The sun may have been scorching hot yesterday but that hardly bothered the assembled journalists. The sight of Audi’s sports performance models glistening in the noon day sun left most salivating with poorly hidden maniacal glees. Beyond the cars lay an almost unending expanse of tarmac that one could really run free. It was motoring nirvana. Journalists spent the morning 'practicing’ at Microsoft’s booth that was showcasing the third incarnation of their Gran Turismo beating Forza Motorsport.

If that wasn’t enough, some journalists were unleashed on mini RC Audi DTM cars racing each other around a purpose built track. It wasn’t all for fun though. Best times at both booths guaranteed either a Xbox 360 or a Kyosho Mini-Z Audi RC car for the lucky journalist to take home. Exquisite lunch as is Audi’s custom was served before the real driving of the day started. Of course the highlight of the event was three laps in Audi’s latest revamped supercar, the Audi R8 V10.

The event was organised to launch Audi’s latest 'power’ models. Namely the S3 Sportback, S4 and the long awaited R8 V10.

The new Audi S3 Sportback promises a sportier and more economical drive. Fitted with an immensely powerful engine under its hood, the 2.0 TFSI has an output of 256bhp with a maximum torque of 330Nm constantly available from 2,500rpm to 5,000rpm. Catapulting the car from 0 to 100 km/h in little over 5.6 seconds.

Besides skin deep changes, the new Audi S3 Sportback also appears sharper than before. The two dynamic high-flyers can be recognised at first glance thanks to a range of sharp lines on the roof and side sills.

Higher up the rung of Audi’s 'powerbar’ lies the new S4. The new Audi S4 is a well-trained athlete; its new 3.0 TFSI engine combines the power of 333bhp and 440Nm of torque with astonishingly low fuel consumption at 9.7 litres per 100km. The quattro permanent four wheel drive system ensure practically loss-free transfer of power to the road with a sports suspension and a high performance brake system to control it reliably.

The S4 is extending its lead even further with performance technologies such as the seven-speed S tronic, which changes gears with lightning speed without any interruption to the power delivery. As an option, the S4 now offers the new sport differential that distributes the torque as needed between the rear wheels.

Now the crown jewel of Audi’s performance models has finally arrived in Singapore. The brand new Audi R8 V10.Sharing the same engine as that in the Lamborghini Gallardo 560-4, the R8 produces blistering performance figures with 525bhp on tap coupled with 530Nm of torque. Not only does it share the heart but also the crescendo-like roar of a Lamborghini. Many times during the event, journalists couldn’t help but turn towards that sonorous roar every time an R8 took off for its laps.

To highlight Audi’s generosity, one of the R8s that were making the rounds belonged to none other than the Managing Director of Audi Singapore,
Reinhold Carl himself. Such is the hospitality that Audi Singapore extends to
journalists to make every event a memorable one.

Technical Specifications

Audi S3 Sportback

Engine
Type: Inline 4 cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
Displacement: 1984cc
Max Power (bhp): 265 @ 6000rpm
Max Torque (Nm): 350 @ 2500 - 5000rpm

Chassis
Steering: Electromechanical steering with speed-dependent power assistance
Brakes: Ventilated discs front and rear
Suspension: McPherson struts with lower wishbone (front), Four-link rear suspension (rear)
Tyres: 225/40 R18

Dimensions
Length (mm): 4302
Width (mm): 1765
Height (mm): 1402
Wheelbase (mm): 2578
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): 1495
Fuel Capacity (l): 60

Performance
Max Speed (km/h): 250 *electronically limited
Acceleration 0 - 100km/h (s): 5.8

Audi S4 3.0 TFSI

Engine
Type: Aluminium V6 DOHC
Displacement: 2295cc
Max Power (bhp): 333bhp @ 5500 - 7000rpm
Max Torque (Nm): 440Nm @ 2900 - 5300rpm

Chassis
Steering: Rack and pinion steering with power assistance
Brakes: Ventilated discs front and rear
Suspension: Five-link suspension with upper and lower wishbones with tubular anti-roll bar (front), Trapezoidal-link suspension (rear)
Tyres: 245/40 R18

Dimensions
Length (mm): 4717
Width (mm): 1826
Height (mm): 1406
Wheelbase (mm): 2811
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): 1650
Fuel Capacity (l): 64

Performance
Max Speed (km/h): 250 *electronically limited
Acceleration 0 - 100km/h (s): 5.1

Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro

Engine
Type: V10 DOHC
Displacement: 5204cc
Max Power (bhp): 525bhp @ 8000rpm
Max Torque (Nm): 530Nm @ 6500pm

Chassis
Steering: Hydraulically assisted rack and pinion steering
Brakes: Ventilated and perforated discs front and rear
Suspension: Double wishbone suspension front and rear
Tyres: 235/35Z R19 (front), 295/30Z R19 (rear)

Dimensions
Length (mm): 4435
Width (mm): 1930
Height (mm): 1252
Wheelbase (mm): 2650
Gross Vehicle Weight (kg): 1620
Fuel Capacity (l): 90

Performance
Max Speed (km/h): 316 *electronically limited
Acceleration 0 - 100km/h (s): 3.9

 

must have been quite the event

Audi really is going places

 

I am guessing an S4 is probably over 200K USD in Singapore, right?