The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

The revised R8 has been treated to improved suspension, an increase in power and bold styling tweaks
The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

The new Audi R8 is “even more powerful and faster,” the German firm has said as the first official images are released.

How much faster? Well, the entry-level version now produces 562bhp up from 533bhp, while the output of the V10 Plus has grown from 603 to 611bhp. You’re looking at 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds for the former, and 3.1 seconds for the latter.

The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

The suspension and steering have been as heavily revised as the radical and angry new nose. Both the standard electromechanical steering setup and the optional Dynamic Steering have been retuned to give improved response and, interestingly, better feedback from the road surface; an area that the outgoing R8 left room for improvement.

It’s not yet known whether there will be an RWS rear-wheel drive version, but we’re crossing our fingers…

The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

Arguably the biggest changes listed in the initial release cover new driving modes. These engine-dependant modes span dry, wet and snow modes that don’t just alter the engine and gearbox maps: they now adjust the braking performance for the level of grip. A clever new ESC stability control module can maximise the available friction to bring the flagship R8 to a halt faster. From 124mph, the stopping distance with the same standard steel brakes is as much as five metres shorter.

The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

While 19-inch wheels are standard, 20s are optional and will be a popular choice with buyers. Behind them you can spec carbon ceramic brake discs if you wish. Another trinket on the options list is a front anti-roll bar made from aluminium and carbonfibre-reinforced polymer, cutting weight over the nose by 2kg.

The Angular New Audi R8 Is Upon Us

All Audi has said about the engine so far is that the normally-aspirated V10 in the R8 shares about 50 per cent of its parts with the GT3-spec racer and 60 per cent with the GT4 car. Nice to know. The dry-sumped unit will keep operating as normal even cornering at 1.5g.

Both models will go on sale in early 2019.

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Comments

Anonymous

It’s gorgeous.

10/24/2018 - 08:40 |
5 | 5
Elliot.J99
10/24/2018 - 08:41 |
57 | 4
Anonymous

Also, the power increase is 10HP, So the normal one has 562 and the Plus has 612

10/24/2018 - 08:41 |
6 | 0
TheDriver 1

I’d simply say too many angles…

10/24/2018 - 09:07 |
26 | 1

I agree. The R8 was sort of the gentleman’s supercar, with a touch of class over super-agressive cars like the Huracan. Now it looks to be trying too hard I think.

10/24/2018 - 11:33 |
19 | 0
MeBoosta

The Audi emblem on the front did not get bigger. Innovation applied wrong Audi.

10/24/2018 - 09:44 |
2 | 0
Tomislav Celić

IMO Audi nailed everything about the R8 looks. First the first gen. It looked great. Then the second gen. That looked beautiful. This looks gorgeous. They made the transition from soft to sharp perfect.

10/24/2018 - 09:49 |
22 | 3

But it’s now trying to look like a Lamborghini with all those angles and that is desperate sign it’s trying too hard now.

10/24/2018 - 11:42 |
7 | 3

Ehhhh. Not really

Seems a bit MUCH.

and the rear is just plain ugly im sorry

10/24/2018 - 14:40 |
3 | 1
Anonymous

I’m not convinced. Why angular? It looks like they just added bits that don’t really match the car.

10/24/2018 - 10:01 |
5 | 0
Philipp 12

When do they announce the proposed v6 base model tho??

10/24/2018 - 10:01 |
0 | 0
Anonymous

Now that’s one mean looking machine 😳😳

10/24/2018 - 10:05 |
2 | 1
Anonymous

Apparently it’s a 22 kw/30 hp increase for the V10 quattro, and 7 kw/10 hp bump for the V10 performance quattro. That means power outputs of 419 kw/562 hp and 456 kw/612 hp respectively.

10/24/2018 - 10:12 |
1 | 0