Audi has made its R8 high-performance sports car even more attractive and dynamic. The R8 V10 plus is a new top model in the model series, with a totally new 7-speed S tronic. The LED headlights and the new rear indicator lights with dynamicized display are standard equipment on all variants.

4.44 meters (14.44 ft) long, 1.90 meters (6.23 ft) wide and only 1.25 (4.10 ft) meters high (Spyder: 1.24 meters (4.07 ft)) – the broad Audi R8, developed and built by quattro GmbH, stands firmly on the road, ready to pounce. New details lend its design even more acuity. The single-frame grille with the beveled upper corners is painted high-gloss black, with horizontal chrome inserts adorning the struts on the V10 variants. The bumper is also new, with the air inlets bearing three crossbars each. As an option, Audi installs a front splitter made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The splitter is standard on the new R8 V10 plus.

LED headlights with a new technology are now standard on all variants of the Audi R8. The light-emitting diodes for the high and low beams have been placed above and below the strip-shaped daytime running lights, which are specially actuated to serve as indicators. In addition, static turning lights are integrated in the headlights.

The housings of the outside mirrors and the side blades, the lateral air inlets on the Coupé, are made from CFRP on the new R8 V10 plus top model. In the 10-cylinder variants the blades extend outwards farther than on the V8 and have special edging; small marks of distinction also occur at the sills. The vent louvers next to the rear window have an aluminum look on the R8 V10 Coupé (matt black on the R8 V8 Coupé and R8 V10 plus). As an option, LEDs illuminate the engine compartment; in the R8 V10 plus this illumination as well as a partial CFRP lining for the engine compartment are standard.

The LED lights dominate the rear of the Audi R8. One innovation from Audi is the indicator light with dynamic display at the bottom edge of the lamp – its light always proceeds towards the outside, in the direction the driver wishes to turn. Above the high-gloss black area between the vent openings sits the new badge – the letter "R" resting partly on a red diamond, the Audi Sport signature. The large diffusor, optionally CFRP (standard on the R8 V10 plus), has been pulled far upwards. In all engine versions the exhaust system terminates in two round, glossy tailpipe trim sections, painted black on the R8 V10 plus.

Audi offers the R8 in the two solid colors Ibis White and Brilliant Red, in four metallic shades and with five pearl effect / crystal effect coatings. For the R8 V10 plus a matt effect color is available as an exclusive feature. The side blades on the Coupé come in eight colors, while the soft top of the R8 Spyder comes in black, red or brown.

The R8 embodies Audi's full expertise in ultra-lightweight design. The aluminum body with the Audi Space Frame (ASF) weighs only 210 kilograms (462.97 lb) on the Coupé, and 216 kilograms (476.20 lb) on the Spyder. The unladen R8 V8 Coupé with manual transmission registers just 1,560 kilograms (3439.21 lb) on the scales, while the open-top sports car weighs 1,660 kilograms (3659.67 lb). The R8 V10 plus, available only as a coupé, brings the needle to 1,570 kilograms (3461.26 lb). Adjustable bucket seats with glass fiber reinforced plastic (GFRP) chassis, less use of insulating materials, special light alloy wheels and chassis components, including the standard ceramic brakes, as well the CFRP add-on parts at the body all contribute to lowering the weight.

On the Audi R8 Spyder the lid on the soft top compartment and the side parts are also CFRP. The elegant, lightweight fabric top, with its largely aluminum and magnesium linkage, is the crowning touch to the ultra-lightweight design. The top opens and closes electrohydraulically in 19 seconds, and during driving at up to 50 km/h (31.07 mph). The heated window pane in the bulkhead between the passenger and engine compartments stands apart from the soft top; the window can be retracted and extended by a switch and also serves as a wind deflector. In case of a pending rollover, two strong, spring-tensioned sections shoot upwards from the seats.

As in car racing, the aerodynamics of the Audi R8 has been optimized for propulsion. The underfloor contains five NACA nozzles, along with two diffusors in the front section, which increase the propulsion at the front axle. The drag coefficient is 0.35 or 0.36 depending on the engine version and body shape; the frontal area measures 1.99 m2 (21.42 ft2).

The engines are assembled by hand. The V8 with 4,163 cc displacement and the V10 with its 5,204 cc displacement are captivating, naturally aspirated heavy-duty engines packed with power. The interplay with the new 7-speed S tronic has reduced CO2 emissions by up to 22 grams/km (35.41 g/mile) and decreased the sprint from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) by three-tenths of a second. Both engines are compact and comparatively lightweight. The crankcase is an aluminum-silicon alloy; the bed plate structure provides high rigidity. The dry-sump lubrication allows low positioning of the engines; the pressure recirculation pump operates load-dependently, for increased efficiency.

The FSI direct fuel injection system allows a high compression of 12.5 : 1. Four adjustable camshafts control the valves. At low load and engine speed, flaps in the intake ducts bring about a precise, cylindrical rotation of the incoming air. The exhaust system is designed for low back pressure. The two tailpipes contain flaps; they open during sharp acceleration to produce a fuller sound.

The 4.2 FSI engine produces 316 kW (430 hp) at 7,900 rpm, with a torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) between 4,500 and 6,000 rpm. The unit accelerates the R8 Coupé with S tronic from rest to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.3 seconds and to a top speed of 300 km/h (186.41 mph) (with manual transmission: 4.6 seconds and 302 km/h (187.65 mph)). For the R8 V8 Spyder the corresponding values are 4.5 and 4.8 seconds, respectively, and also 300 km/h (186.41 mph). On average the R8 V8 quattro as a coupé with S tronic consumes 12.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (18.97 US mpg).

The V10 engine provides a torque of 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm, with 386 kW (525 hp) at 8,000 rpm. Its crankshaft is a common-pin design, yielding alternating ignition intervals of 54 and 90 degrees. This design combines maximum rigidity and low weight, while at the same time generating the unique car racing-like sound of the V10.

The Audi R8 V10 Coupé with S tronic accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 314 km/h (195.11 mph). With manual transmission the values are 3.9 seconds and 316 km/h (196.35 mph). The R8 V10 Spyder with S tronic completes the standard sprint in 3.8 seconds and has a top speed of 311 km/h (193.25 mph) (with manual transmission: 4.1 seconds and 313 km/h (194.49 mph)). The average consumption rate of the R8 V10 Coupé with S tronic lies at 13.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (17.96 US mpg).

The new top model of the model series is the Audi R8 V10 plus. Developing 404 kW (550 hp), its maximum torque is 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) at 6,500 rpm. With S tronic, the R8 V10 plus, available only as a coupé, catapults from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.5 seconds and achieves a top speed of 317 km/h (196.97 mph); the average fuel consumption rate is 12.9 liters per 100 km (18.23 US mpg). The key data with manual transmission are 3.8 seconds, 319 km/h (198.22 mph) and 14.9 liters (15.79 US mpg).

Two power transmission systems are available for the overhauled Audi R8. The manual 6-speed transmission, with its lever leading into an open stainless steel gate, is standard on the V8 and optional on the V10. The new 7-speed S tronic – optional on the V8 and standard on the V10 – spaces the gears closely in a sporty mode; the final drive position has a wide gear ratio. The dual clutch transmission can be shifted at the selector lever or at the steering wheel paddles; a sports mode is alternatively available. At the press of a button the launch control manages starting at an increased initial engine speed and with optimal tire slip.

The new 7-speed S tronic, with a three-shaft layout, is less than 60 centimeters (23.62 inches) in length. Two multi-plate clutches lying behind one another (a new feature), serve two mutually independent sub-transmissions; gears are shifted directly as the clutches alternately open and close. Gearshifting occurs practically without interruption of tractive power within hundredths of a second, and so dynamically, smoothly and comfortably as to be hardly noticeable.

From the 7-speed S tronic the propeller shaft runs through the crankcase of the engine to the front axle, where a viscous coupling distributes the torque. In normal operation the coupling directs about 15 per cent of the torque to the front axle; when the rear wheels start to spin, a maximum additional 15 per cent flows to the front. A mechanical locking differential operates at the rear axle. The rear-load distribution of the forces ideally harmonizes with the mid-engined concept of the Audi R8. The axle-load distribution is 43 : 57 (front : rear), with small differences between the individual variants.

The chassis of the high-performance sports car employs technologies from car racing. Double wishbones forged from aluminum guide all four wheels. On the R8 V10 plus the springs and shock absorbers have been specially tuned and the camber values at the front axle adapted accordingly. The Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping is standard on the R8 V10 and optional for the V8 variants; it offers a normal mode and a sports mode. The power steering delivers finely differentiated, super-sensitive feedback, with sporty, direct gear ratios.

The overhauled R8 rolls along on large wheels. The V8 engine versions have the standard wheel dimensions of 8.5 J x 18 at the front and 10.5 J x 18 at the rear, with tire sizes 235/40 and 285/35. On the V10 versions Audi mounts 19-inch wheels of widths 8.5 and 11 inches; the tires come in the sizes 235/35 and 295/30 respectively. The optional wheels have especially attractive designs – polished to a high gloss, with a titanium look or (on the R8 V10 plus) in black gloss.

The steel brake disks of the high-performance sports car are internally ventilated, perforated and joined to the aluminum disk bowls by pins. The new "Wave" design of the disks – the wavy exterior contour – lowers the weight overall by about two kilograms (4.41 lb) compared with round disks of the same dimensions. The aluminum brake calipers operate at the front wheels with eight pistons each, and at the rear wheels with four pistons each. In combination with the 19-inch wheels, Audi can provide optional carbon fiber ceramic brake disks (standard on the R8 V10 plus). The electronic stabilization control system ESC offers a sports mode and can also be fully deactivated.

The Audi R8 is a sports car with excellent practical skills. The front luggage compartment has a capacity of 100 liters (3.53 cubic ft); the Coupé accommodates an additional 90 liters (3.18 cubic ft) behind the seats. The long wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.69 cubic ft) affords generous space. The interior conveys a car racing atmosphere on the luxury level; its dominant feature is the monoposto – the long arc curve running around the cockpit in the area of the driver. The flattened rim of the optional, more contoured R8 leather-covered multifunction sports steering wheel bears the new R8 badge, which also appears at the gearshift or selector lever, at the door sill trims, in the instrument cluster and on the start screen of the on-board monitor.

The electrically adjustable sports seats are optional on the V8 engine versions and standard on the V10 variants. Depending on the model variant, the seat upholstery is an Alcantara/leather combination or Fine Nappa; on the R8 Spyder a special pigmentation reduces heating from direct sunlight. Audi also offers optional bucket seats with prominent side sections for better lateral support (standard on the R8 V10 plus).

Numerous control and trim elements shine with subdued chrome strips or with black paint; the needles in the instrument cluster and the shift paddles have been slightly modified. The center console and the handbrake lever are covered with leather, adorned by delicate seams; in the V10 models the molding around the standard navigation system plus is also leather-covered.

With the diamond-stitched, Fine Nappa full-leather equipment level, the seats and the door trim feature quilted upholstery; for the R8 Coupé a quilted Alcantara headlining is also available. More individualistic customers can choose between leather items in different colors, inlays in Carbon Sigma (standard on the R8 V10 plus) and piano finish black. A wide range of design, styling and leather packages from the Audi exclusive customization line is also available.

The R8 V10 and the R8 V10 plus come with the navigation system plus and the Bang & Olufsen Sound System as standard on-board features. Other options for all R8 variants include a high-beam assistant, a stowage package, various travel case sets, a cell phone preparation, with belt microphone and voice control, and the parking system plus with reversing camera.

The overhauled Audi R8 will roll off the line to European customers at the end of the year.

Will the real first laser headlights please stand up?

BMW claimed to have the world’s first production car laser headlights with the i8. Now Audi is claiming to have them with the R8 LMX. Which is really the first? Does it matter?

Well, both are first in a way: the BMW i8 offered laser high-beams before the R8 LMX did, but the i8’s are optional; the Audi R8 LMX comes with them standard—but also only as high beams.

Now that that’s (more or less) settled, on to the real news: the R8 LMX is more powerful, quicker, and sold as a limited edition. It’s due to arrive in Europe later this summer, but Audi hasn’t yet stated when, or even if, it will make it to the U.S.

The 5.2-liter V-10 engine in the R8 LMX upgraded slightly from the R8 V10 Plus’s 550-horsepower rating to achieve a total of 570 hp, as well as an 8 pound-foot up grade to reach 398 lb-ft of torque. The result is quicker acceleration, hitting 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds.

Audi’s familiar S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission handles shifts, quattro permanent all-wheel drive distributes power to all four wheels, and the car is shod in 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/35 front and 305/30 rear tires.

For the LMX, a few visual distinctions also come into play, with the Ara Blue crystal-effect paint, a fixed rear spoiler, a front spoiler lip, a rear wing and diffuser, all made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) in a matte finish. A sport exhaust system wears gloss black tips.

Inside, Nappa leather with a Sepang Blue diamond pattern adorns the bucket seats, with backrests covered in Ara Blue with Sepang Blue contrast stitching, which is also found throughout the cabin. A black Alcantara headliner, black Nappa leather door trim panels, and matte carbon trim elements finish off the R8 LMX’s unique look.

419 kW (570 hp), from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.4 seconds: The Audi R8 LMX (12.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers [18.2 US mpg]; 299 grams CO2 per kilometer [481.2 g/mile]) offers breathtaking performance and groundbreaking technology. The limited-edition car is the first production car in the world to come equipped with laser high beams. The R8 LMX can now be ordered and will debut on the streets this summer.
Audi is the leader in developing automotive lighting technology. In 2008, the Audi R8 became the first production car in the world to boast all-LED headlights; this was followed in 2012 by dynamic turn signals. Audi launched a new chapter in automotive lighting with the Matrix LED headlights, which debuted in the updated A8 in 2013. Now the brand with the four rings is igniting the next stage in the R8 LMX: the laser spot for the high beams. It increases the range substantially, which is ideal for a supercar like the R8 LMX.

The Audi engineers work very closely with their racing colleagues on the development of lighting technologies. The combination of LED and laser high beams, for example, will be used for the first time on the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14 and 15. The premium brand is thus continuing its tradition of using racing to test new technologies destined for production.

“Audi has long dominated the most important 24-hour race. In addition to the outstanding TDI drive technology, a maximum light yield gives our pilots a major advantage, and with night racing in particular is a key factor to our success,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg. “The transfer of the laser headlight to the Audi R8 LMX underscores our leading position in lighting technology. The safety benefit this provides to the customer truly represents Vorsprung durch Technik,” says AUDI AG’s Board Member for Development.

With the new laser high beams, one laser module per headlight generates a cone of light with twice the range of the all-LED headlight. Each module comprises four high-power laser diodes. With a diameter of just 300 micrometers, these generate a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter transforms this into roadworthy white light with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin – ideal conditions for the human eye that enable the driver to recognize contrast more easily and help prevent fatigue. The laser spot, which is active at speeds of 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and above, supplements the LED high beam in the R8 LMX and greatly enhances visibility and safety. An intelligent camera-based sensor system detects other road users and actively adjusts the light pattern to exclude them.

The Audi R8 (14,9 – 12,4 l/100 km [15.8 – 19.0 US mpg]; 349 – 289 g CO2 per km [561.7 – 465.1 g/mile]) is the dynamic, top-of-the-line Audi model. Its high-revving, mid-mounted engine, double wishbone suspension and ASF (Audi Space Frame) aluminum body are closely based on racing. The Audi R8 LMX is available as a coupe with a production run limited to 99 vehicles. With 419 kW (570 hp) and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque, its 5.2 liter, V10 engine accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 320 km/h (198.8 mph), and average consumption is 12.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (299 grams CO2 per kilometer) [18.2 US mpg/481.2 g/mile]. A compact, seven-speed S tronic transfers the power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. 19-inch wheels are combined with carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs, which up front measure 380 millimeters (15.0 in) in diameter. Red anodized brake calipers shine behind the exclusive designer wheels. The R8 LMX is shod with 235/35 R 19 tires up front and 305/30 R 19 tires at the rear.

The new top model also sends out a clear visual signal with its Audi exclusive customized paint finish in Ara Blue, crystal effect. A large, fixed rear spoiler increases the downforce on the rear axle. Like the front spoiler lip, the flics on the sides, the engine compartment cover, the exterior mirror housings, the sideblades, the rear wing and the diffuser, it is made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) with a matte finish. The Singleframe grille, the air inlet grilles up front and the outlet grille at the rear are finished in titanium gray. The sport exhaust system has high-gloss black tailpipes.

The dynamic lines carry over into the black interior, which also features blue accents. The folding bucket seats are covered in Fine Nappa leather with Sepang Blue diamond pattern. The backrest covers are finished in Ara Blue. Sepang Blue stitching provides subtle contrasts, including on the parking brake lever, the center tunnel console, the steering wheel and the instrument cowl. The black Alcantara headlining and black Fine Nappa leather door trim panels take up the Sepang Blue diamond pattern of the bucket seats.

Subtle details round out the interior. Matte carbon is used on the covers of the center tunnel console and the parking brake lever, on the inlays in the doors and the arc around the cockpit. Illuminated aluminum inlays bearing the limited-edition number are integrated into the CFRP door sill trims. Fine Nappa leather adorns the selector lever for the S tronic and the knee pads; the floor mats have black piping and Sepang Blue stitching.
The Audi R8 LMX will take to the streets this summer. The base price in Germany is €210,000.

419 kW (570 hp), from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.4 seconds: The Audi R8 LMX (12.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers [18.2 US mpg]; 299 grams CO2 per kilometer [481.2 g/mile]) offers breathtaking performance and groundbreaking technology. The limited-edition car is the first production car in the world to come equipped with laser high beams. The R8 LMX can now be ordered and will debut on the streets this summer.

Audi is the leader in developing automotive lighting technology. In 2008, the Audi R8 became the first production car in the world to boast all-LED headlights; this was followed in 2012 by dynamic turn signals. Audi launched a new chapter in automotive lighting with the Matrix LED headlights, which debuted in the updated A8 in 2013. Now the brand with the four rings is igniting the next stage in the R8 LMX: the laser spot for the high beams. It increases the range substantially, which is ideal for a supercar like the R8 LMX.

The Audi engineers work very closely with their racing colleagues on the development of lighting technologies. The combination of LED and laser high beams, for example, will be used for the first time on the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro at the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 14 and 15. The premium brand is thus continuing its tradition of using racing to test new technologies destined for production.

“Audi has long dominated the most important 24-hour race. In addition to the outstanding TDI drive technology, a maximum light yield gives our pilots a major advantage, and with night racing in particular is a key factor to our success,” says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg. “The transfer of the laser headlight to the Audi R8 LMX underscores our leading position in lighting technology. The safety benefit this provides to the customer truly represents Vorsprung durch Technik,” says AUDI AG’s Board Member for Development.

With the new laser high beams, one laser module per headlight generates a cone of light with twice the range of the all-LED headlight. Each module comprises four high-power laser diodes. With a diameter of just 300 micrometers, these generate a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter transforms this into roadworthy white light with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin – ideal conditions for the human eye that enable the driver to recognize contrast more easily and help prevent fatigue. The laser spot, which is active at speeds of 60 km/h (37.3 mph) and above, supplements the LED high beam in the R8 LMX and greatly enhances visibility and safety. An intelligent camera-based sensor system detects other road users and actively adjusts the light pattern to exclude them.

The Audi R8 (14,9 – 12,4 l/100 km [15.8 – 19.0 US mpg]; 349 – 289 g CO2 per km [561.7 – 465.1 g/mile]) is the dynamic, top-of-the-line Audi model. Its high-revving, mid-mounted engine, double wishbone suspension and ASF (Audi Space Frame) aluminum body are closely based on racing. The Audi R8 LMX is available as a coupe with a production run limited to 99 vehicles. With 419 kW (570 hp) and 540 Nm (398.3 lb-ft) of torque, its 5.2 liter, V10 engine accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 320 km/h (198.8 mph), and average consumption is 12.9 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (299 grams CO2 per kilometer) [18.2 US mpg/481.2 g/mile]. A compact, seven-speed S tronic transfers the power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. 19-inch wheels are combined with carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs, which up front measure 380 millimeters (15.0 in) in diameter. Red anodized brake calipers shine behind the exclusive designer wheels. The R8 LMX is shod with 235/35 R 19 tires up front and 305/30 R 19 tires at the rear.

The new top model also sends out a clear visual signal with its Audi exclusive customized paint finish in Ara Blue, crystal effect. A large, fixed rear spoiler increases the downforce on the rear axle. Like the front spoiler lip, the flics on the sides, the engine compartment cover, the exterior mirror housings, the sideblades, the rear wing and the diffuser, it is made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) with a matte finish. The Singleframe grille, the air inlet grilles up front and the outlet grille at the rear are finished in titanium gray. The sport exhaust system has high-gloss black tailpipes.

The dynamic lines carry over into the black interior, which also features blue accents. The folding bucket seats are covered in Fine Nappa leather with Sepang Blue diamond pattern. The backrest covers are finished in Ara Blue. Sepang Blue stitching provides subtle contrasts, including on the parking brake lever, the center tunnel console, the steering wheel and the instrument cowl. The black Alcantara headlining and black Fine Nappa leather door trim panels take up the Sepang Blue diamond pattern of the bucket seats.

Subtle details round out the interior. Matte carbon is used on the covers of the center tunnel console and the parking brake lever, on the inlays in the doors and the arc around the cockpit. Illuminated aluminum inlays bearing the limited-edition number are integrated into the CFRP door sill trims. Fine Nappa leather adorns the selector lever for the S tronic and the knee pads; the floor mats have black piping and Sepang Blue stitching.

The Audi R8 LMX will take to the streets this summer. The base price in Germany is €210,000.

Audi has just revealed the fastest and most powerful version of its R8 supercar yet, the R8 Competition. The car makes its official debut at the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show next month and will be racing into showrooms early next year.

The R8 Competition’s design draws on the knowledge gained from the R8 LMS line of race cars, with which it shares an engine. That engine is the familiar 5.2-liter V-10 of the R8 V10 model, but with output dialed up to 570 horsepower instead of the standard model’s 525 hp or Plus model’s 550 hp.

This enough for the car to accelerate to 60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, and it will keep going until it maxes out at 199 mph. Drive is to all four wheels, and the transmission is the R8’s S tronic seven-speed dual-clutch unit.

Just 60 examples are earmarked for the U.S. market and anyone interested can place an order following the L.A. Auto Show debut on November 18. To see what else will be at the show, head to our dedicated hub.

Note, a 570-hp R8 was revealed last year but this model, dubbed the R8 LMX, was never offered in the U.S. Both it and the new R8 Competition for the U.S. market are likely to be the last versions of the current R8 before the second-generation arrives sometime next year.

Is this the new Audi R8? Yes, this is probably the new Audi R8. According to Instagram user Dreboog, he was able to get ahold of the leaked photograph of the front (as well as unreleased photos of the sides and the rear). Of course, he is not naming his source.

In the lead up to its world debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, more and more details about the new Audi R8 supercar are beginning to emerge. Following the leaked shot of an undisguised version sitting in a garage and a tease of the car’s available laser headlights, Audi has now confirmed some of the specs for the upcoming car.

According to Heinz Hollerweger, the chief of Audi’s quattro performance division, which is responsible for Audi’s RS cars as well as the R8, the engineers have utilized more carbon fiber for the construction of the second-generation model. The lightweight stuff has been used for some of the body panels but also integrated into the vehicle structure to add stiffness and remove weight. The final curb weight is approximately 3,200 pounds or about 145 lbs less than the previous model.

Another important change involves the standard quattro all-wheel-drive system, which now offers a fully variable distribution of torque between the front and rear axles (up to 100 percent to either end) thanks to a new electro-hydraulically operated multi-plate clutch. There is also a new electronic power steering system instead of the previous hydraulic setup.

Audi quattro boss Heinz Hollerweger and the new R8Audi quattro boss Heinz Hollerweger and the new R8In the engine department, Audi will offer the new R8 initially with a range-topping V-10. A V-8 option will be added later, along with an all-electric e-tron variant and possibly a new plug-in hybrid variant. This is in contrast to the strategy utilized for the previous R8, which was launched with a V-8 and had its V-10 variant added later in the life cycle.
The V-10 engine destined for the new R8 is the same 5.2-liter unit found in Lamborghini’s Huracán, a car that shares its platform with the new R8 albeit has a smaller footprint and is a bit lighter. Peak output of the engine is capped at 601 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, which is the same rating for the Huracán LP 610-4. The only transmission for the new R8 is a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch unit.


Inside the car, designers have implemented Audi’s Virtual Cockpit concept where lesser-used functions are consolidated to touch screens, controller clicks, or voice commands, and some more frequent functions move to steering-wheel toggles to clear up the dash. Vital info is presented via a 12.3-inch display located in the main instrument cluster. The screen is highly configurable and can present information such as lateral acceleration, various driving modes and tire pressure.

Yep, that picture that leaked out yesterday was definitely the 2016 Audi R8. Today we have the rest of it, including more pictures and full slew of specs. Meet the lighter, faster, more efficient next generation of Audi's supercar.

Although it may not look that much different from the outgoing R8, it is a completely different car on a different platform with new sheetmetal, and is now based on the all-new Lamborghini Huracan. I too was underwhelmed by the photo that came out yesterday, but now it's slowly growing on me.

When you consider how revolutionary the R8 was for Audi in every department, including looks, it's hard for them to want to change much, plus Audi's new cars have hardly featured radical design updates in recent years.

The famous sideblade is now shorter, more conservative, and split up into two segments. The new rear end eschews the old car's horizontal vents for a honeycomb one, and it gets the new trapezoid grille up front, but otherwise it's unmistakably an R8.

Let's talk engines. The new R8 comes in two forms at launch: V10 (the blue one) and V10 Plus (the red one), both with 5.2-the liter 10-cylinder engine from the Huracan. They put out 540 and 610 horsepower, respectively. The V10 Plus does zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 205 mph.

It's also up to 110 pounds lighter than its predecessor, tipping the scales at a svelte 3,205 pounds in V10 Plus form. Weight savings come from a new Audi Space Frame comprised of aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. The rear wall, central tunnel, sideblades and B-pillar are all made of CFRP. The body shell alone is 15 percent lighter than before, and the car overall has 40 percent better torsional rigidity.

Inside, it looks like a really nice Lamborghini. That's not to say Lamborghinis aren't nice, but the Audi looks less like a fighter jet and more of what you'd expect from a premium luxury supercar. You'll notice that the R8 gets the new Virtual Cockpit, which eschews a central screen on the dash in favor of one in front of the driver. The display is entirely digital.

Another thing you'll notice is the lack of a gated manual gearbox. That's gone for now, and probably forever. Instead there's a shift-by-wire seven-speed S tronic paddle-shift gearbox mounted behind the engine. Audi promises lightning-fast shifts and more efficiency, but we'll miss those gates, too.

As per usual, the R8 has quattro all-wheel drive. Normally it's 100 percent rear-wheel drive but up to 100 percent of torque can also be sent to the front wheels. A mechanical locking differential on the rear axle promises no traction slip, and an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch replaces the old car's Visco clutch on the front axle.

Audi also announced that this R8 will form the basis of two new models, an e-tron electric version and a race-ready R8 LMS race car. Expect to see a lot more of this car on the road and the track in the next few years.

Sales of the 2016 R8 start in Europe this summer starting at 165,000 euros for the V10 and 187,400 euros for the V10 Plus. The U.S. pricing and release date have not been announced.

It's definitely evolution over revolution. I wish a few more risks had been taken with the design, but otherwise it sounds extremely impressive, and it should be a solid performer.