2013 Audi R8 Facelift arrives (+video)

Audi has given the R8 a facelift for 2013 with cosmetic tweaks, a new 7-speed S tronic dual clutch and the Audi R8 V10 Plus.

Audi’s answer to the Porsche 911 has been with us for six years and has grown to a complete range of supercars with four rings, including V8 and V10 versions as Spyder or Coupe and an R8 GT. But now its time for a complete refresh with the arrival of the 2013 Audi R8 Facelift.

The cosmetic changes to the R8 for 2013 aren’t huge, but they’re welcome. The front bumper and grill get a titivate with the new Audi six point single frame grill and LED lights with similar changes at the back including LED tail lights, a big diffuser and new circular exhaust tail pipes.

Inside, the tweaks are even more modest with just slight changes to the trim, instruments and flappy paddles; you’ll need to be very familiar with the current R8 to spot the difference.

But the big news is the arrival, finally, of the 7-speed S tronic dual clutch ‘box to replace the awful R-tronic and make an automatic R8 a joy to drive instead of a lurching irritation. So good is the new S tronic it makes the new R8 quicker to 62mph by 0.3 seconds on both the V8 and V10.

That means the R8 V8 with the S tronic ‘box gets to 62mph in 4.3 seconds and the V10 in 3.6 seconds on the way to top speeds of 186mph and 195mph respectively. The S tronic ‘box has also reduced CO2 emissions by 22g/km by improving economy as well as performance. Why did it take so long?

Other news for the 2013 R8 is the arrival of a new flagship model that effectively takes the place of the limited run R8 GT – the Audi R8 V10 Plus.

The R8 V10 Plus will be available as a V10 Coupe with a slightly raised output (542bhp) and scoots to 62mph in 3.5 seconds. It comes with liberal use of CFRP, less insulation, special alloys and ceramic brakes and tips the scales at just a light lunch more than the V8 Coupe.

We don’t have UK prices for the 2013 Audi R8 yet, but with the new R8 due to debut at the Paris Motor Show in September we should have soon.

By Cars UK