New Photos of the 602HP Audi R8 V10 Plus

As the first customer vehicles are being prepared for delivery, Audi releases a fresh batch of R8 V10 Plus photos, showing the Audi R8 in all of its glory.

Whether you like it or not, Audi has chosen its usual path of developing the original design of the Audi R8 instead of coming up with something entirely new, but under its familiar shape, the German company has applied a lot of its tricks in order for the Audi R8 to remain among the best in its class.

Up to 50kg lighter than its predecessor, the new Audi R8 V10 Plus is one of the last naturally aspirated options a buyer has in the segment as Audi kept the sonorous 5.2-litre V10 unit for its pride and joy. Audi has updated the engine for better performance and fuel efficiency with the numbers reading 610PS (602hp) and 560Nm (413lb.ft) of torque, which are good enough for a 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of a 205mph (330km/h).

Audi says that the power increase came from an additional indirect injection system which also helps the Audi R8 score better fuel economy figures with a Cylinder-On-Demand system also on board. Audi claims the new Audi R8 uses up to 10 per cent less fuel, with the figures for the Plus model to be 12.4 lt/100km (19.0 US mpg) and 289gr/km of CO2 emissions.

The Audi Drive Select System gives the driver the choice between four different modes (comfort, auto, dynamic and individual) while the virtual cockpit we saw in the Lamborghini Huracan and the Audi TT offers different levels of information at the flick of a button.

The range-topping Audi R8 Plus model is priced from €187,400 in Germany and £134,500 in the United Kingdom, entering a special segment where the competition is expected to explode, with cars like the AMG GT S, the 911 Turbo and the upcoming baby McLarens, the 540C and 570S.