New Audi R8 revealed

Evergreen V10 supercar gets refreshed look and more power

James_brodie@dennis.co.uk @jimmybrods

The second-generation Audi R8 has reached an important milestone in its lifespan: the supercar has been facelifted, given a fresh new look and gained more power for 2019.

On sale in Britain early next year, the nip-and-tuck is fairly minor. The front end has been updated with a lower, widerlooking grille intended to slot the R8 in right alongside recent Audi releases such as the Q8 SUV and the new A6. The front apron is a little more intricate, too, with an additional pair of blades in the side vents and a new front splitter.

There’s a new three-part engine cover and three exterior packages for buyers to choose from, too, tweaking the finishes on exterior parts such as the front splitter. Fresh paint colour options have been added, while inside, there are some new colour stitching options – that’s all.

Mechanically, Audi promises some pretty big changes, with more power across the board the headline-grabbing tweak. The 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 still sits in pride of place in the middle of the chassis, with new valve train components made from titanium. In the base R8, power increases from 533bhp to 562bhp, and torque goes up 10Nm to 550Nm. The 0-62mph time drops to 3.4 and 3.5 seconds for the Coupé and convertible Spyder models respectively, with top speeds bumped up to 201mph and 200mph as well.

The R8 V10 Plus becomes the R8 Performance, now developing 612bhp. Top speeds remain unchanged at 205mph for the Coupé and 204mph for the Spyder, but both go from 0-62mph 0.1 seconds quicker, doing the sprint in 3.1 and 3.2 seconds respectively.

Audi has rejigged the R8’s steering and suspension set-ups, changes which it claims result in greater high-speed stability and turn-in precision. Both cars with optional dynamic steering and standard electromechanical power steering have been updated. The brand also says it has been working on the spread of selectable driving modes each R8 is equipped with, claiming that the differences between the Comfort, Auto and Dynamic set-ups are now more distinct. You can still choose individual modes, while dry, wet and snow settings are found on the R8 Performance.

A rise over the current £112,525 asking price for the entry-level Audi R8 is expected when the new car arrives.

Audi is clobbered with £700m fine

AUDI has been fined £700million (€800m) by German authorities for breaching car emissions rules. The firm said it will not contest the fine and that it “admits responsibility for the deviations from regulatory requirements”.

The penalty comes after prosecutors detected ‘deviations from regulatory requirements’ related to examples of Audi’s V6 and V8 diesel engines.

It brings to an end Audi’s proceedings at the hands of Munich prosecutors, and follows an £880million fine for parent company VW levied by German authorities earlier this year.

Engine tweaks and facelift for Audi’s V10 supercar

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