VIDEO: Audi TEASES Us With Its New R8 Sportscar

It's been a few years since the original Audi R8 made its debut into the sportscar world. Boasting a wedge shape, it didn't look like many other vehicles on the road with its unique styling and an element of design that changed the way premium vehicles were perceived -- LED headlight surrounds.

Audi's halo car proved it wasn't just the halo car for the four rings, it also turned out to be a halo car for anything luxury as brands across the board slowly introduced LED headlight technology into its models.

But now the R8 is starting to show its age. Now there's a plethora of models from the V8 coupe, V10 coupe, V8/V10 spyders and GT coupe/spyder, Audi has expanded its R portfolio quite a bit.

Audi recently debuted a new teaser video claiming that a new R8 is on the way though. We've heard rumors of a new transmission for 2013 and upgraded styling but that's about it. In addition, we're expecting the E-tron to come to production for 2013 as well.

That said, do YOU have any predictions on what will be changed on the updated R8?


5 years of Audi R8
5 years, 6 models, 1 milestone in the history of design and sportscar evolution: The Audi R8 celebrates its fifth birthday.

pcar4evr - 3/12/2012 9:55:38 AM

0 Boost

Current R8 is gorgeous, exclusive but has middle of the road "supercar" performance. Porsche Turbo and GTR will run rings around its 4 rings. I assume that there will be a modest power bump. Though the R8 manual transmission is great fun, it is not conducive to fast shifting and the single clutch R-tronic seems archaic compared to PDK. A little more power and a faster shifting transmission will bring it closer (but will not catch) the turbo or GTR. I also believe the front face and rear lights will have some changes and the interior will get the next gen. electronics from the newer Audis. Minimally, they have to ditch the R-tronic transmission.

Agent00R - 3/12/2012 11:14:49 AM

+1 Boost

From what we've heard, the car will receive minor design enhancements -- we're assuming front/rear taillights, more angular grille.

Power bump would make sense.

We've also heard about a rumored dual-clutch unit coming into play.

Good points you made above...

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 3/12/2012 12:45:48 PM

+1 Boost

Well !

Given that the R8 V8 was priced to compete with the Base Porsche Carrera i would say its performance was ok.

I've never understood the Nerdlike focus on 0-60 stats and top speed info, Most people looking for this info will never ever get to drive a vehicle at 150+mph, more sensible to look at reviews of how well the vehicle handles and the everyday driveability* of the vehicle.

All reviews i have read about the R8 state clearly that the on-road handling of the vehicle was superb and the overall everyday useability was almost as good as the Carrera {2-Seat vs 4-Seat}

All in all i think the R8 was a pretty good entry into that particular segment.

PQ40 - 3/12/2012 1:03:10 PM

+3 Boost

I guess women need a sports car too..soft lines, pretty lights, awd security for the big scary world. I'll take a motorcycle, and range rover for that money.

pcar4evr - 3/12/2012 5:08:16 PM

+1 Boost

First you have to earn the money, then you can trade in the tricycle for the motorcycle and range rover. AWD security for the big scary world - like the turbo and GTR? what a douche

PQ40 - 3/12/2012 6:22:09 PM

+2 Boost

Lol. I agree supercars like the GT-R and Turbo are great, they are also a cut above the R8. If I would choose a car in the R8s price range I would go for a Carrara 2s.

ATrain - 3/12/2012 9:16:23 PM

+2 Boost

Five years ago, a base Carrera was $73k and an R8 (V8) was $114k, a $41k spread. I don't see them priced comparatively with a 50%+ bump over the Porsche, even factoring the Porsche option book in the mix. At that price, the R8 (V8) competes against a GTS... well, price-wise anyway.