VIRGINIA: More powerful, dynamic, faster and efficient - this is how Audi is touting its upcoming re-incarnation of its R8 supercar that develops 604bhp from its V10 engine.

The German carmaker says that everything in the R8 is practically new from the engine to the quattro all-wheel drive (AWD) system and dual-clutch gearbox that shifts gears in 120ms.

Two variants will be making the line-up - the entry-level R8 V10 and the range-topping R8 V10 Plus that are getting priced from US$162,900 (RM720,000) and US$189,900 (RM840,000) respectively.

Dimensionally, the R8 looks similar to its predecessor, only now it's 13mm shorter in both height and length, but 13mm wider.

Both variants will be utilising the same engine that's mid-mounted (between the cockpit and rear wheels) in the R8 LMS racecar - due to make its racing debut at the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona on Jan 30.

The new R8 uses a high-revving 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 FSI engine to churn out 535bhp from 7,800 to 8,700rpm and 540Nm of torque at 6,500rpm.

The engine is managed by a seven-speed S tronic gearbox that delivers all that twist to the quattro AWD system and with launch control, it will reach 100kph from standstill in 3.6 seconds and a top speed of over 320kph.

On the other hand, the 35kg-lighter R8 V10 Plus has 604bhp from 8,250 to 8,700rpm and 560Nm of torque at 6,500rpm - allowing it reach 100kph frm standstill in 3.2 seconds (with launch control) and possess a top speed of over 330kph.

It also gets decked out with a carbon fibre rear diffuser, front lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings, fixed rear wing spoiler and racing shell seats for the first time in the US, while stopping power comes from a set of carbon-ceramic brakes.

The US-bound R8 will receive the Audi drive select, which offers four modes of comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual, but the Plus model gets an additional “performance mode” with options of dry, wet and snow.

The engine sports a new fuel injection system that combines the benefits of indirect and direct injection and uses an intelligent engine management control unit to help optimise fuel injection and distribution based on engine load.

As for the new transmission, the R8 V10's gear ratio configuration is referred to as 6+overdrive, with the top track speed being reached in sixth gear, but the Plus model gets there in seventh instead.

Beneath the car, the underbody features drag reduction panels, which allow additional air to be channelled through the engine bay or to other critical drivetrain components and has a drag-coefficient rating of 0.34Cd with a retracted adaptive rear spoiler or 0.35 when it's extended, and 0.36 with the fixed rear wing.

Suspension duties are taken care of by front and rear double-wishbone light-weight forged aluminium control arms that are bolted directly onto the Audi Space Frame (ASF) body.

The quattro AWD system has most of its torque sent to the rear wheels but in certain driving conditions, the R8 has the ability to send up to 100% to the front axle thanks to the electronically controlled hydraulic multi-plate clutch on the front axle, torque vectoring, and quattro integration within the Audi drive select system.

The ASF lightweight chassis has 13% of carbon fibre materials that weigh 40kg less compared to the previous generation and the V10 weighing 65kg-less, but also allows for improved chassis performance with 40% more rigidity.

The new R8 models also features an exhaust system with integrated twin-trapezoidal exhaust outlets and variable exhaust flaps that changes the exhaust note. As for the V10 Plus model, it gets a sports exhaust system with black exhaust outlets.

Externally, the R8 will have a single frame grille with three dimensional honeycomb design and Anthracite Gray finish, which gets flanked by full-LED headlights and daytime-running lights and LED tail lights with dynamic turn signals.

Furthermore, it uses a two-piece side blade design (side air intakes), while rolling on 19-inch silver five-V-spoke cast aluminium wheels, whereas the Plus uses a five-double-spoke design for its forged aluminium wheels in matte titanium finish.

The rear sees an adaptive rear spoiler installed for the R8, but the Plus gets a carbon fibre fixed rear wing.

Inside, the familiar monoposto arc that pays homage to the shape of a racecar’s cockpit greets drivers before they realise the classic instrument panel is no more – replaced by the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual cockpit where Google Earth satellite maps can appear across the entire virtual cockpit.

Also included is the Audi connect infotainment system that features 4G LTE connectivity, destination entry via myAudi, travel information, Internet radio and Wi-Fi hotspot.

The cabin gets two 18-way powered seats upholstered in Fine Nappa leather, while the driver gets a three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel with paddle-shifters and two steering wheel-mounted satellite buttons for engine Start/Stop and Audi drive select.

A 13-speaker 550W Bang & Olufsen sound system takes care of audio entertainment and is standard in the V10, but optional in the V10 plus.

Lastly, inside the R8 V10 Plus, racing shell seats replace the Fine Nappa-wrapped power-adjustable ones and the steering wheel adds two more additional satellite buttons for the Performance mode selector and Sport exhaust system.

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