Ur-R8
The original R8 – the first generation, internal designation “42”, or perhaps you could say the original R8 – has a fantastic design, signed by Walter de Silva. I think Walter de Silva was on the wrong track when he designed for Seat in the same period. But the R8 was just perfect – and will always be a classic. Powering the first generation R8 is Audi's 4,2 FSI V8 and a 5,2 v10 that it shares with the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Family ties to Gallardo
Audi's sports car R8 is the sister model of the Lamborghini Gallardo, which was also developed by Audi – in parallel with the R8. The Volkswagen Group's ownership in Lamborghini has hardly weakened Lamborghini's Italian soul. Nor did the Gallardo and R8 appear as direct competitors. Although they share a platform and technique, the design language is very different.
About the pictures
If you're wondering what the engine looks like, just take a look in the rear window. That's how it should be in a sports car. The orange car was photographed at Cars & Coffee at Øvrevoll outside Oslo. The gray car was photographed outside the Tønsberg Motorshow (FIX hall), and the silver gray one was photographed in the South of France at Canet-en-Roussillon outside Perpignan.
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