Audi set for supercar race

Audi has confirmed it is to build a high-performance production version of its 'Le Mans' concept, going on sale in 2007.

Audi's new high-performance model is based on its 'Le Mans quattro' concept car presented two years ago. It will make its market debut in the second quarter of 2007 as the Audi R8.

The Le Mans concept model is a mid-engined two-seater This mid-engined two-seater is powered by a five-litre V10 'biturbo' engine with FSI direct fuel injection, developing 610 bhp at 6,800 rpm.

The Audi Le Mans quattro accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and to 200 km/h in 10.8 seconds. There are no details as to what engines will power the R8 production model.

Production is set to begin at Audi's Neckarsulm, Germany, plant in the fourth quarter of 2006.

Audi has promised to launch six completely new models in the coming three years.

By 2008, it expects vehicle sales to breach the 1 million mark, helped by the addition of new models such as the Q7 SUV and the R8.

As news broke of the R8 launch, parent company VW confirmed it was delaying the launch of the its Eos coupe-cabriolet model by two months to May 2006 due to quality issues. A spokesman said VW Brand Group chief Wolfgang Bernhard made the decision since some problems still had to be worked out.

The German group has also announced it's dropping its flagship Phaeton from its model range in the US from the middle of next year.

The decision is a setback for Volkswagen's efforts to compete against models such as the Mercdes-Benz S-Class at the high end of the premium market.

The Phaeton, a prestige project for former chief executive and current VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech, has already had to be sold in the US at a discounted price compared to Europe.

US sales this year averaged 70 a month, compared to 1,800 Lexus LS, 1,200 BMW 7-Series and 1,000 S-Class Mercedes.