The Audi R8 is ageing still and now gets a series of mild updates for 2019, both in terms of design and performance. This mid-engine sports car has been around since 2006 and is still a coveted performance vehicle with its naturally-aspirated V10 that hasn’t fallen prey to turbos.
Audi’s flagship sports car has now been facelifted to stay competitive with all four wheels receiving power from a naturally-aspirated 5.2-litre V10 which is available in two different states of tune for both Coupe and Spyder variants. The most notable changes in the new R8 pertain to the exterior design where the car now looks edgier and sportier, more like its GT3 and GT4 motorsport cousins. Some of these design changes were previewed on the new R8 GT3 Evo race car.
The new R8 is more powerful too with the standard variant now putting down 562bhp and 550Nm of torque. The Coupe claims a 0-100kph time of 3.4 seconds with the Spyder just a tenth of a second slower. The V10 Plus will now be called the V10 Performance, identifiable by the fixed carbon fibre rear wing. The power is upped to 612bhp and 580Nm which brings the 0-100kph time down to 3.1 seconds for the Coupe and 3.2 seconds for the Spyder. The top speed remains the same at 330kph and 328kph for the convertible.
It features new slits in the hood that are reminiscent of the iconic Audi Sport quattro rally car from the 1980s. These slits also feature on the latest Audi A1 Sportback and can be expected to appear on other new Audi Sport models as well. The front splitter is wider on the new Audi R8 as is the singleframe grille. Even the inlets flanking the grille are larger with integrated air curtains, all sections separated by thick bars. At the back, the air vent grille is wider too above the diffuser that extends upwards to meet the rear bumper in between these two elements.
The air filter in the engine compartment under the new three-part cover is available with a choice of plastic or carbon-fibre. Audi is also adding new colour options to the R8 – Kemora Gray and Ascari Blue, the latter being my pick.
Audi says the modifications to the suspension have been made to further improve the stability and precision of the R8. The brand has also added three programs to the Audi drive select modes, depending on the engine – dry, wet and snow. The electronic stabilisation control (ESC) has been improved as well with the top-spec brakes allowing the new Audi R8 to come to a stop in a shorter distance – 100-0kph up to 1.5m sooner and 200-0kph up to 5m sooner.
The 2019 Audi R8 is subtle update with an all-new all-electric R8 expected in another two years time. Until then, this high-revving non-turbo V10 is a gift to cherish and enjoy. What do you think of the new Audi R8? Share your thoughts in the comments below the gallery. Leave a like if you enjoyed this post and don’t forget to subscribe to The Auto Loons for the all the updates on our latest content.
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