Audi has revealed a series of mid-life updates for the Audi R8 ahead of it going on sale in the UK early next year.
The McLaren 570S rival benefits from exterior revisions, a power boost and tweaks to improve handling.
Visual changes for the 2019-model-year update are subtle but include a redesigned grille with 3D optics for a honeycomb effect and the removal of the aluminium bar that crossed the grille of the old model.
Darker headlights with black-trimmed surrounds have been added and a new spoiler wraps around the front of the car and continues into the deeper side skirts. The air intakes behind the doors have been enlarged for greater cooling potential and a new full-width honeycomb grille at the rear serves the same purpose, as well as adding “more visual aggression”, according to Audi.
The tailpipe design has been changed from rectangular to oval, with the exhaust surrounds made from matt black titanium on the R8 V10 Performance — new branding that replaces the old V10 Plus.
Fresh colour options, such as the Ascari Blue of the car pictured here, and additional 19in or 20in alloy wheel designs also feature, including special forged items for the Performance model. An optional black exterior package brings black badging front and rear, and grey matt and carbon side blades are also available.
Other than some new Alcantara trim, the interior is all but unchanged.
The big news mechanically is the changes to the 5.2-litre V10. ECU and other revisions boost the standard R8 from 533bhp to 562bhp, with torque up by 10lb ft to 406lb ft. The Performance, expected to be the biggest seller, takes it a step further again thanks partly to a new titanium valve train, with power rising from the old V10 Plus’s 603bhp to 611bhp and torque by 4lb ft to 417lb ft.
Join the debate
Add your comment
I love the idea of the Spider
I love the idea of the Spider as a cheaper alternative to the Hurracan, and saw one at the Audi Sport day at my local dealer [I have bought 2 RS Audis from him so am a fan] However the killer for this and the Jaguar F Type is the Porsche 911, which with its 2 small rear seats and room for golf clubs and assorted stringed instruments is a MUCH better daily proposition.A plain C4 Cabrio with a Litchfield chip for GBP995 giving 460HP would be ideal,no contest! Who needs a GTS?
madmac wrote:
You truly are Mad Mr Mac. Not one but two Audi's! Do you wear Aviators and frequent Grinder?
This is simply the best.
These autonomus cars have been in the game for some time. It is up to us now that we make the most of them and use them to our advantage. I think prices will reduce with time.
Brandon @ Broadband Junkie
Simpler...
...to buy a Porsche and enjoy a car with "handling (and ride) heritage"..I'll leave it there.
405line wrote:
they are the best, but too ubiquitious. R8 is a rare bird, and it has NA engine.
405line wrote:
Leave it there, where? loserville.. cause that's where Porsche drivers all live.