Launched in India: 2013 Audi R8 Supercar; Prices start at INR 1.35 Crores ex-showroom Delhi

In the supercar world, the Audi R8 range of supercars are known to be more affordable than say the Ferraris or the Lamborghinis, while delivering equally superlative performances. A major change on the 2013 versions of the R8 Supercar involves the replacement of the R-Tronic automatic gearbox with the S-Tronic dual clutch automatic gearbox. Equipped with paddle shifters, the S-Tronic gearbox is said to reduce shift times by 0.3 seconds. While that figure might be more academic in nature, it nevertheless marks an improvement in the supercar world given how closely these cars compete at one of the highest echelons of automotive engineering.

Apart from performance, the new S-Tronic transmission delivers a minor boost in fuel economy. The base variant of the 2013 Audi R8 is powered by a naturally aspirated-4.2 Liter V8 engine delivering 430 Bhp of peak power while the more powerful 5.2 Liter-V10 unit churns out 525 Bhp. Both these engines use dry sump lubrication. The power and torque is transmitted to all four wheels of the Audi R8 through the German car maker’s trademark Quattro all wheel drive system. Coming to performance, the R8 with the V8 engine will hurtle to 100 Kph from standstill in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 300 Kph. The V10 engined powered R8 is faster, with a 3.6 second nought to hundred kph sprint and a 314 Kph top speed.

Coming to the cosmetic bits, the car rides on 18 and 19 inch wheels, depending on the variant. Both wheels feature new designs.

The car’s front end gets new all-LED headlamps, while the all-LED treatment moves to the rear, to the tail lamps as well. The car also gets a redesigned front grille, a revamped diffuser and new end tips for the exhaust pipes. On the inside of the car, things remain pretty much unchanged. Given that Lamborghini plans to launch the Aventador Roadster in India in the next few days, the facelifted R8 Supercar couldn’t have arrived at a more opportune moment.