Audi has announced that its new second-generation R8 Coupe model will start from £119,500.
Although the Audi R8 is only in its second-generation, it has become one of the most popular supercars on the market – helped no doubt by its appearances in films like Iron Man.
Its £119,500 price tag refers to the more ‘tamed’ entry-level version of the R8, which houses a colossal 533bhp 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine. This engine can complete the zero to 62mph sprint in just 3.5 seconds.
The most powerful option, however, is the 602bhp version of the 5.2litre V10 petrol, appropriately labelled as the V10 plus. This is good for a zero to 62mph sprint time of 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 205mph. Those who know the first-gen R8 well will spot the omission of its 4.2-litre V8 powertrain, which offered an output of 424bhp.
In terms of price comparison to competitors, the Jaguar F-TYPE R starts from £86,800, the Mercedes AMG GT from £97,195 and the Porsche 911 Turbo from £120,598. The first-generation R8 currently carries a price tag of £93,735, meaning the new second-generation model is around £26,000 more expensive.
It is very likely that the R8 Coupe will be joined by a convertible Spyder version in the future. If the first-generation R8 is anything to go by, then this will start from about £8,500 more than the hardtop – at around £128,000.
The new second-generation Audi R8 will be available to order from May, with first deliveries expected in late 2015.