Audi R8: The Ultimate Driving Machine?

Oligarchical Russian BMW R8 - click above image for high-res gallery

In the pantheon of automotive wrongs, the Slavic hoser behind this "BMW R8" spotted in Moscow is a god. Hang around this car blogging business long enough and you see a lot of terrible things at SEMA. But this thing is almost cake-taking. Some of y'all might remember the Bentley badged up as Hyundai from a couple years back -- but that was at least funny. This Audi/BMW is just... weird. For instance, if the guy's being serious, like, why not just buy an M6? They basically cost the exact the same amount. And also, isn't the Audi R8 somewhat more desirable? We're really at a loss as too why anyone would do this. Your thoughts? And a very special thanks to Justin for bringing this... thing to our attention. Shudder.

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Spy Pics :Hardcore Audi R8 ‘Sport’

BMW has enjoyed some success with its CSL range of stripped out ready-to-race M3s and Mercedes-Benz has delivered several of its own lightweight Black Series model. That leaves the third major German luxury automaker, Audi, which will soon offer uprated sports versions of its regular production models. Speaking at a recent press event Audi’s quattro development chief Stefan Reil hinted that lightweight versions of the R8 supercar and TT were being considered.

Still in the works is a high-performance RS version of the R8 and possibly even an R8 V-12 TDI but according to Reil Audi could also offer a new “Sport” derivative of the R8 as well as the smaller TT. This wouldn’t be the first time Audi developed such a car. Back in 2005 Audi released a limited edition TT quattro Sport to mark the end of production of the previous generation TT. The car had a slight increase in power over the standard model as well as firmer suspension, a stripped our interior and Recaro bucket seats.

"This is the direction you can go and make business," Reil explained. "It makes sense for the TT, and maybe in the future in an R8."

This week reports have emerged claiming Audi is testing its new R8 Sport. A mysterious prototype with several race-inspired elements has been sighted in Germany, including an oversized fixed rear wing, small canards attached to the front bumper, and bigger brakes. Not much else is known but expect a modest power hike over the standard R8 V-10’s 525 horsepower output.

Such a model will likely be aimed at well-heeled racing enthusiasts as well as small privateer teams not willing to splurge on the more extreme R8 LMS race car.

Audi’s Italian cousin Lamborghini showed the way with the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni, and we hope that the German automaker will follow suit.

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Audi announces U.S. pricing for 2010 R8, including R8 V10

Audi's R8 - often referred to as a detuned Gallardo - recently got a step closer to its Lamborghini cousin with the addition of a 5.2L V10 engine, and today Audi has released U.S. pricing for the 2010 model.

The 2010 Audi R8 V10 starts at $146,000 for the manual-equipped version, while the dual-clutch R tronic transmission bumps the price to $155,100. That's a considerably better bargain than the first R8 V10 sold in the U.S., which went for $500,000 at auction back in February. A second also sold for $350,000.

To be fair, however, the money from those cars went to charity. The winning bidders, Tom Gonzales and George and Sue Levin, took possession of their new R8 V10s today as well.

"Plenty of people have been waiting to get behind the wheel of these remarkable sports cars, so it’s great to give these generous donors – Mr. Gonzales and the Levins – the first opportunities to enjoy the Audi R8 V10 experience," said Jon Kolody, Area Sales Manager, Audi of America.

Shipment of the rest of the R8 V10 fleet will begin now that the first buyers have their cars.

The standard R8 with the 4.2L V8 engine starts from $114,200 this year, with the R tronic raising the price by the same $9,100 interval to $123,300.

With the addition of the V10 engine, Audi moves the R8's performance into the supercar category, with 0-60mph ticking past in 3.7 seconds - a hair quicker than the 638hp Corvette ZR1.

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