Audi R8 Coupe In Matte Green Is A Cool German Supercar In China

We go back in time with this Audi R8 Coupe 4.2 FSI quattro, seen in the early spring of 2011 in the Sanlitun embassy area in the Chinese capital Beijing. The speedy Audi sported a matte green wrap and darkened windows. There are about 50 embassies in this area. Most are behind high walls and surrounded by high fences.

The Audi is not an embassy car. Perhaps the owner had to get a visa for somewhere. The top-quality wrap extends over the entire car. The shiny five-spoke alloy wheels were standard. The first generation Audi R8 arrived in 2006 and it was made until 2012. It featured a 4.2-liter V8 (pictured) or a 5.2-liter V10. It was the first Audi supercar, designed by the famous Walter de Silva.

Note the Jiangling-Ford Transit van in the background. The Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro model has a 4.2 liter V8 with 420 hp and 430 Nm. The gearbox is a six-speed AMT. The top speed is 301 km/h and 0-100 takes 4.6 seconds. The official fuel consumption was a steep 13.6 liter per 100 km. Happily, it had a 75-liter fuel tank!  The R8 was hugely popular in China in the 2000s. There were clubs, meetings, and lots of tuning. I remember R8s tuned to 800 hp hitting the drag strip at the Goldenport circuit.