator exhaust vent just aft of the nose. That's typical; thermal loading for race cars is always a problem, so Audi is probably moving a lot of air over a much bigger radiator. Those mirrors (stock?) will probably go to be replaced by something smaller, lighter and more aerodynamic. Looks serious … can't wait to see how it runs in anger. There's more shot of the beast after the jump. Source: AutoBlog

 

Audi’s new baby steals the show

The next chapter in Audi's small car future has just been written. This sensational model is the new A1 Sportback – and it's a five-door version of the German manufacturer's forthcoming compact hatch. The A1 was first unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year in the form of the three-door Metroproject Quattro. The wraps came off this more practical model at the Paris exhibition. Together, the two concepts preview Audi's forthcoming MINI rival, due on sale in the UK in 2010. And one thing is for sure: if this latest show car is anything to go by, customers are in for something special. Taking the look of the Metroproject Quattro to new heights, the Sportback adds an extra pair of doors and a host of neat visual details. At the front is a set of adaptive LED headlights, which change their beam width and length according to how quickly the car is travelling. The rear end features a split tailgate which has a drop-down glass panel and a vertically split screen, too. And the body itself is made from lightweight steel and carbon fibre composites. Under the bonnet is the most powerful incarnation yet of Audi's 1.4-litre turbocharged TFSI unit, boasting 148bhp. This is assisted by a 20kW electric motor which provides an extra 150Nm of torque. The hybrid set-up powers the front wheels only – unlike the all-wheel-drive A1 three-door – through a seven-speed S tronic double-clutch box. Eco-friendliness is the buzz-word for the Sportback, as it also features a stop-start function and regenerative braking. In addition, it boasts Audi's adjustable Drive Select system, which incorporates a special 'efficiency' mode. Meanwhile, the satellite navigation even has a setting that can plot the most fuel efficient route to a destination, taking into account inclines and traffic density. As a result of all these features, the A1 Sportback is remarkably economical, returning a hugely impressive 72.4mpg combined. The car is extremely clean, too, emitting a mere 92g/km of CO2. And it should be a lot of fun to drive thanks to the inclusion of Audi's Magnetic Ride system, which was seen for the first time on the R8. The hi-tech equipment continues inside. While the three-door concept featured a plug-in iPhone-style set-up which started the car and allowed a range of settings to be adjusted, the Sportback accepts a variety of mobiles. Owners simply download some software from Audi, which allows their phone to 'talk' to the car. It can then be used to start the engine and remotely change temperature, warming up the interior on cold days. When the A1 officially arrives in 2010, buyers can expect a wide range of engines – including the latest small-capacity turbo petrols and super-clean diesels. An Audi spokesman told Auto Express that a hybrid version "would be available at some point down the line". Prices should start from around £15,000.

 

GT3-spec Audi R8 LMS formally unveiled at Essen (w/ Video)

The Essen Motor Show is now underway, and one of the bigger manufacturer unveilings was Audi's official presentation of the R8 LMS, the new GT3-spec racing car aimed at privateer teams. It's seen as one of Audi's so-called "three pillars" of motorsport. The automaker will not field a factory effort in the car, but it's expected that next year, several teams will be running the R8 LMS in various European series, as well as in the Nurburgring 24-hour endurance race. The €260,000 (plus VAT) asking price gets you the track-ready R8, which makes 500 horsepower from its mid-mounted V10. That power goes to the rear wheels (in GT3, AWD is a no-no) via a six-speed sequential gearbox. As you can see, the LMS certainly looks the part , with a subtly meaner nose, a big carbon-fiber front splitter, new mirrors, a giant rear wing, and a pretty wicked rear diffuser join the ten-cylinder engine among the changes made from road car to racer. Customer deliveries begin in Fall '09. Oh, to have a deep-pocketed benefactor... Audi PR follows the jump. UPDATE: Video added after the jump! Gallery: Audi R8 LMS [Source: Audi]

 

Audi R15 TDI to debut at Sebring in March, attack Le Mans in June

The Audi R10 TDI is dead. Long live the R15. That's the moniker given to the next-generation Le Mans prototype set to wear the interlocking rings. The car will make its race debut in March at the 12 Hours of Sebring, and by the time the 24 Hours of Le Mans rolls around in June, Audi will have three of the cars ready to defend the trophy won by the R10 earlier this year. Details on the new car are very limited at the moment. All that's known is that it'll have a smaller, lighter, more efficient TDI motor, will once again be a roadster, and is a more significant change than Audi undertook when it went from the R8 to the R10. The car will be publicly revealed closer to the Sebring race. According to the ALMS website, Audi Motorsport honcho Wolfgang Ullrich was quoted as saying, "It was clear to us that we must develop a new car if we wanted to continue to be successful in Le Mans." We read that as code for, "Those Peugeots were f**king fast this year. Here's our answer." By the time the cars hit the grid at Circuit de la Sarthe, the hype's going to be at a fever pitch. Bring it. Thanks to Ashutosh for the tip! Gallery: Audi R10 TDI at Sebring [Source: ALMS]

 

Audi TT-RS headed to Geneva Motor Show

Audi-philes have even more reason to rejoice now that news comes in of an imminent TT-RS launch next March at the Geneva Motor Show. The standard-fare TT offers plenty of punch, and the TT-S spices things up a bit with a high-pressure version of Audi/VW's 2.0L forced-induction four banger. Sometimes, way too much is, ya know... just enough, and for speed freaks, Audi has apparently green-lighted an ultra-hot version as well. The RS will bring the vaunted inline-five engine configuration back under the hood of an Audi, and it's a turbocharged unit derived from the mill that normally sees duty in Jettas and Golfs. If that doesn't sound like a good enough bloodline, think of it as half of Lamborghini's V10. With as much as 340 ponies corraled through a six-speed gearbox and quattro all-wheel drive, expect the TT-RS to be hottest four-ringer this side of an R8. [Source: Car and Driver]

 

Audi R8 GT3 will have coming out party in Essen

Audi has created an R8 that looks like it would rather kill things than win races, but knowing Audi it will probably just stick to winning. The customer-team specific R8 GT3 will be officially unveiled at the Essen Motor Show, which begins November 28. The car gets more than 500 horsepower going entirely to its rear wheels since GT3 rules give a big no-no to all-wheel-drive systems like Audi's quattro. The German will be testing its mettle against equally hot racers like the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3. To Aston and Jag, though: you might want to hide your young. And for those of you who make it to the Essen show, you should also look out for the Audi R10, A4 DTM, RS6 Sedan and TTS Coupe. Check out the release after the jump, and the gallery of high-res photos below. Gallery: Audi R8 GT3 Racer   Gallery: Audi R8 GT3 - spy shots [Source: Audi]