Audi R8CAR mag: More powerful V8 & V10 coming in 2012

[Bodhii]

Audi R8: more powerful V8 and V10 coming in 2012??

Audi R8: more powerful V8 and V10 coming in 2012

By Ben Pulman

25 July 2011 11:33

The R8 supercar has been a big success story for Audi, but it’s not resting on its laurels. A facelift is coming and we hear in summer 2012, it’ll get a range of stronger engines.

The 5.2-litre V10 will be tuned to a punchier 533bhp – up from 518bhp – and our sources in Munich suggest a seven-speed dual clutch S-tronic gearbox will be launched for the first time. So far, only a delicious old-school Ferrari open-gate manual 'box has been available, or a clunky robotised R-tronic auto.
Audi plans changes to the 2012 R8 V8 too

The entry-level Audi R8 will be revised heavily in 2012 as well: CAR has learned that its 4.2-litre V8 will be upgraded to the same spec as the Audi RS5's: it'll therefore muster a more useful 444bhp, up from 424bhp.

Ingolstadt types confirm there will be GT and GT Spyder variants again.
Audi R8 vs Lamborghini Gallardo: the facelifts

Although the R8 will be mildly facelifted, we suspect it'll be a very subtle model year change to the physical design of the car. Noodling with headlamp designs, millimetric changes to the LED spacing, that sort of thing...

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-...oming-in-2012/

[timborama]

Pretty much EXACTLY what Motor Trend said a few months ago. So shouldn't be a surprise.

[randombloke]

It seems like what people could reasonably expect/guess given where we are in the r8's life-cycle and the ease of doing the power increases - still not convinced about the dual clutch gearbox though.

[deeznutz]

It seems like what people could reasonably expect/guess given where we are in the r8's life-cycle and the ease of doing the power increases - still not convinced about the dual clutch gearbox though.

Note that the 4.2 V8 already received a small power update in 2011 up to 430HP from 420HP FWIW.

[gazza1]

The more interesting part for me is the GT Variants.

Please Mr Audi..give me the Rear wheel Drive only GT 3 version you spoke to me about at the last Bathurst 12 hour for a 2012 release.

S Tronic would be the choice.

[AnOutsider]

Hmm... not sure it's anything amazing... Where's your GTR competitor Audi?

[NR8]

The more interesting part for me is the GT Variants.

Please Mr Audi..give me the Rear wheel Drive only GT 3 version you spoke to me about at the last Bathurst 12 hour for a 2012 release.

S Tronic would be the choice.

You'll get it as soon as all GTs are sold - rwd has been tested since last summer, decision been made. So start counting coins

[SebringSilver]

It's great that Audi is continuing to develop the R8, but I'm very happy with my 420 hp V8.

[timborama]

It's great that Audi is continuing to develop the R8, but I'm very happy with my 420 hp V8.

Sadly, even 430HP from a V8 is pretty weak these days.

[bz888]

So they managed to find 444BHP from the V8 engine? Meanwhile we pay big $$$ and struggle to find this horsepower on the after market scene... pfft. Over it.