2020 Audi R8 Coupe and Spyder detailed
Facelifted German supercar to arrive in July priced from under $300KAudi Australia has announced pricing and details for the upgraded Audi R8 supercar range revealed way back in October 2018, ahead of its long-awaited local release in July.
Priced slightly lower than before at $295,000 plus on-road costs for the rear-wheel drive coupe, which is now a full-time member of the Coupe and Spyder line-up, the 2020 Audi R8 range is powered exclusively by a naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10.
The glorious 10-cylinder engine now pumps out 449kW of power and 560Nm of torque in ‘performance quattro’ models, while rear-wheel drive R8 models are detuned to 397kW/540Nm. Both are paired to Audi’s seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission.
It’s the same engine that’s been used since 2009 in Audi’s LMS GT3 race cars, with which the road-going R8 shares 50 per cent of its DNA, says Audi, including its dry-sump lubrication, 12.7:1 compression ratio, dual-injection and lightweight internals.
The mid-mounted V10 also comes with a cylinder-on-demand system, which shuts down half of its cylinders under light throttle loads, enabling the V10 to run on just five cylinders to improve fuel efficiency.
As for performance, the quickest variant is the R8 Coupe performance quattro, which is able to sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds. The R8 Spyder performance quattro takes 0.1sec longer, while the rear-drive Coupe will do the same in 3.7sec and the RWD Spyder in 3.8sec.
Underneath, Audi’s mid-engined sports flagship remains fundamentally unchanged since the second generation was released in 2016, including its aluminium spaceframe chassis, double-wishbone suspension and nearly fully-sealed underbody.
Standard Australian features for the 2020 Audi R8 includes 20-inch alloy wheels – with specially-developed lightweight milled wheels reserved for V10 performance quattro models – along with heated sports seats, a full Nappa leather interior, LED headlights and tail-lights, reversing camera with park assist, cruise control and electric/heated/folding mirrors.
Inside the cabin, the R8 gets the German maker’s MMI Navigation plus system, comprising dual touch-screens, Audi’s virtual cockpit digital instrument cluster, a 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system and a new wireless smartphone phone charging pad.
R8 RWD models get stopping power from large 18-inch brake discs up front, offset by red eight-piston callipers, while sport suspension, tyre pressure monitoring and anti-theft wheel nuts also come standard.
Performance quattro models get larger (and lighter) ceramic brakes, including 19-inch discs clamped by six-piston grey, red or blue callipers up front. Along with its extra-large stoppers, top-spec quattro models come with an exclusive gloss carbon exterior styling package that includes inlays throughout the cabin as well as Alcantara headlining.
R8 Spyder variants are offered with an electro-hydraulic soft-top that can be opened or closed in 20 seconds, at speeds of up to 50km/h.
The 2020 Audi R8 range comes with a complimentary three-year Audi service plan package and the choice of nine exterior and interior colour options.
How much does the 2020 Audi R8 cost?
Coupe V10 RWD (397kW) – $295,000
Spyder V10 RWD (397kW) – $316,500
Coupe V10 performance quattro (449kW) – $395,000
Spyder V10 performance quattro (449kW) – $416,500
* Price exclude on-road costs
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