2020 Audi R8 updates include an exclusive special edition run of 222 cars
Audi is bringing updated versions of the R8 and TT RS to the 2019 New York International Auto Show later this month, including the limited-edition R8 V10 Decennium, which celebrates the 10th birthday of the V-10 version of Audi’s mid-engine supercar.
The R8 gets revised styling and performance upgrades, with all R8 models now capable of reaching 200 mph or better. Perhaps to mollify European regulators who want to limit road cars to speeds of just 112 mph, Audi cites “top track” speeds in the press release.
Styling revisions include a new bumper with a honeycomb grille, front lip spoiler, and side air intakes. The rear of the R8 also gets a new bumper, a different diffuser, oval exhaust tips, and honeycomb air outlets. Base R8s get gloss black lower trim, while the R8 Performance has the option of titanium-colored trim or carbon fiber. Performance models also get black Audi ring logos and badging, and the Performance Spyder gets a black windshield frame. The standard wheels are a 19-inch, two-tone anthracite five-spoke forged aluminum design, with 20-inch, ten-spoke Y-design high-gloss anthracite rims as an option. The R8 Performance gets forged and milled 20-inch, five-double-spoke wheels with the choice of titanium or anthracite finish. Performance buyers also get to choose red or gray calipers paired with ceramic brake rotors.
The driver-centric interior features Audi’s Virtual Cockpit with selectable sport mode, the MMI navigation plus system, LED lighting, a 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system (optional on the R8 Performance for those who want to save weight by deleting it), and an Audi phone box with a wireless charger and signal booster.
Performance upgrades boost the base R8’s 5.2-liter V-10 engine to 562 horsepower from 532, giving a top “track” speed of 201 mph and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. The R8 V10 Performance has the same 602 hp as the R8 V10 Plus that it replaces, with a 3.2-second 0-60 mph time and 205 mph top end. The engines power the R8 models through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which Audi says can make shifts in as little as 120 milliseconds.
Both models will be offered in coupe and convertible bodies. Prices range from $169,900 for the R8 Coupe to $208,100 for the R8 V10 Performance Spyder.
As mentioned, to celebrate 10 years of the V-10-powered R8, Audi will be making 222 examples of the Audi R8 V10 Decennium, with 50 of them slotted for the United States, all of those painted in Mythos Black Metallic finish.
The $214,995 Decennium, only available as a coupe, will stand out from other R8s with interior and exterior Decennium logos, matte bronze intake manifold, and milled 20-inch aluminum wheels. The front spoiler, side sills, and diffuser are all finished in gloss black along with black Audi rings and badging. The side mirror housings, side blades, and rear wing are high gloss carbon fiber.
The interior of the Decennium edition is all black with glossy carbon fiber inlays and contrasting copper-colored stitching on the seats, steering wheel, console, and door panels. To further remind owners that they are driving a special edition, Decennium logos are on the console, door panels, and sills, and when the doors are opened, a Decennium logo is projected onto the ground, including the car’s sequential number of the 222-unit production run.
It has been rumored that the TT will be discontinued or replaced by a crossover, but for the time being, a refreshed Audi TT RS will debut in New York alongside these R8s, with new front and rear styling, enhanced tech features, and additional trim packages, including increased personalization options.
The restyled TT RS has a matte black grille with a matte titanium quattro script logo. The new grille sits in front of additional radiators for better engine cooling. Lateral air inlets extend to the front wheel wells and a full width front spoiler accentuates the aggressive stance. A new wing and large oval exhaust tips update the rear of the sports coupe.
Additional colors, Turbo Blue, Tango Red Metallic, and Kyalami Green are now available, bringing the total to seven. If those don’t suit your fancy, the Audi Exclusive program will let you customize your TT RS with paint to sample.
The 2019 TT RS has LED headlights, daytime running lights, and taillights. OLED taillights with a three-dimensional design are optional. The standard wheels are 19-inch, five-spoke matte titanium colored, mounted with summer performance tires, as are the optional 20-inch, seven-spoke Audi Sport matte titanium wheels that are part of the Dynamic package. That package also includes red brake calipers and a sport exhaust system with black tail pipes.
Interior appointments include heated Nappa leather RS Sport seats with honeycomb stitching and deep, adjustable side bolsters. The center console, armrests, and dashboard feature leather accents with contrasting stitching. Air vents are accented with red or blue trim, the same colors as the seat belts. Audi’s fully digital Virtual Cockpit has 3D graphics. As with the new R8 models, the 2019 TT RS features Audi’s phone box, with wireless charging and signal boosting. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are integrated into the infotainment system, which also has a 680-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system.
The TT RS is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder gasoline engine with 394 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque, capable of 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. A seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission with launch control puts the power to the wheels. The quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system has been calibrated to send almost all available torque to the rear wheels when needed.
The 2019 TT RS will go on sale later this spring, with an MSRP starting at $66,900. The new R8 models will go on sale sometime this summer.
