AUDIR8 2015 - 2018

　　Three years after introducing a facelift for the R8’s first generation, Audi surprised its customers with the launch of the second sequel of this nameplate, and in 2015, it came fully prepared to face the supercar arena.

　　After claiming the same number of victories on the notorious 24 Hours of Le Mans race as Ford and Ferrari combined, falling short just behind Porsche, Audi considered that it deserved a seat at the supercar manufacturers table. Furthermore, it demanded one closer to the one that sat on one end. After all, it had thirteen gold medals at the famous French endurance race. To celebrate this, it pushed its engineers to work on the second generation of the R8 and make it better than anyone could hope from the four-rings badged brand, which they did. But first, they had to retire the 4.2-liter V8 powerplant. As a result, the second generation of the R8 came as a V10-powered affair only.

　　The era of bio-design influence was gone when the German car manufacturer started to work on the R8’s second generation. As a result, the 2015 model came with sharp-looking lines for the headlights and distinct daytime running lights that emphasized the upper outer corners of them. In the middle of the bumper, the R8 featured an angular-shaped singleframe grille with distinct outer corners. It was flanked by rectangular scoops that featured vertical slats to cool the front rotors. To emphasize the new generation, the car sported two creases on the hood that visually connected the headlights to the windshield.

　　From its sides, the car’s profile revealed its mid-engined configuration. The short nose was followed by a low-slung greenhouse with a rounded roof and sloped down at the back. Unlike its predecessor, the second generation of the R8 sported shorter side panels with contrasting colors for the air intakes placed behind the doors. The sculptured doors had the handles concealed under the upper crease, so it wouldn’t spoil the car’s overall look. Finally, the back of the car sported the sharp-angled taillights, which were neatly integrated with the design of the exhaust vents placed below them. A fixed-wing adorned the rear deck, confirming the car’s sports-oriented profile if anyone doubts that. Finally, on the lower part of the bumper, the automaker installed a diffuser flanked by rectangular-shaped exhausts.

　　Inside, Audi installed a luxurious and comfortable cabin fitted with leather-covered sports seats. On the center console between them, the automaker placed the gear selector, the rotary controller for the MMI (infotainment system), and a tiny storage compartment with a lid on it under the armrest. Fronting the driver was a Virtual Cockpit that replaced the traditional analog dials. The tachometer took center stage and had the speed shown in digits inside it. Since it was a display, drivers could choose what to show on it, depending on their needs, whether if it was the navigation or the multimedia system.

　　Behind the cabin, the automaker installed the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated engine under a massive piece of glass. The revised powerplant was ready to meet the Euro 6 emission standards, which were mandatory in Europe but also provided more power than its predecessor. In the regular version, the V10 sent 540 PS (532 hp) in all corners via a seven-speed S-Tronic automatic (dual-clutch) gearbox. Audi also offered an upgraded version, named V10 Plus, that produced 610 PS (602 hp).

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