Euromobil Sdn. Bhd. official importer of Audi in Malaysia has announced the arrival of the improved Audi R8. The V10 model incorporates faster S tronic twin-clutch sports transmission, new design details and all-LED lighting model with a price tag ranging from RM1,250,000.
The Audi R8 driving experience is about to be charged with even greater intensity by the brand new 7-speed, which replaces the R tronic automated manual option. The S tronic transmission creates virtually no interruption to tractive power. It can make its rapid fire shifts via the selector lever or the steering wheel paddles. It offers a sports mode that adjusts the shift pattern to extract the very best from the V10 engine and a launch control function that manages engine speed and permits exactly the right degree of tyre slip for the quickest possible take-off when accelerating.
With the benefit of S tronic, the hand built, naturally aspirated 10-cylinder FSI petrol engine is given even more opportunity to show its mettle. The integration of the new 7-speed S tronic transmission has not only reduced CO2 emissions by up to 22 grams/km, and improved the acceleration time from rest to 100 km/h by 0.3 second compared with R tronic-equipped equivalent. The V10 engine is compact, comparatively lightweight and feature motorsport-derived dry-sump lubrication which allows for low positioning and therefore a lower centre of gravity for optimum handling.
The 5.2-litre V10 FSI engine produces 525hp at 8,000 rpm, and peak torque of 530 Nm available at 6,500 rpm. The unit powers the R8 Coupé from rest to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 314 km/h whilst combined economy stands at 13.1 l/100km.
The chassis of the high-performance sports car employs technologies derived from motorsport. Double wishbones forged from aluminium guide all four wheels with Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping offering normal and sports mode. The power steering delivers super-sensitive feedback, with ultra-direct gear ratios.
The improved R8 features 19-inch 10- spoke Y design wheels with 235/35 tyres at the front and 295/30 tyres at the rear. The steel brake discs of the high-performance sports car are internally ventilated, perforated and joint to the aluminium disc bowls by pins. The new “Wave” design of the discs, with their wave-like exterior contour, lowers the weight overall by about two kilograms compared with round discs of the same dimensions. The aluminium brake callipers operate at the front wheels with eight pistons each, and at the rear wheels with four pistons each. Carbon fibre ceramic brake discs with remarkable stopping power, exceptional resistance to fade and a long service life comes as optional and the electronic stabilization control programme ESP offers a sports mode and can also be fully deactivated.
The 2013 Model Year R8 has evolved more subtly, but no less significantly, in terms of styling. Its single-frame grille features a new design with bevelled upper corners and horizontal chrome inserts adorning the struts on the V10 variant. The revised bumper features the air inlets bearing three crossbars each. The vent louvres next to the rear window are finished in matt black. The mighty engine that is visible through that rear window in the R8 V10 can be optionally trimmed in Carbon sigma engine compartment cover and illuminated by LEDs.
All-LED headlights are standard on the Audi R8, and are complemented by new strip-shaped daytime running lights that form a ‘clasp’ around the lens. The light-emitting diodes for the high and low beam headlights have been placed above and below the daytime running lights, which are specially actuated to serve as indicators. Static cornering lights are also integrated into the headlights. LED lights also dominate the rear of the Audi R8. The clusters include innovative new indicators which appear to perform a ‘sweeping’ movement from the inside outwards, making them unmistakeable. The sweep is achieved by a horizontal row of LEDs that are illuminated in successive blocks. The latest R8 is also distinguishable from its predecessor by way of its new badge with signature Audi Sport red diamond, and by its repositioned diffusor, with the exhaust system terminates in two round and glossy tailpipe trim sections.
The R8 embodies Audi’s wealth of expertise in ultra-lightweight design. The aluminium coupé body with the Audi Space Frame (ASF) weighs just 210 kg. Inside the 2013 Model Year R8, the new R8 badge appears on the gearshift or selector lever, in the door sill trims, in the instrument cluster and in the start screen of the on-board monitor. The instrument cluster itself has been redesigned, the gear shift paddles have been further improved and new chrome inserts have been added in several areas. The centre console, the surround for the radio/navigation system and the handbrake lever are also now covered with delicately stitched leather.
Standard equipment levels include the all-LED headlights and 19-inch alloy wheels, MMI navigation plus with DVD player, bluetooth mobile phone preparation and Fine Nappa Leather-upholstered sports seats. It also comes with the 10-channel amplifier 465 watts Bang & Olufsen Sound System. Euromobil carries the improved model in three solid colours Ibis White, Brilliant Red and Phantom Black with five pearl effect options. The new Audi R8 is available from RM1,250, 000 OTR and comes with a 4-year warranty or 120,000kms (whichever comes first).
