2019 Audi R8 gets A1-inspired front, up to 620 PS V10

The second-generation Audi R8 has been around since 2015, and a facelift is most certainly in order, as if previous spyshots and the debut of the recent R8 LMS GT3 weren’t a clear indicator already. Well, 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.

In its latest form, 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.

Detail

Detail

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.

As expected, 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 (562 hp) 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, respectively.

Meanwhile, the R8 V10 performance quattro replaces the V10 plus, and gets 620 PS (612 hp) 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.

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