MOTORTREND: 2019 AUDI R8 FIRST LOOK: NIPPED AND TUCKED

We still need to see it in person, but at least in these photos, we like the R8’s new look. The grille’s been stretched wider, and along with the larger air intakes, it does a great job of emphasizing how wide and low the R8 is. Those design changes also give the car an angrier, more aggressive look. As far as we can tell, though, Audi left the rest of the R8’s design alone. As a result, it should still be the practical, daily-driveable supercar we’ve come to appreciate over the last decade or so.

Audi says it’s updated the suspension, too, giving the R8 better stability and more precise handling. Improvements were also reportedly made to the steering for better response and feedback. Dry, wet, and snow drive modes once again return as optional driver-selectable programs aimed at improving all-weather driveability, and Audi claims braking has been improved significantly. The R8 is said to need nearly five fewer feet to stop from 62 mph. And while 19-inch wheels come standard, lightweight 20-inch rims are available, as well. The front splitter is also available in carbon fiber, which reduces weight by 4.4 pounds.

Power still comes from a naturally aspirated V-10 engine offered in two different outputs. The base engine now makes 562 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, an increase of about 30 hp and 7 lb-ft. Upgrading to the V10 Performance model now gives you 612 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Those figures are up about 10 hp and 15 lb-ft. For the coupes, that extra power translates to 0-60 times of 3.4 and 3.1 seconds respectively. Choose the convertible version of either, and Audi says you’ll hit 60 mph only 0.1 seconds slower than in the hardtop.

The new R8 will go on sale in Europe early next year, but expect to wait at least a few months for it to arrive in the U.S. Pricing will likely be announced closer to the R8’s on-sale date.

by Words: Collin Woodard  Photos: Manufacturer