After countless teaser photos and videos, Audi has finally released images and information on its facelifted R8 model.
Visually, the R8 has received a mild makeover, with restyled LED headlights featuring strip-shaped daytime running lights and integrated static turning lights, LED rear lights, revised bumpers with three crossbars across the air intakes, horizontal chrome grille ribs on V10-engined cars, an optional carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) front splitter and circular tailpipes lifted from the current R8 GT.
Powerplants begin with the The 4.2 FSI V8, which produces 316 kW (430 hp) and 430 Nm (317 lb/ft) of torque, allowing the S tronic-equipped Coupe to hit 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph), with manual versions taking 4.6s but reaching 302 km/h (188 mph), while the V8 Spyder is just 0.2s behind its Coupe counterpart. Average consumption for the S tronic V8 Coupe is 12.4 litres of fuel every 100 km.
The brawnier 5.2-litre V10 engine develops 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (391 lb/ft); enough for a 3.6s 0-100 km/h time and 314 km/h (195.11 mph) top speed, with figures of 3.9 seconds and 316 km/h (196 mph) for the manual Coupe. Once again, the open-topped car takes just 0.2s longer before reaching top speeds of 311 km/h (193 mph) and 313 km/h (194 mph) respectively. That extra propulsion is paid for at the pumps, with an average consumption of 13.1 litres of fuel every 100 km in the S tronic Coupe. The company’s 6-speed manual transmission is standard on the V8 and optional on the V10, with the 7-speed S tronic – which replaces the outgoing 6-speed r tronic – standard on the V10 and an option on the V8.
For now, top of the tree is the new Audi R8 V10 plus. Available in Coupe form only, it features otherwise optional equipment, such as the CFRP splitter, Carbon Sigma interior inlays, LED engine compartment lighting, GFRP adjustable bucket seats and carbon ceramic brakes. Other differences include a matte paint option, a larger diffuser, black tailpipes, CFRP mirrors and side blades and an improved engine output of 404 kW (550 hp) and 540 Nm (398 lb/ft). That means 100 km/h occurs in a mere 3.5s and top speed is 317 km/h (197 mph). Manuals take 3.8 s and hit 319 km/h (198 mph), with average consumption for the S tronic working out at 12.9 litres per 100 km and 14.9 litres for the manual.
European Audi showrooms will see the new R8 range before the end of this year, with prices starting at €113,500 for the V8 Coupe and €124,800 for the Spyder. The V10 variants begin at €154,600 and €165,900 respectively, while the R8 V10 plus will set you back €173,200.
[Source: Audi]