What is it?
It’s a mid-life facelift for the Audi R8 super-sports car. If you want the abridged version, it consists of new LED headlights, a new gearbox, some extra standard equipment and a small price hike. No changes to either engine or suspension, though; Neckarsulm isn’t fixing what it rightly considers ain’t broke.
There are a few exterior styling updates for the R8, of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-’em variety. All cars now get a new rear valance design with two large-bore exhaust pipes (previously, you could tell a V8 from a V10 by the smaller quad pipes of the former). There are also new LED taillights with indicators that ‘sweep’ from one side to the other, instead of blinking. Something done, you suspect, for sufficiently moneyed David Hasselhoff fans who model themselves on TV’s Michael Knight. To everyone else, it’ll look a bit naff.
Inside the car you’ll find a few more matt-finish aluminum trims around the cabin than were there before, and a slightly more generous kit list that now includes iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, sat-nav and heated nappa leather seats.
But otherwise it’s the same R8, complete with cocoon-like driver’s seat, a slightly high but otherwise excellent driving position, and a typically German if slightly conservative cabin ambience.
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Bit late in the day
Its a pity they didn't give it this gearbox when the R8 first came out. It might have stood more of a chance against the PDK's of this world.
I drove a manual R8 V8 a couple of years ago and expected to come away saying 'wow'. But I didn't.
Now the shock factor of the R8's looks have gone away, I doubt it will make much impact on its sales figures. The car, after all, still rates very low in the practicality stakes, and whether you can use the extra power on our crowded roads or not is still open to question.
Excellent
Excellent First Drive Review.
Really excited about the new R8's autobox. Can't wait to have a go in one of these.
Great one Matt...
They sound fantastic
But it's a shame about the badge.