Audi has taken its supercar R8 to the Nurburgring to make some direct comparisons between real-world track driving and GT5: Prologue driving as well as letting loose some secrets on the upcoming demo GT5.

GTPlanet is also featuring an interview with Gran Turismo creator, Kazunori Yamauchi in which he reveals that the upcoming Playstation 3 racer will feature both active weather effects, night racing and the previously confirmed, damage modeling. Expect the virtual racer, Gran Turismo 5, to be the largest and most realistic entry in the series yet with a release on the PS3 expected later this year. Until then, we’ll have to get our grubby hands on our overpriced copy of GT5: Prologue. [via Audi, GTplanet]

In Maranello, Italy it doesn’t matter that your Audi R8 5.2 V10 has the chassis of an Italian thoroughbred underneath. Don’t drive it through the city of Maranello. It’s just wrong and the residents won’t like you very much.

Yet another jab by Audi’s marketing folk. This time showing that the Audi R8 5.2 V10 super car brings shame and horror to the residents of Ferrari’s home town. It’s okay little Audi R8, come see us. We promise we’ll welcome you with open arms.

These tragic pictures come to us from the Netherlands, where apparently the straight, flat, canal-lined roads are too challenging for the Audi R8 guy test driving this particular Audi R8. That’s right, the guy who fscked this would-be supercar was apparently testing the car and lost control while driving at speeds up to an alleged 125 MPH.

Hit the jump for more pictures if you’re brave enough. Dutch law is calling this a total loss, so now should be a great time to dream up a better use for the 420 HP, 4.2-liter V8 at the heart of this beast.

Wrecked Exotic: Audi R8 Canal Diving

As you may know, British Automotive show TopGear is back and in full swing for their 11th season already. And to show that they are still “in touch with the needs of the people” they felt the need to give advice on fuel economy and saving money. (That and apparently the BBC is sending them letters and letters and letters). And in true Jeremy Clarkson style, he decided to gather 5 supercars and have a race. But it wouldn’t be an ordinary race, oh no. It had to have that Topgear / Jeremy Clarkson touch.

The 5 cars in the race, the Mercedes SLR Mclaren, the Lamborghini Murcielago, the Aston Martin DBS, the Ferrari 599GTB, and the Audi R8 would only have 1 gallon of gas each. They raced around their TopGear Test Track until the winner was decided.

While we couldn’t link straight to the video, as the BBC would eventually come knocking down our AutoAlerts tower for copyright infringement, I’m sure you can find the results rather easily by heading over to your favorite video site and searching for the appropriate terms. Here’s some search terms we suggest: TopGear, 11, Supercar Economy Test.

We will give away a little of the result though. As Clarkson said: its not what you drive, its how you drive it.

Audi’s aggressive plan for world domination means more models equipped with more stuff. With Audi’s goal of reaching 1.5 million units sold worldwide by 2015, Audi’s got their work cut out for them.

Well, someone in the know over at Audiblog.nl has spilled a seriously detailed list of all Audi engines for all models through the 2011 calender year — along with all the release dates for new models!

In addition to the big engine news, the leakers claim that we’ll be seeing the rumored Audi A7 model in June 2010, along with an S7 version following later that fall, with a return to a smaller forced induction variant of the the next generation Audi S4. Check out the list below for details to see what’s coming up for Audi in the next 3 years.

Audi A1
Starting with the smallest in the grid, the Audi A1 will maintain the currently planned 1.4 TFSI, but will get an 86 HP 1.2-liter TFSI good for a little less power but a bit easier on European wallets.

Audi S4
It seems the B8 Audi S4 will be returning to its former twin-turbo V6 roots, and as early as this coming November. News of this return to roots is met with virtually all positive notes, considering the engine is to displace 3.0 L but grunt out 330 HP, only 10HP shy of the current iteration. Take out some weight and the same treatment for the Avant versions and everyone’s happy.

Audi S5
In September 2010 the S5 will also be dumping its current V8 heart for the same twin-turbo 3.0 L TFSI V6 in the S4. This will also be a cut in power, but like we said about the S4, it’s not giving up much and will lighten up that porky bottom line. What’s perhaps more interesting is the introduction of an Audi RS5. It will retain the same 4.2-liter V8 in the current S5, but gets a whopping increase in power up to 450 HP. With such power on tap it’s a good thing there will be a new 7-speed to keep it in check.

Audi S5 Sportback
The previously unknown S5 Sportback will be on sale as of September 2010 and will get the 3.0 L twin-turbo TFSI mated to a 6-speed manual, or a 7 speed auto. We’re beginning to see a pattern emerge here with S-line engines, are you? Hopefully this new engine won’t have many teething problems.

Audi A7 Sportback
With a name like the Audi A7 “Sportback”, we’re expecting this as-yet unseen and unheard of version of the A7 will have a certain wagon look to it, but who knows? Perhaps it’ll be a big old 5 door. The A7 Sportback gets a 2.8L FSI, a 3.0 L TFSI, and a load of oil burners. And who would guess? An S7 Sportback? Yes, yes there will be. And this one gets a 4.0 L TFSI with 395 HP! While that’s no RS6 Avant, it’s not bad.

Audi R8 Spyder
When we got the first images of that Audi R8 V10, we couldn’t even guess on its release date. But now we know the plan is for the hardtop version of the upgraded V10-powered R8 to roll out in June of 2009, and those sun-loving Germans are going to chop the top off and give you the R8 Spyder in March 2010. The lesser 4.2 L V8 will be an option for the Spyder a bit later in the year, just in case you were interested.

Audi Q7
While there’s nothing earth shattering about the engine news on the Audi Q7 front, these docs report we can expect a facelift for the bulky SUV around August of next year. So, for the superficial in all of us, if you’re waiting to take the plunge, wait a year and see if you like the changes.

There’s an exhaustive breakdown of models, engines, and dates over at Audiblog.

Good stuff guys, but now all the surprises are gone, thanks a lot. (no, seriously) via WCF

In what seems more and more like an attempt at viral marketing each day, Audi supposedly let a failthful group of R8 owners out with a brand new, unannounced, unreleased, preproduction model of the next generation R8 with their 5.2L V10 in it.

Said group of “lucky” individuals have taken these crystal clear photos of the engine bay to show the 5 cylinders per side engine sitting in the back. And here they are for your viewing pleasure.

What do you think? Some perks to owning an Audi R8 already, or sneaky marketing attempt by Audi?