2013 Audi R8 revealed – V10 plus added to the range

The refreshed 2013 Audi R8 has been revealed ahead of its official premier at the Paris Motor Show in September, with a new flagship model, the R8 V10 plus, added to the range. The R8 V10 plus is available exclusively as a coupé. Audi’s first supercar has aged well and the nip tuck will keep it fresh for another few years before the new model debuts.

The most visible updates centre on the front facia as well as tail lights. There are new LED headlights with redesigned daytime running lights across the range, while the single-frame grille now has bevelled upper corners. On the V10 variants, it is painted high-gloss black, with horizontal chrome inserts adorning the struts. The air inlets on the front bumper now sports three crossbars each. The R8 V10 plus also comes with a front splitter made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). This is optionally available on lower grade models.

At the back, the new LED lights are the dominant feature. 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. Again, the diffuser on the R8 V10 plus is made of CFRP, and has been pulled far upwards. All variants now sports round twin split tailpipes, painted black on the R8 V10 plus.

CFRP are also found on the door mirror housing and the R8’s trademark side blades on the range topper. In the V10 models, the blades extend outwards farther than on the V8 and have special edging.

A new optional feature is the availability of LED illumination of the engine compartment. This, and a partial CFRP lining for the engine compartment, are standard on the R8 V10 plus.

While both the hand built 4.2-litre V8 with 424hp (316kW) and 430Nm (317 lb-ft), and the 5.2-litre V10 producing 518hp (386kW) and 530Nm (391 lb-ft) on the base models remained unchanged, Audi has replaced the old model’s 6-speed automated manual R-tronic with a new 7-speed S-tronic dual clutch transmission. A 6-speed manual is also available.

As a consequence, CO₂ emissions have been reduced by up to 22g/km, and three-tenths have been shaved off the 0-100km/h sprint. The R8 Coupé accelerates from rest to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds and achieves a top speed of 300km/h (manual: 4.6 seconds and 302km/h), while the R8 V10 Coupé completes the task in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 314km/h (manual: 3.9 seconds and 316km/h).

In the R8 V10 plus, the 5.2-litre engine develops 542hp (404kW) and 540Nm (398 lb-ft). When mated with the S-tronic, it catapults the coupé from 0 – 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and on to a top end of 317km/h (manual: 3.8 seconds and 319km/h).

Thanks to the bucket seats with glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP) chassis, reduced use of insulating materials, special light alloy wheels and chassis components, including the standard ceramic brakes, as well the CFRP add-on parts on the body, the V10 Plus tips the scales at 1,570 kg (3461 lbs) or just 10kg (22 pounds) more than the V8 Coupe with a manual gearbox.

Not that R8 owners will be fazed by fuel consumption figures, but for those who are interested, the V8 returns a combined 12.4l/100km and the V10 13.1l/100km when mated to the S-tronic gearbox in Coupé body. the V10 plus  returns 12.9l/100km in a similar configuration.

The new R8 rolls on larger wheels compared to its predecessor. 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 tyre sizes 235/40 and 285/35. On the V10 versions, Audi mounts 19-inch wheels of widths 8.5 and 11 inches; the tyres come in the sizes 235/35 and 295/30 respectively.

Stopping power comes courtesy of a new “Wave” design disk brakes that lowers the overall weight by about 2kg (4.41 lb) compared with round disks of the same dimensions. They are clamped by eight pistons calipers at the front, and four pistons at the rear. The R8 V10 plus comes standard with carbon ceramic brakes, which can be optioned up on base models.

Inside, 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. New on the 2013 R8 are modified instrument cluster needles and shift paddles.

The updated Audi R8 will arrive in US and Australian showrooms in the first quarter of 2013, and in late 2012 for its home market of Europe.