This afternoon I took a factory tour at Neckarsulm. For those not familiar, they build the A6/S6/RS6/A8/S8 and R8 in Neckarsulm as well as final assembly of the RS4. I was able to see several RS6 Avants as well as many R8s around the facility.

During the tour, I asked the tour guide if she had seen any RS6 sedans, she replied she normally sees one in the quattro GmbH parking area. She was very friendly throughout the tour and told me that if I wanted to she would walk me back to the parking lot after the normal tour if I wanted. Um, yeah!

So at the end of the normal tour, we started walking back behind the Audi Forum and I noticed two dark grey R8s - one of which had wider side blades. I said "hey, is that a V10 R8?" to which she replied "I don't think so, because the V10 has a different bumper" but we walked over and looked closely and the rear window was blacked out so you couldn't see the engine, but when we looked at the paperwork on the passenger seat it said "V10 FSi". She mentioned that it was odd because the V10s normally have oval exhausts. A very cool guide - you could tell she was way into the cars.

So we arrived at the quattro GmbH parking area around the corner and she walked me to an RS6 sedan in a color she called Sepang Blue - a pretty color that showed the curves on the RS6. To me the RS6 sedan looked much more aggressive than the RS6 Avant - the flared rear fenders seem to protrude more. I don't think they do, but they seem to.

So as we were looking at the RS6 sedan, a red R8 drove by, and it had a really unique sound to it - deeper and louder than any R8s I've heard. We both followed it with our eyes and I noticed it had the wider side blades, then noticed that it had the oval exhausts. Holy crap! She could obviously tell I was excited so on our return to the Audi Forum she walked me in the direction that the R8 had gone and as we rounded the corner of one of the buildings there was the R8 parked with 3 engineer guys looking at it. She walked me right up and started explaining the visual differences to me:

- Different side blades that have a larger opening
- Oval exhaust outlets
- The front and rear bumpers have fewer louvers in them - only 2 per side instead of the 3 louvers on the V8 bumpers
- The rear bumper actually had a defined diffuser on it like the A4 DTM and RS6 have

The R8 V10 had the back window blacked out, so I couldn't see the engine, but it had a VIN number. The RS6 in the Audi Forum did not.

After looking at the R8 for a few minutes we walked back to the Audi Forum and that was it.

I may return later this week if I have time and do a R8 production tour if I have time.

Unfortunately, no cameras are allowed on the tour and she asked me to not take pictures when we were walking around. Bummer to not have pictures of that car!

Here are a couple of the R8 that is in the Audi Exclusive area in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm. Notice the Carbon mirror covers - an option that will be available later this year, as well as the suede steering wheel (which I think is available now in certain markets)...

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2554%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2555%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2561%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2562%20(Medium).JPG">

Some of the R8 cutaway in the Audi Forum. I'd love to see a real car in clear brushed aluminum/carbon like this one is...

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2580%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2597%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2581%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2582%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2583%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2603%20(Medium).JPG">

And, last but not least, some pictures of the RS6 on display in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm:

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2563%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2576%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2574%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2575%20(Medium).JPG">

<img src="http://www.stahmann-motorsports.com/Audi/Neckars08/IMG_2564%20(Medium).JPG">

Phew!

Like I said earlier, I sure wish I could have taken some pictures of the R8 V10 and the RS6 sedan, but it wasn't allowed. Enjoy the rest, though...

John

Did she give any indications as to whether the sedan or the avant would be coming to the US? I doesn't really matter to me, I will take either. You could wrap that engine in a cardboard box and I would buy it.

that allowed because that is what i would do.

which is not available in many States. The engine will burn holes in the pistons apparently unless 93 is used. It's as simple as that and that came from very high up in Audi Corporate.

Great news! Got to check on my order as well! You didn't happen to get any info on the cab/targa R8???

I'm jealous you got to peep the V10 so early and the aluminum bosy R8 pics are amazing!

it's all i use in my car, because 91 isnt available.

they should bring the rs6 to NC

We'll be at Neckarsulm this summer and hope to have a similar experience!

since most cars are west coast bound I can see Audi saying no to the import. Which sucks.

Come on west coast get it together and go with 93 as a minimum.

Maybe the Europeans need an excuse to make themselves feel better for paying substantially more for gasoline, but 93 octane in the U.S. is much higher grade than 93 octane in Europe.

From a director at Audi AG as well as someone from quattro GmbH...

When I asked them about the 93 octane requirement they looked at me like I was crazy. By their reactions I have some doubts about what you were told.

That car is so good looking in person...

A brushed R8 would harken back to the DeLorean days but it would look cool. The carbon mirrors are awesome. The RS6 is fantastic. In the last shot it looks like someone shot a BB through the rear window from the lighting.