On the surface, Audi’s updated flagship, the R8, may just appear slightly different, but look under it’s skin and you’ll find there are more alterations than you might think.
Here are the five things you need to know about the 2019 R8…
Design
As mentioned previously, the car’s exterior design has been tweaked to offer a more sharp and striking look. The front grille now is wider and flatter with a bonnet inlet at the top, while the rear now features oval exhaust pipes. Many subtle styling changes have been made in order to complete this more honed appearance.
What’s more, customers have the choice of up to three exterior packages, (depending on the engine chosen) which adds additional styling features to the cars front splitter, side trims, and diffuser.
Engine
The R8’s glorious 5.2-litre, naturally-aspirated V10 has always been a big selling point for the car. For 2019, it’s getting a power boost thanks to minor upgrades including an ECU tweak. The standard V10 now develops 562bhp – 29bhp more than the unit fitted to the outgoing model. This combined with the all-wheel drive system allows acceleration from 0-60mph to happen in just 3.4 seconds in the Coupe, and just 0.1 seconds slower in the Spider.
Handling
Suspension modifications have been made for improved stability and accuracy when cornering. Furthermore, assistance with both the optional dynamic steering and electromechanical power steering has been retuned. All this makes the new R8 more of a track and B-road weapon than ever before – adding more driver engagement.
New longer-lasting Michelin tyres on the R8 are said to further grip and reduce stopping distance by 5m from 120mph, aided by a reworked ABS system.
Drive modes
The R8 has always been marketed as an everyday supercar that works well in all weather conditions. Of course, you first think of the Quattro all-wheel drive system and tyres making the difference, but there is one more thing – the drive modes. With the new model, Audi have altered the way Comfort, Auto and Dynamic modes affect the car’s setup. What you should see, if the German brand has been successful, is a more noticeable difference in the R8’s character when switching between each mode. On the R8 V10 Performance - a car we’re going to talk about next - you also get dry, wet and snow settings.
V10 Performance
If you want the best of the best, this is the model to go for. The V10 Performance, known before as the V10 Plus, is the range-topping upgrade, which adds more power over the standard car. Where you used to get 602bhp with the Plus, you now get 612bhp with the Performance. Topping out at 205mph and capable of 0-60mph in three seconds, this is the ultimate R8.
Interested in a new Audi R8? Find local available prices here
Subscribe to our newsletter and keep an eye out for Audi R8 news and prices.
