2019 Audi R8 revealed

Audi has taken the wraps of its updated R8 supercar, and there’s good news for fans of engine displacement.

The 2019 Audi R8 will stick with a proven 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 for the immediate future, Audi has confirmed, flying in the face of persistent rumours the R8 would downsize (on some models at least) to a twin-turbocharged V6 engine.

Rather, the atmo-10 has had performance boosted to 419kW in the regular R8, now known as the V10 quattro, and 456kW in the newly-designated V10 performance quattro, up from 397kW and 449kW respectively.

If anything else, Audi’s decision demonstrates a show of confidence in the V10 in the face of more stringent emissions, which will likely dictate the engine’s demise and the subsequent adoption of forced induction or electric power.

“It’s now even more powerful and faster,” Oliver Hoffmann, technical managing director of Audi Sport, said of the V10-powered R8.

“Motorsport is part of our DNA. With around 50 per cent shared parts with the R8 LMS GT3, no other automobile is so close to motor racing as the R8.”

Audi says the increases in power and torque are the result of an optimised valve train, which now uses titanium components. The German car-maker has also fit a particulate filter to the R8 to comply with new WLTP emissions testing process.

We have asked the question about whether the particulate filter will have any bearing on the Australian market, due to our high sulphur levels in petrol. Audi Australia spokesman Shaun Cleary says it’s too early to say.

As a result of the changes, the regular coupe reaches 100km/h from rest in 3.4 seconds, while the drop-top Spyder manages 3.5 seconds.

The higher performance V10 Plus makes use of an added 20Nm in torque (580Nm) to clip the 0-100km/h ticket in 3.1 seconds, or 3.2 seconds in the case of the Spyder.

Elsewhere, the R8 benefits from modifications to the suspension aimed at imbuing the Audi halo with more stability and precision.

The car’s steering has been retuned, and the car’s ‘drive select’ dynamic handling system sees greater differences in behaviour depending on which of the Comfort, Auto, Dynamic or Individual drive modes have been selected.

The R8’s quattro all-wheel drive system has been retuned for better parameters across dry, wet and snow programs as well. Audi says the improvements now allow the car to brake from 100km/h to rest 1.5 metres earlier, and 5.0 metres earlier from 200km/h.

Wrapping the car’s powerful brakes are 19-inch or 20-inch wheels depending on variant

The wheels are mated to an evolutionary design update for Audi’s venerable supercar. The R8’s ‘Singleframe’ radiator grille is wider, surrounded by thicker bars between the air inlets.

A wider front splitter underscores the new look, which can be customised in three exterior packages depending on engine variant.

Inside, the R8 plays on its enhanced driver focus, with new colours and materials, and optional carbon-fibre highlights.

Sales of the 2019 Audi R8 will commence in Europe from the first quarter of 2019. Australian designated cars aren’t due to arrive in local showrooms until late next year.