2016 Audi R8 is back and it's faster than ever

The Audi R8, the budget supercar, is now back in the market and as you guessed from the title, it's faster than ever. Based on the massively powerful Lamborghini Huracan, the R8 was changed drastically and is now more powerful, faster and more refined than the previous version. It comes with same 5.2 litre V10 which, after a little bit of German tweaking, now puts out about 540hp and 398lb ft of torque for the V10 model and 610hp and 413lb ft for the V10+. Their 0-60 times are 3.5 and 3.2 seconds respectively and their top speeds are 201 and 205mph. So we know that it's considerably faster than the previous one. Now, let's get to the rest of the differences.

The R8 has a new very intelligent 4WD system which has a fully variable front/rear torque distribution of 0-100% on each axle. It can also be programmed by the driver for a number of modes like dry, wet and snow. But there are some bad news. The iconic gated manual transmission is gone. The R8 now comes with a single option of a seven speed dual clutch transmission which is very good, but for some enthusiasts it may not be good enough, and that's sad.

Just like the Lamborghini Huracan, the R8 has a way to save fuel with the "sailing" function. When it's set in comfort mode and the driver lifts off at speeds over 34mph, it decouples the driveline and that (apparently) improves economy. I'm sorry but I need to make the same question I did in the Lamborghini Huracan article that I wrote a few days back: Who in their right mind buys a 120,000 pound, 5.2 litre V10, 610hp (or 540) monster and worries about fuel economy? You know as soon as you read the specification sheet that the economy is...let's say below average. I don't think the "sailing" function would improve that much.

The R8 comes with a much more sophisticated version of the TT's virtual cockpit. It includes a TFT monitor (replacing the centre screen), four buttons at the bottom of the steering wheel to select driving modes, a button to open and close the exhaust flaps (just like the Jaguar F-type) and, last but not least, the start and stop engine button.

The exterior was changed as well. Even though it didn't change much, it looks more futuristic, more refined, more aggressive and yet you still know from the moment you see it that it's an R8, Even if you just came across it for the first time. That's what I love about it. It's new and yet, it's a bit old.

The Germans have done it again.

#audi #r8 #2016