New Audi R8 hits Oz running

Almost a decade after it went on sale here in 2007, Audi Australia has finally replaced its original R8 supercar.

Two variants of the new R8 Coupe are now available, priced at $354,900 plus on-road costs for the entry-level V10 ($10,000 less than before) and $389,900 plus ORCs for the more powerful 'plus' version -- $19,300 less than the model it replaces but more than a Porsche 911 Turbo.

Audi Australia managing director Andrew Doyle would not comment on the local launch timing of further derivatives, including the new R8 Spyder and cheaper versions of both the coupe and convertible, which will be powered by either the RS 3's turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine or the new 3.0-litre turbo V6 from the next RS 4 and RS 5.

However, none of the 24 examples of the R8 N24 special-edition will be sold here.

"There's nothing official," said Doyle of a cheaper new R8. "The model is a V10 only. There's nothing to talk about and nothing on the horizon that would be outside of the V10. The Spyder's been shown, but there's no Australian timing yet. It would be nice to get it as soon as possible."

Despite the higher entry price in the absence of the old R8 V8, which opened the previous range at $279,500, Audi Australia believes the MkII R8 will be more popular than the original, which found more than 400 customers during its life – only a handful more than the number of 911s sold in Australia last year.

"We see no reason why – because it's a big step up over the previous vehicle – we can't achieve that result or indeed better. So we're quite confident of its prospects," said Doyle.

Audi Australia won't confirm how many orders it has received for the new R8, pricing for which was announced on February 15, but says about 80 per cent of pre-orders have so far been for the top-shelf V10 plus.

However, motoring.com.au understands about 70 new R8s have now been ordered by local Audi dealers, and that 25 per cent of customers – mostly males aged between 35 and 50 -- who attended pre-launch activities put down an order.

That could see Audi Australia this year eclipse its best annual R8 sales tally of just over 100 cars.

"We have a good order bank already of both existing owners and new owners," said Doyle.

"[There are] A lot of people want to actually drive the car [before buying] as well – that's important. So far we have a very high mix of plus orders -- around 80 per cent from memory --  so as expected that seems to be the choice,"

Despite its familiar silhouette, Audi's new mid-engined super-coupe is all-new, including a redesigned platform that combines an aluminium space-frame accounting for 79 per cent of its chassis and a central carbon-fibre monocoque that comprises around 13 per cent.

Together, it weighs just 200kg – 10kg less than before – yet is claimed to be 40 per cent stronger than before. Weight distribution is 42/58 per cent front/rear.

The standard R8 5.2 FSI V10 quattro Coupe is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10 – Audi's last remaining naturally aspirated engine -- that delivers 397kW of power at 8250rpm and 540Nm of torque at 6500rpm.

Aided by direct and indirect fuel-injection and cylinder-shutdown technology for the first time, it averages fuel consumption of 11.4L/100km and can accelerate the 1670kg (unladen) base R8 to 100km/h in a claimed 3.5 seconds on its way to a 320km/h top speed.

Both versions come with more standard equipment, which at base level includes the configurable Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument display, 550-Watt/13-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio with Bluetooth and digital radio, nappa leather upholstery, Magnetic Ride adaptive suspension, bimodal Audi Sport exhaust and big steel brake discs gripped by eight-piston fixed callipers up front.

Options include gloss-carbon side blades ($5000) and front spoiler and rear diffuser ($3200), matt-carbon interior inlays ($1000), black Alcantara headlining ($3200) and a massive carbon-ceramic brake disc package with six/four-piston front/rear callipers ($20,300), all of which is standard in the top-shelf R8 V10 plus.

The latter delivers 449kW and 560Nm at the same revs, consumes 12.3L/100km and hits 100km/h in 3.2 seconds and a 330km/h top speed.

Standard plus features include the 15kg-lighter ceramic brakes, Sport suspension with firmer rebound damping and revised anti-roll bars (Magnetic Ride damping is a $4100 option), bigger 20-inch wheels, switchable exhaust system and a host of carbon-fibre additions like huge front and rear spoilers, side blades and interior highlights.

Brilliant fixed sport bucket seats with pneumatic lumbar support are a no-cost extra, but LED headlights with Audi laser light and dynamic turn indicators cost a tidy $7700 extra. The standard 20-inch alloys can also be downsized to 19-inch forged aluminium wheels in five/twin-spoke design in gloss anthracite black.

There's also a host of expensive options, including fine Nappa leather trim with diamond pattern stitching ($1150), dynamic steering ($3200), gloss-carbon wing mirrors ($3200), crystal effect paint ($3550) extended dashboard inlays in matt carbon ($4100), a gloss carbon engine compartment ($7750) and extended fine Nappa leather upholstery and trim package with coloured contrasting diamond pattern stitching ($9750).

All models come standard with Audi's upgraded quattro all-wheel drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch S tronic automatic transmission (there is no manual) and service intervals are 15,000km.

2016 Audi R8 pricing (plus ORCs):
R8 5.2 FSI V10 quattro Coupe -- $354,900
R8 5.2 FSI V10 quattro Coupe plus -- $389,900