Inside, the 6.7-litre...
Inside, the 6.7-litre V8-powered car is decked out in top-quality leather, while suede upholstery on the lower door panels and transmission tunnel add to the luxury feel. Fortunately for the British market, Vauxhall has dropped the garish colour-coded trim of the Australian model seen at the 2002 British Motor Show. Instead, it has opted for all black, set off with stylish satin chrome accents, plus alloy pedals and door kickplates.
AUDI could soon be giving...
AUDI could soon be giving the phrase ò€˜electrifying performanceò€™ new meaning! Insiders at the German firm have told Auto Express that it is planning to reveal an electric version of its R8 supercar at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Itò€™s likely to take the form of a dramatic concept car, similar in design to the head-turning Audi RSQ, which previewed the R8 in the sci-fi film I, Robot back in 2004.
In the Will Smith movie, the RSQ was powered by electricity ò€“ and it seems that it could be rather prophetic.
Audi bosses are known to be keen on the idea of alternative power for the R8, having already planned a V12 TDI diesel-engined version, before having to can it as a result of the current economic downturn, as reported by Auto Express in Issue 1,062.
And thatò€™s where a zero-emissions model could step in. The VW Groupò€™s electric powertrains are already highly advanced ò€“ VW itself will take the wraps off a plug-in family car concept at Frankfurt (see Issue 1,065) ò€“ and the R8 would be an ideal showcase for a performance version, rivalling Teslaò€™s Roadster.
While Audi is keeping tight-lipped about the idea, it has confirmed that it will take the wraps off a drop-top R8 Spyder version at Frankfurt.