Audi‘s expansion plans are materializing to the tune of €13 billion by 2016, heralding growth that enthusiasts are sure to cheer for and that will provide new jobs for German students.

That €13 billion will mostly go towards new technology, but the company is also looking to add about 1,200 new specialists to their team in 2012. That number is in addition to the 3,500 new employees the company added this year. Audi plans to find the fresh blood by offering permanent contracts to students from vocational academies and StEP program (Study and Experience in Practice) students once they finish their training.

Despite bringing so many new hands on deck, the company plans to spend €10.5 billion on new hybrid and electric vehicles.

“To maintain our profitable growth, we will step up investment spending on new products,” said Axel Strotbek, Member of the Board of Management for Finance and Organization at Audi AG.

On the more immediate horizon, the automaker also confirmed new models for 2012: the A8 hybrid that uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder and the next generation A3. Along with that, the company also confirmed the 2013 A6 allroad Quattro and fully electric R8 e-Tron (pictured above).

GALLERY: Audi R8 e-Tron:

Mansory’s extravagant creations are becoming more hit-or-miss in terms of success, but thankfully their rendition of Audi’s R8 Spyder is tolerable if not elegant. Known to sometimes go over the top, we’re surprised by the subtle approach Mansory took with Audi’s exotic convertible supercar.

Of course carbon fiber is incorporated, featured on the new front grille, hood accents, and specific portions on the front, side and rear in order to provide additional aerodynamics. The front lip improves handling and agility while the side skirts lead air smoothly to the rear spoiler. The rear bumper and diffuser are also new from Mansory, transforming the R8 without actually ruining it.

Under the hood, the 5.2L V10 gets a sport air filter and exhaust system bringing peak horsepower to 552-hp and torque to 406 lb-ft. Mansory also outfitted the R8 Spyder with their own wheels, staggering a 20×8.5-inch pairing with a 20×11-inch pairing in the rear. New springs also gives the R8 Spyder a lowered stance.

As usual, Mansory offers custom interior modifications from personalized floormats to custom leather upholstery and carbon trim. Aluminum illuminated door sills, pedals and footrests are also available.

No pricing was announced for Mansory’s R8 Spyder tuning program.

GALLERY: Mansory Audi R8 Spyder

It’s hard to believe Audi was able to improve their highly successful R8 LMS GT3 race car, but they’ve just announced that the R8 LMS ultra will be launched in 2012, with deliveries starting in March. Current R8 LMS customers have won a combined 115 races and 12 national and international titles in just three years.

So where and how did Audi improve the R8 LMS for their ultra model? They started with new doors made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic and high-energy absorbing crash foams. There is also a new PS1 safety seat developed by Audi offering plenty of extra protection. The transmission was updated to provide additional longevity during endurance races.

To enhance an already impressive powerplant, Audi maximized the 5.2L V10 to 570-hp thanks to a new exhaust system with race-spec catalytic converters. The engine is still based on the production motor produced at Audi’s plant and customers have reported easily hitting over 12,000-miles on their motors with no issues.

For cooling enhancements, Audi gave the car a larger engine oil cooler, transmission fluid cooler, and an oil cooler for the steering hydraulics was relocated to the vehicle’s mid-section from the front of the previous car.

Front wheel widths have been upsized to 12-inch sizes instead of 11-inches (for a wider track) and as of next season Michelin will be offering wider tires to allow for more consistent lap times. Furthermore, aerodynamic improvements were made throughout the LMS ultra including a wider front hood, and a new front plate with optimized diffusion is under the front end.

The Audi R8 LMS ultra comes in at a hefty $446,890 plus VAT based on today’s conversion rates.

GALLERY: Audi R8 LMS Ultra

Porsche‘s new supercar, targeted squarely at the Ferrari 458, might be borrowing its underpinnings from the next-gen Audi R8.

The German sports car manufacturer is already well on its way to developing the part-carbon fiber car, though what they have so far borrows heavily from Audi. It’s not something Porsche is happy about, but Volkswagen, their parent company, sees sharing the underpinnings of the R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo as an easy way to save costs.

Despite corporate orders preference, Porsche may actually delay releasing its car until the 2020s in order to build it with a bespoke chassis. If they decide to adopt the R8 chassis, it would mean their new car could be on the market next to the second generation R8, versus hitting the market beside the third generation with custom underpinning.

[Source: AutoCar]

With Bugatti allowing its supercar Veyron to be ordered with virtually an infinite number of color combinations, it’s no surprise that other exotic car manufacturers are getting into the business of letting customers personalize their vehicles as well. Audi Exclusive is the newest addition to the bandwagon, allowing customers to choose their exterior color, side-blade color, and a bunch of unique interior trims and color combinations.

Most R8 owners will probably love the idea of being able to personalize the color combinations of the interior, from a variety of leather finishes and contrasting stitching shades. Take a look through the gallery below, of vehicles already built using the new Audi Exclusive program.

GALLERY: Audi Exclusive R8 Configurations

As much as we love Audi‘s new R8 Spyder, there is something wrong with it – the potential to catch on fire! Not to worry, however, as Audi has issues a recall on all 920 R8 Spyders dating from 2011 and 2012.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the fuel supply line could rub against the heat shield in the engine compartment leading to a small fuel leak, which could eventually cause a fire.

This is certainly not the news any R8 owner wants to hear, especially after paying a seriously hefty fee for such an awesome vehicle. The first complaint was filed on June 6th, when the owner could smell fuel after refilling his Spyder. Those that own a 2011-2012 R8 Spyder should contact Audi at 1-800-822-2834 to have the fuel line inspected and replaced if need be. The last thing we want to hear about are burnt down R8 Spyders on the side of the road.

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2011 Audi R8 Spyder Review

The Audi R8 is nearly five years old, which is amazing because the sports car still seems relatively new, however the first details are emerging regarding a facelift for the model.

The details regarding the possible facelift include a tweak in power. Sources suggest the 4.2-liter V8 will produce 444-hp up from 430-hp and the 5.2-liter V10 will produce 533-hp up from 525-hp. The R8 may also receive a seven-speed S-tronic transmission which would replace the current R-tronic unit.

Styling changes will include  revised headlights, modest tweaks to the fascias and different rims.

[Source: World Car Fans]

Audi has once again won the Silvretta Electric Car Rally in Austria’s Montafon region. Last year, the R8 e-tron won the competition, and this year, a Q5 also competed finishing sixth place out of 32 vehicles.

The A1 e-tron bearing the number 206 covered 307 kilometers in three days, winning the car rally. The event was held from July 7th to July 9th on “highly taxing mountain roads” with inclines up to 15 percent. Franciscus van Meel, the driver of the A1 e-tron said, “Sending an electric car into the Alps is one of the toughest challenges you can present it with. The fact that the A1 e-tron proved so impressive here is especially gratifying to me and it proves we’re on the right track with our electric mobility approach of combining an electric motor with a combustion engine”.

The A1 is fitted with a 75-kilowatt electric motor, 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and single-disc, and a 254-cc rotary engine. This car had enough power to propel the range-extended electric into the lead.

Gallery: Audi A1 E-tron

It is understood that kids living in the country side climb behind the wheel of vehicles at an earlier age, whether it be to cut grass or haul hay. This, however, is not a story about a lawn mower or farm tractor.

The boy featured in this vehicle gets to hoon around in his dad’s shiny new Audi R8, performing donuts as his dad films. Surprisingly he does a great job considering the vehicle has tons of power and has a manual transmission. Better he be hooning it up in an R8 with his dad then sitting in front a TV playing video games, right?

Check out the video after the jump!

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Audi donated two chrome R8s for the Elton John Aids Foundation that were auctioned off at the annual White Tie and Tiara Ball on Thursday June 23rd.

The first R8 sold for £250,000, but interest was so strong that a second version was provided by Audi UK, that also sold for a similar amount. The second example also attracted a high bid value and was then generously submitted for a second time, raising a total of £620,000.

“We are absolutely delighted to have been instrumental in raising such a magnificent sum for Sir Elton’s charity,” commented Jeremy Hicks, Director of Audi UK. “We couldn’t, of course, have done so without the incredible generosity of Sir Elton’s guests, to whom we owe an enormous vote of thanks” he added.

The R8 Spyders feature a fully-automatic lightweight fabric hood and was the 5.2-liter V10 version producing 525-hp with a manual transmission and can hit 194mph and achieve a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds.

The Elton John AIDS Foundation is amongst the ten largest AIDS grant-making organisations in the world, currently managing over £14 million in programmes across 15 countries helping thousands of men, women and children with life-saving medication, education, shelter and support.