2013 Audi R8 Gets Minor Facelift, New V10 Plus Model

It is hard to argue with the performance abilities of the Audi R8 and the car's sexy styling will never be referred to as boring, but for the 2013 model year, Audi has managed to increase both the car's performance and styling. Having been around since 2006 (2008 in the United States), the Audi R8 is getting a mid-cycle refresh that will be available in Europe by the end of this year and likely next year for U.S. buyers. In addition to its updated looks, the R8 is also adding a new V10 Plus model, but there is still no word as to when we might be able to expect the all-electric R8 e-Tron.

Audi kept the overall look and feel the same with the 2013 Audi R8, but it made a few changes that give the car an even more iconic look. Up front, the car's signature headlights have been restyled, and all 2013 R8 models now come standard with LED high- and low-beam headlights; the front fascia has also been tweaked with the large vents under the headlights being reshaped slightly. At the rear of the car, the taillights have also been updated and now include eye-catching sequential LED rear signals positioned below the taillights, and all models now feature large, circular exhaust outlets. Previously, the V-10-powered R8 models could be easily distinguished from the eight-cylinder models by the different exhaust outlets, but both can still be told apart by the V-10's wider side vents. Of course, the 2013 Audi R8 will still be offered in the coupe body style with its distinctive side blades (that are now available in eight different colors) and the convertible Spyder that offers buyers a choice of three colors for the car's retractable soft top.

Replacing the limited-production R8 GT (of which just 333 Spyders and 333 Coupes were built), the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus now stands as the flagship model for Audi's high-performance sports car. Like the R8 GT, the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus gets a decent bump in power raising the R8's V-10 output from 525 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque up to 550 hp and 398 lb-ft., and it can be equipped with either the manual or all-new seven-speed S-tronic gearbox. Audi says the S-tronic transmission will allow the car to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph while the manual gearbox will be a few tenths slower. Initially, the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus will only be available in a coupe model, and it can be distinguished (although not as much as the R8 GT) with numerous standard carbon reinforced plastic body components and an exclusive matte finish available as an option. For optimal stopping, ceramic brakes are also standard on the V10 Plus.

2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus

Replacing the limited-production R8 GT (of which just 333 Spyders and 333 Coupes were built), the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus now stands as the flagship model for Audi's high-performance sports car. Like the R8 GT, the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus gets a decent bump in power raising the R8's V-10 output from 525 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque up to 550 hp and 398 lb-ft., and it can be equipped with either the manual or all-new seven-speed S-tronic gearbox. Audi says the S-tronic transmission will allow the car to accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in under 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 197 mph while the manual gearbox will be a few tenths slower. Initially, the 2013 Audi R8 V10 Plus will only be available in a coupe model, and it can be distinguished (although not as much as the R8 GT) with numerous standard carbon reinforced plastic body components and an exclusive matte finish available as an option. For optimal stopping, ceramic brakes are also standard on the V10 Plus.