Excelsis
12-22-2011, 11:27 AM
Audi R8 facelift planned for 2013 model; New generation to follow in 2014 - Top Speed (http://www.topspeed.com/cars/car-news/audi-r8-facelift-planned-for-2013-model-new-generation-to-follow-in-2014-ar121793.html)
We’ve already touched on the report that the next-generation Audi R8 has been scheduled for a 2014 release (in Europe) with rumors circulating that we’ll be seeing a facelift version of the supercar before that time comes. Now, we can put the rumors to rest, because according to CAR, a face lifted version of the R8 is now being penned for late next year as a 2013 model.
As can be expected with a facelift model, Audi is only opting for minor tweaks on both the exterior and interior of the car. It appears that the 2013 R8 will - for the first time - carry a refreshed grille that was first introduced last year by the e-Tron Spyder Concept. New headlights are also in the plans, as is a new S-tronic dual clutch gearbox, which replaces the R-tronic sequential manual gearbox on the current model.
Some other prominent changes expected to be made on the face lifted R8 are the use of Audi’s latest MMI interface system, an increased use of carbon fiber to cut down the car’s weight and, most importantly, an improved engine output from the current model’s 525-horsepower output all to the way to the neighborhood of 540 horsepower.
This is the first time that these details have been divulged, so we’re more than curious to see how the facelift model of the iconic R8 will look and feel like before Audi ushers in the next generation model in 2014.
Speaking of the 2014 Audi R8, Car has learned that the new model will carry an evolutionary styling theme with an absence of the current model’s sideblades and manual transmission. The body will switch from 100% aluminum to a multi-material combination, including a carbon fiber rear firewall. The new R8 will also have a transmission tunnel and the B-posts that will double as rollover protection elements. These changes will allow for a drop of about 24 kilos (about 53 lbs) on the car’s overall weight, allowing the R8 to be about 13% stiffer. Power will still come from a 450 HP naturally aspirated V8 engine for the base model, but the V10 will get a power boost to about 550 HP.
The new generation Audi R8 will be followed by the new R8 Spyder just one year after its launch, so expect the drop top sometime in 2015.
:concentrate:
We’ve already touched on the report that the next-generation Audi R8 has been scheduled for a 2014 release (in Europe) with rumors circulating that we’ll be seeing a facelift version of the supercar before that time comes. Now, we can put the rumors to rest, because according to CAR, a face lifted version of the R8 is now being penned for late next year as a 2013 model.
As can be expected with a facelift model, Audi is only opting for minor tweaks on both the exterior and interior of the car. It appears that the 2013 R8 will - for the first time - carry a refreshed grille that was first introduced last year by the e-Tron Spyder Concept. New headlights are also in the plans, as is a new S-tronic dual clutch gearbox, which replaces the R-tronic sequential manual gearbox on the current model.
Some other prominent changes expected to be made on the face lifted R8 are the use of Audi’s latest MMI interface system, an increased use of carbon fiber to cut down the car’s weight and, most importantly, an improved engine output from the current model’s 525-horsepower output all to the way to the neighborhood of 540 horsepower.
This is the first time that these details have been divulged, so we’re more than curious to see how the facelift model of the iconic R8 will look and feel like before Audi ushers in the next generation model in 2014.
Speaking of the 2014 Audi R8, Car has learned that the new model will carry an evolutionary styling theme with an absence of the current model’s sideblades and manual transmission. The body will switch from 100% aluminum to a multi-material combination, including a carbon fiber rear firewall. The new R8 will also have a transmission tunnel and the B-posts that will double as rollover protection elements. These changes will allow for a drop of about 24 kilos (about 53 lbs) on the car’s overall weight, allowing the R8 to be about 13% stiffer. Power will still come from a 450 HP naturally aspirated V8 engine for the base model, but the V10 will get a power boost to about 550 HP.
The new generation Audi R8 will be followed by the new R8 Spyder just one year after its launch, so expect the drop top sometime in 2015.
:concentrate: