The revised second edition of Audi's sports flagship R8 has finally landed in South Africa, including the new top-of-the-range 404kW R8 V10 plus, and a new seven-speed Stronic transmission on all five variants.
Styling updates are minimal, starting with new LED headlights - standard on all variants - and high-gloss black paint on the single-frame grille, with horizontal chrome inserts on V10 models.
Cute new LED indicators in the tail lights don't just flash, they 'swipe' in the direction which the driver wants to turn.
THE LIGHT STUFF
The new R8 V10 plus has a number of body trim parts made of carbon fibre, including the sideblades on the flanks, the side mirror housings, the enlarged front spoiler and the distinctive diffuser.
Carbon fibre trim is also used in the cabin, all of which helps knock 50kg off its weight - the V10 plus tips the scales at 1570kg, compared to the 1625kg of the standard V10 R8.
Trim elements in the cabin now contrast subdued chrome strips with black paint, and the needles in the instrument cluster and the shift paddles have been slightly modified. The centre console and the handbrake lever are covered with leather, while V10 models also get leather trim on the moulding around the standard navigation system plus.
MOTORVATION
The 4.2-litre FSI in the V8 Coupé and Spyder is rated at 316kW and 430Nm; together with the new seven-speed S tronic transmission, it accelerates the R8 Coupé from 0-100 in 4.3 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 300km/h, while the Spyder needs only 0.2sec more.
The 5.2-litre FSI V10 engine is quoted at 386kW and 530Nm; Audi says the V10 Coupé with the S tronic 'box will dispose of the standard sprint in 3.6 seconds and has a top speed of 314km/h, while the Spyder does the same in just 3.8 seconds.
But the big dog of the R8 range is the new R8 V10 plus (available only as a hardtop) with 404kW and 540Nm. With the S tronic transmission in launch control mode, it gets from zero to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds and hits 317km/h flat out.
All R8s run on 19” rims, with different spoke patterns for the various derivatives. The V10 plus gets carbon fibre-ceramic disc brakes; lower-spec models have internally vented and cross-drilled cast-iron platters.
Standard kit includes:
Bluetooth
Full LED headlights
LED taillights with 'swipe' LED indicators
Audi Music Interface
Parking sensors front and rear
Bang & Olufsen sound system (V10 only)
SA PRICES
V8 Coupé - R1 529 000
V8 Spyder - R1 685 500
V10 Coupé - R2 037 500
V10 Spyder - R2 194 000
V10 plus Coupé - R2 319 000
Prices include all taxes and a five-year or 100 000km maintenance plan.