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December 5, 2014
Refined R8 Arrives in Japan | Audi
Audi R8 | The Audi R8
Refined R8 Arrives in Japan
The Audi flagship, the "R8," has undergone significant refinements, particularly to its drivetrain, and after its announcement at last year's Moscow International Motor Show, it is finally arriving in Japan with a先行発売 (advance release) now underway.
Text by OTSUKI Takuma (OPENERS)
Equipped with the 7-Speed "S tronic"
The new model, which received a minor change last September and was unveiled at the Moscow Motor ShowPrevious R8 Newshas now begun its advance reservation period in Japan. This minor change not only introduces updates to the interior and exterior but also marks a significant topic with the first-ever transmission change in the R8's history.
The engine options remain the same as before: a 4.2-liter V8 and a 5.2-liter V10. However, the transmission has been updated from the previous 6-speed single-clutch "R tronic" to a 7-speed dual-clutch "S tronic." Despite no change in engine power, performance has been enhanced, with a 0.3-second reduction in the 0-100 km/h acceleration time.
Exterior updates include newly shaped LED headlights and rear combination lamps, along with changes to the front bumper, radiator grille, mirrors, diffuser, and exhaust pipes. Inside, the shift paddles have been redesigned, and aluminum-look trim has been added to switches, enhancing the sense of quality.
Furthermore, the braking system now features wave brake discs with a wavy outer edge to improve heat dissipation. The system is tuned to deliver stable stopping power, which is not to be overlooked.
The body styles remain the same as before: coupe and spyder. The coupe is available with either the 4.2-liter V8 or the 5.2-liter V10 engine. The spyder is exclusively equipped with the 5.2-liter V10. Additionally, a 6-speed manual transmission is an option for both engines in the coupe. All models feature the "quattro" (full-time 4WD) system, and both left-hand and right-hand drive configurations are available.
Pricing starts at ¥17.49 million for the "R8 Coupe 4.2 FSI quattro" 6-speed manual model, and ¥18.19 million for the 7-speed S tronic model. The "R8 Coupe 5.2 FSI quattro" is priced at ¥20.69 million for the 6-speed manual and ¥23.19 million for the 7-speed S tronic. The "R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI quattro" is set at ¥23.59 million.

