RE: Paris 2012: Audi R8 updates

RE: Paris 2012: Audi R8 updates

Thursday 27th September 2012

Paris 2012: Audi R8 updates

New transmission and a new 550hp flagship for Audi's R8



Remember when Audi's R8 was THE car? It's been shaded a bit over the last couple of years by a rush of high-profile, high-horsepower megacars, but it's still a fine machine that provides a brilliantly focused combination of performance and real-world usability.

A typically low-key 'facelift' from Audi
A typically low-key 'facelift' from Audi
Nevertheless, it's a fast-moving market, so it's good to hear that Audi is giving the R8 some more ammunition to help it keep pace.

There's new design detailing (honest - Ed.) and all-LED lighting across the board, equipment upgrades for most models and a new, more powerful version of the V10 Coupé - the 550hp, 398lb ft V10 Plus.

The most significant range improvement is a new S tronic twin-clutch transmission delivering 'ultra rapid' shifts. This new seven-speed 'box, which also has a launch control function, replaces the R tronic automated manual option. It knocks 0.3 seconds off the 0-62 time for all three R8s (V8, V10 Coupe and V10 Spyder). The six-speed manual remains available on all UK versions.

The new V10 Plus, probably not pictured in Paris
The new V10 Plus, probably not pictured in Paris
The new V10 Plus is 25hp up on the standard V10. It's good for 0-62 in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 197mph in S tronic form. Braking is by ceramic discs. The other R8s in the range get new (and lighter) wave-design ventilated steel discs. UK V8s have 19-inch five-arm double-spoke wheels with 235/35 tyres at the front and 295/30 tyres at the rear. 'Standard' V10 models will have 19-inch ten-spoke 'Y' design wheel, while the R8 V10 Plus gets an exclusive 19-inch five-arm double-spoke wheel. High gloss or titanium look options are on offer, with an exclusive black gloss finish for the V10 Plus.

External changes include a new single-frame grille and bumper, which in the new V10 Plus coupe incorporates a CFRP front splitter. CFRP also appears in the V10 plus's outside mirror housings, diffuser, lateral air inlet 'side blades', and engine trims - the latter being LED-illuminated as standard in the V10 Plus.

Nifty 'sweeping' LED indicators across the range
Nifty 'sweeping' LED indicators across the range
All-LED headlights become standard on all R8s, complemented by strip-shaped daytime running lights up front and LED lights at the rear with nifty 'sweep' movement indicators. The cabin gets a comprehensive refresh too, with higher standard equipment levels, new R8 badges, gearshift paddles and instrument cluster, and greater use of Nappa leather.

First deliveries of the new R8s are expected in early 2013, at prices ranging from £91,575 to £127,575.

 

Author
Discussion

prg123

Original Poster:

1,303 posts

162 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Great looking car hasn't changed much which is a good thing as it shouldn't effect the depreciation of my car too much.

Good to see they are going to get twin clutch gearboxes.....

I'll get a V10 S-Tronic in blue when they come down to sensible ish second hand prices.

- Pete

rtz62

3,340 posts

154 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
To me this is like Honda fiddled with the original NSX - why mess with something that is so 'right'.
Ok, other manufacturers will launch or update their cars, that's the nature of motoring evolution, but the R8 didn't really need an update. Did it?

goron59

397 posts

170 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
It needed an update, if nothing else, to keep things fresh.

But I like that they haven't messed around with it too much either, as I feel no great urge to replace my current manual R8 V8.

I just hope that the software on the S-Tronic isn't as anaemic as the one they put in the TT-RS. I actually liked R-Tronic - it reminded you that you are still driving the car. Great they're keeping the manual option for UK peeps!

Ex Boy Racer

1,151 posts

191 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Find this one a bit strange. If it needed to be updated, do the job properly. If it didn't, just leave it completely alone.
All a bit half-hearted to me.

stuckmojo

2,955 posts

187 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Small changes which make it look slightly worse. For me.

VonSenger

2,465 posts

188 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Ex Boy Racer said:
Find this one a bit strange. If it needed to be updated, do the job properly. If it didn't, just leave it completely alone.
All a bit half-hearted to me.
Profit maximisation. They are a business after all.

I like my r-tronic, and as someone above said, it does give you the manual feeling but not enough to become monotonous.

toasty

7,441 posts

219 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
This obviously makes all early R8s completely redundant and so prices should drop below £30k.

Please.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
rtz62 said:
To me this is like Honda fiddled with the original NSX - why mess with something that is so 'right'.
Ok, other manufacturers will launch or update their cars, that's the nature of motoring evolution, but the R8 didn't really need an update. Did it?
It needed doing to get people with the original to change it. These changes have made the car better, but probably not enough to spur a great deal of fresh conquests from other marques.

What it will do is encourage poseurs and the early adopters of the first cars to 'need' to get the latest version.

HorneyMX5

5,308 posts

149 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
6 years since launch and this car still looks fresh and up to date. I think that this bodes well for the R8 becoming one of THE classic supercars in coming decades.I think the only downside to the car is the image that Audi has these days, or rather the image the pwners of it's cars have projected on it.

MogulBoy

2,925 posts

222 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
This is the only current producion Audi that floats my boat and the facelift works for me.

The new LED lights have reached the zenith of what's possible interms of aesthetics in my opinion - I only wonder if they perform as well.


LaurasOtherHalf

21,429 posts

195 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Iirc the led lights were one of the few things that didn't make it through from the concept car.

Lovely cars

PHMatt

608 posts

147 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
WTF is a sweeping inidicator?

kambites

67,461 posts

220 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
PHMatt said:
WTF is a sweeping inidicator?
I'm guessing they light up like the front of knight-rider (although hopefully faster).

ReaperCushions

5,951 posts

183 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
toasty said:
This obviously makes all early R8s completely redundant and so prices should drop below £30k.

Please.
+1 I'm still waitng for the V8 bubble to burst and them come crashign down........ still waiting..

MitchyRS

288 posts

156 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
goron59 said:
It needed an update, if nothing else, to keep things fresh.

But I like that they haven't messed around with it too much either, as I feel no great urge to replace my current manual R8 V8.

I just hope that the software on the S-Tronic isn't as anaemic as the one they put in the TT-RS. I actually liked R-Tronic - it reminded you that you are still driving the car. Great they're keeping the manual option for UK peeps!
S-tronic in the TT-RS is a gem, you should hope that the R8 is identical to that.

The V10 R8 is going to be a complete animal with this twin clutch transmission, should be replicating if not bettering the performance of the Lambo LP560. Just what Audi needs.

WMP

154 posts

198 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all

Is this different to this story back in July?

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Apologies if there are further revelations but less than three months between facelifts/updates would smack of desperation from Audi to keep the R8 "fresh".

Still a great car though.

Waugh-terfall

18,488 posts

199 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
PHMatt said:
WTF is a sweeping inidicator?
They sweep across the unit, like an old Mustang.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=5RvZSfxe0nk&des...

WMP said:
Is this different to this story back in July?

http://www.pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyI...

Apologies if there are further revelations but less than three months between facelifts/updates would smack of desperation from Audi to keep the R8 "fresh".

Still a great car though.
Thought I already knew this...

BBS-LM

3,972 posts

223 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
Them R8 are still loverly cars, and they have aged well over the years.

garypotter

1,483 posts

149 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
On paper a great car but the Audi R8 has never flicked my switch, it is personal taste but there is something missing for me,

Updates or evolution version just add led day lights the same as all the other manufacturers even FORD are doing it.

ruddy hate the daylight led's


AV12

5,305 posts

207 months

Thursday 27th September 2012
quotequote all
R8 is a fantastic looking car. I think that theres a danger of making it fussy with these updates.