Audi reveals 2013 R8

Audi's R8 has been around for seven long years, and it now has got its first big refresh in the form of a design update, more powerful V10 engine and a new dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Oh, and there's a new top-of-the-line variant with carbonfibre, too.

Among the more noticeable changes on the outside are the all-LED headlamps that will be a standard fixture across the range. The front grille and bumper gets tweaked as well. Under the skin, the biggest change is the ditching of the R-Tronic gearbox for a 7-speed dual-clutch S-Tronic that is quicker than the six-speed manual to 100kmph by a whole three-tenths of a second in all models. The V10 engine has also been massaged to produce 550bhp and 540Nm for the V10 Plus, the top-spec variant. This variant will have carbonfibre for the front splitter, mirrors, side blades, rear diffuser and lining for the engine compartment. The carbonfibre splitter is an option for the rest of the range.

The R8 will start selling in Europe by the end of the year, and we expect it to come to Indian shores sometime next year.