Audi Sport has now unveiled the new R8 in both Coupe and Spyder guises, with
sales of both models slated to start in Europe from early 2019.
The R8’s revised styling is
inspired by the latest A1, which itself looked towards the classic Audi
Ur-Quattro. This is made obvious by the three horizontal slits located on the
bonnet, just beneath the Audi badge, but above the wider and flatter
Singleframe grille.
Other accompanying cues that are new include a more
outlandish bumper with more aggressive and angular side inlets, which are
further accentuated by vertical bars dividing them. Also fitted is a front
splitter that is wider than before, along with the air vent grille at the rear
that spans the width of the vehicle.
Elsewhere, the more expressive rear diffuser is now
flanked by round exhaust outlets, in line with other upper-range Audi Sport
models, while the air filter is now found under a new, three-part cover
(available in plastic or carbon-fibre). Moving inside, you’re met with a
largely unchanged cabin aside from some new upholstery.
Audi will offer customers no less than three
exterior packages to choose from, depending on their preferred engine variant,
which introduces various highlights to certain body components. Optional
details for the Audi rings and badges are also available, as well as new
metallic colours (Kemora Grey and Ascari Blue). Access to the Audi exclusive
range is still open for personalisation of the exterior and interior.
The R8 will soldier on with its
Lamborghini-derived 5.2 litre V10 engine, albeit with higher outputs and a
particulate filter. In its standard specification, the V10 makes 570 PS and 550 Nm of torque, which is a 30 hp and 10 Nm gain over the outgoing
version. Performance-wise, it’ll take the Coupe 3.4 seconds to get from 0-100
km/h, or 3.5 seconds for the Spyder – both models will hit 324 km/h and 322
km/h.
Meanwhile, the R8 V10 performance quattro replaces
the V10 plus, and gets 620 PS and 580 Nm, or 10 PS and 20 Nm more than
before. In this state of tune, the 0-100 km/h is slashed further, with the
coupe taking 3.1 seconds and the convertible needing 3.2 seconds. Higher top
speeds are a given as well – 331 km/h (Coupe) and 329 km/h (Spyder).
Audi also tweaked the R8’s suspension for better
stability and precision, touching upon things like the car’s optional dynamic
steering and the electromechanical power steering. The German automaker also
introduced three new settings – dry, wet and snow – to the R8’s Audi drive
select system for better distinction between them.
Optional extras include a set of 20-inch wheels as
replacements for the standard 19-inch set; ceramic brake discs as an
alternative to steel ones; and carbon-fibre reinforced polymer/aluminium for
the front splitter to trim around 2 kg.
