Audi R8 sport cars have made quite an impact on car fanatics for a few years now, tagged as “one of the best daily driveable sports cars” its time to improve slightly for the German manufacturer. Retaining its overall shape for the past few years, there are subtle differences that even the untrained eye will detect. Swooping curves to make knees weak, reworked rear and front makes it ever so more appealing on one’s eyes. But there are more than just cosmetic changes mostly for the better but one may annoy hardcore drivers.
Carbon fibre returns for another round and is a common sight amongst sport cars due to being ultra light and sturdy. Rear wing, side blades, front and rear splitter and encasing the mirrors is where it can be found and various other areas. Another weight loss element is the new spaceframe comprised of many lightweight materials and is 40% stiffer than before. Now weighing in at just 1,453 kilos, compared to the lightest previous version 1,625 kg, quite a reduction.
A newly tuned V10 engine has been mid-mounted, two variations are available and here’s what you need to know about them:
| Vehicle | Horsepower | Torque | Displacment | 0-100 time | Top Speed |
| Audi R8 Coupe Plus | 610 hp | 560 Nm | 5.2 litre/V10 | 3.2 seconds | 330 km/h |
| Audi R8 Coupe | 540 hp | 540 Nm | 5.2 litre/V10 | 3.5 seconds | 320 km/h |
Power is sent to all four wheels in both models via Audi’s ever so efficient Quattro system coupled with a seven-speed S tronic gearbox for “lightning” fast gear shifts. Unfortunately Audi has dropped V8 engines and manual transmission options.
What makes the new engines so much more powerful? No turbochargers or superchargers are used for that extra kick, instead Cylinder On Demand or COD for short is used. Making appearances in a few vehicles recently, it’s a rather interesting system. For those unsure what COD is, if you’re driving along in one of the four upper gears, either the left or right row of cylinders will be “turned off”. It lasts between 30 seconds to one minute and then swaps to the other side and it will keep happening until whoever is driving the Audi R8 slows down.
Inside, it’s in line with future Audi models. Fully digital dashboard, Bang & Oulfsen sound system, optional bucket seats, seats wrapped in Nappa leather or alcantara and Audi’s updated MMI navigation with MMI touch. Boot space has been increased to 112 litres, which is enough for 65 large bottles of water! (I wouldn’t recommend doing this)
Almost 50% of what’s in the road car is also part of the Audi R8 LMS racer, as both were worked on together. Within 10 weeks of its unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show, Audi R8 LMS’s entered endurance racing with a bang, winning at the Nurburgring. Audi race cars are set to appear at next year’s Dubai 24 Hour.
2017 Audi R8 models are available right now from Audi dealers. If you are interested it the vehicle and would like to view and purchase one, check out all new Audi R8 and used Audi R8 for sale in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
