In the world of the cinema we are used to seeing famous car brands associated with their equally famous movie star counterparts. James Bond would not be the super agent of Her Majesty’s Secret Service without the company of his infallible Aston Martin. The young Marty McFly would certainly not have found his way back to the future without the help of a DeLorean which turned into a time machine. And Charlie Crocker would have found it very difficult to make his spectacular escape through the streets of Venice without the unconditional support of his fleet of Mini Coopers.
So it comes as no surprise that Iron Man, the Super Hero of the moment, has a high-tech four wheeled side kick of the latest design, a car that shouts the word “style” to the four winds. And it was the Audi R8 that was deemed fit to fulfill this role, a model that was launched by Audi during 2007 and was selected as Sports Car of the Year by the authoritative German magazine Autobild.
The R8 is a worthy product of an automotive tradition based around cars built for competition. Its ancestors included models that won races on the most demanding tracks on the planet. So it comes as no surprise that an initial glimpse of its structure and bodywork evokes something of the race car. Its design also seems to owe something to Lamborghini, again no surprise as Lamborghini merged with Audi some years ago.
From the moment when the R8 starts its engine, it continues to pay homage to its makers. The V8 drive unit, developing 420 HP, pushes the R8 to 100 kph in only 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 301 kph.
However this is not the only technological extravagance used by Audi in developing this sports model, ensuring its entry into the major league of the genre. It also boasts FSI direct fuel injection, which increases the engine’s performance and combustion efficiency. The brakes employ eight cylinder fixed calipers on the front wheels and four cylinder ones on the back, while the suspension uses the Audi Magnetic Ride system, using variable suspension technology.
In place of conventional suspension system oil, a special liquid is used, which has a viscosity controlled by an electromagnetic field. This allows the driver to experience incredible dynamics which respond not just to the vehicle’s movement but also adapt the direction of the drive train to the road profile under the wheels, and all this in a matter of milliseconds.
The transmission also boasts advantages such as the R Tronic technology, normally reserved for racing cars, featuring gear changes via a joystick on the central console or through paddles on the steering wheel. This allows very accurate shifting using an electronic signal, with no need for a clutch. This solution combines the sports performance of a manual gear box with the advantages of an automatic.
The final technological advantage of the R8 is the system known as Quattro, developed by Audi and which has become the main symbol of the brand. It uses four drive wheels which allow better acceleration and greater stability. The Quattro also continuously adjusts the distribution of power between the front and rear axles, ensuring better traction and road holding on very slippery road surfaces.
However not all of the R8’s charms lie in its engineering. A large part of its attraction also results from its styling, embodied in futuristic bodywork, constructed from composite panels of aluminum and carbon fiber. Combined with an aluminum chassis, this allows Audi to keep the car’s weight down to the optimum level. The design features side blades that are even clearer evidence of the model’s sporting heritage, and the rear spoiler which deploys automatically once the car reaches 100 kph and demounts when the car slows to 35 kph. Naturally the design is also in step with all of the other modern characteristics of the engine.
The rear and front lights use LED technology, guaranteeing low energy consumption while also producing light almost as bright as day. This is not the only expression of comfort and complements the interior’s ergonomic design, leather upholstery and the multitude of storage compartments. However the aspect that will really capture the ladies’ hearts is the driver’s seat, which makes you feel as if you are in the driving seat of a racing car. From here you can imagine you are at the wheel of one of its single seat race car ancestors during a thrilling race, while you enjoy the smooth ride in your Iron Man style super sports car.
For more information visit http://microsites.audi.com/ironman |
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