Audi R8: A Race Down Memory Lane

Named after the LMP1 endurance race car that won the ALMS title from 2000 thru 2006 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 2000 until 2005, the Audi R8 is a mid-engine 2-seater designed exclusively by quattro GmbH based on the Lamborghini Gallardo platform. We know how many of you in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Largo appreciate the beauty of a four second car, so here at Crown Audi in Clearwater, FL , we figured we’d take you all for a stroll….or race… down memory lane.

1998

Audi displayed the very first R8R prototype at Berlin’s Velodrome in December of 1998. Audi Sport’s Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich was quoted saying, “The public should immediately know that is an Audi built to win Le Mans. We must make no compromises.” …and they didn’t.

2000

True to its promise, the Audi R8 went 1-2 at Laguna Seca, winning the ALMS Championship in October of 2000. To say the R8 slaughtered its competition all year long would be a serious understatement. The wins just kept piling up for Audi. Not a bad way to introduce yourself.

2006

We finally got our first look at the R8 when it debuted in the United States in October of 2006. The production R8 had barely completed its debut in Paris when another one showed up in New York City for the grand opening of the Audi Forum New York. It literally stopped traffic.

2009

Audi added a heart thumping V10 to the R8, changing the game forever with its 520 (yep – count ‘em – five hundred and twenty) horsepower. The Audi R8 V10 made its first appearance at Detroit’s International Auto Show in January of 2009.

2015

The 2015 road edition features an FSI® V8, V10 or V10 plus engine, Audi magnetic ride, Full LED headlights and LED taillights, Leather/Alcantara® seating surfaces, and BLUETOOTH® wireless technology. But enough about that – let’s talk about what really matters. The car clears 0-60 in 4.4 seconds flat and tops out at 188 mph. Yes.

What’s Next?

Considered a sibling of the Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4, the 2016 Audi R8 is already creating quite a stir among auto enthusiasts worldwide. We expect it to arrive sometime this year. How long it stays here, on the other hand, is anyone’s guess! Visit us at Crown Audi in Clearwater, FL for updates as we receive more information from Audi.

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