It’s all about the power for Audi’s R8
MORE power, more torque and a top speed of 200mph-plus in all versions will be on offer in the latest Audi R8 which will go on sale next year. Visually, the latest R8 will look little different to its illustrious predecessor, other than a wider and flatter grille and a wider front splitter – but under the skin a host of engineering refinements will make the German brand’s super sports car even more desirable.
The power of the naturally aspirated V10 engine has been uprated from 532bhp to 562bhp in the ‘standard’ R8 Coupé and Spyder V10 quattro while power of the top V10 plus versions – to be designated V10 performance in the new range – has gone up by a more modest 10bhp from 601 to 611bhp. Maximum torque of both engines increases too.
With the latest engine the standard Coupe model accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 3.4 seconds before reaching a top speed of 201mph while the performance model sprints to 62mph in 3.1 seconds on its way to a 205mph maximum. Spyder convertible models are marginally slower.
The power-boosted engines aren’t the only changes under the skin, however. Audi says that the latest R8 shares 50 per cent of its components with the R8 LMS GT3 competition car revealed recently at the Paris Motor Show and that includes modifications to the suspension and driving modes to provide even more stability and precision.
According to Audi Sport managing director Michael-julius Renz: “Motorsport is part of our DNA.
“With around 50 per cent shared parts with the R8 LMS GT3, no other automobile is so close to motor racing as the R8.”
Prices and full UK specifications will be announced early next year and UK dealers are expected to start taking orders for the latest models during the first quarter of 2019.