Second-gen R8 revealed
Audi’s supercar gets improvements reflecting those of the Lamborghini Huracan
It certainly looks more angular...
Probably, but the second-generation R8 from Audi certainly has no intentions of becoming as wedge-shaped as its sister supercar, the Lamborghini Huracan.
The new R8, which bows at the Geneva motor show this week, uses the same body space frame principle as before but mixes more aluminium and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastics to reduce weight by about 50kg, to 1,454kg.
Has it got the Lambo’s V10?
Certainly. And if you specify the R8’s 5.2-litre V10 in Plus form, the 610hp and 560Nm outputs are identical with those of the Huracan. The same goes for the 0-100kph time of 3.2sec and economy figure of 8kpl.
There’s also a less potent version of the V10, producing equal power and torque ratings of 540 to improve fuel consumption to 8.4kpl but slacken the acceleration time to 3.5sec.
One key ancillary that both the Huracan and R8 share for their V10s is the mix of direct and indirect fuel injection technologies.
While the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic has been carried over, the all-wheel drive set-up has been improved, whereby 100% of driving power can be shifted to either the front or rear axle. The Plus version gets carbon-ceramic disc brakes as standard.
Isn’t there a V8?
Although the first-gen R8 came with a 4.2-litre V8, Audi hasn’t announced an eight-pot version for the new R8 yet, which could prove imperative if it wants to chase more sales in the 15 million baht bracket.
When the new R8 goes on sale at mid-year, the V10 will cost around 20 million baht in Thailand and the Plus 23 million baht. That’s slightly dearer than the all-new Mercedes-AMG GT, which has two power outputs of 460hp and 510hp priced below 20 million baht.
As well, a lower powered R8 could also secure some sales going to the Porsche 911 Carrera.
Will an all-electric R8 be continued?
Audi has freely announced that the second-gen R8 will also form the basis of the e-tron and LMS racer for the GT3 motorsport event.
The all-electric e-tron has vastly improved battery power and storage to help extend the touring range from 215km to 450km. The 462hp electric performance helps gives the e-tron a 0-100kph time of 3.9sec.
While the e-tron isn’t designed to take R8 sales to new heights, its electric propulsion technology will become an essential weapon in future Audis, as well as for competing in places where electric car specialist Tesla is present.
And let’s not forget that Mercedes has all-electric car technology which it first used in the SLS supercar, the indirect predecessor of the GT.