Drum-Roll Please: The All-New Audi R8 Has Arrived

Lighter, faster, and with up to 610 hp. Need we say more?

The waiting is finally over; presenting the 2016 Audi R8, the second generation of the German automaker’s daily mid-engined supercar. Set to make its live debut at Geneva next week, Audi has just released full specs and the first official photos. Here are all of its dirty secrets: The overall design can’t be mistaken for anything other than an R8, but Audi describes it as flat, wide and muscular. LED headlights are standard and there’s an optional laser spot for the high beam, complemented by the dynamic turn signals at the front.

Dynamic turn signals are also standard at the rear. Claiming its new from the ground-up, Audi essentially plucked out the best elements from the previous R8, improved them to the max, and applied plenty of new technologies. At launch, buyers will have their choice of two versions of the familiar naturally aspirated 5.2-liter FSI V10. The R8 V10 plus develops 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. This is the fastest series-production Audi of all time; 0-62 mph happens in 3.2 seconds, 0-124 mph in 9.9 seconds, and top speed is 205.1 mph. Hot damn. The so-called standard R8 V10 has 540 hp and 398 lb-ft, making the sprint to 62 mph in 3.5 seconds and topping out at 200.7 mph.

Launch control manages full-throttle acceleration from a standing point. Both engines are exclusively paired to a rapid-shifting seven-speed S tronic transmission, which sends power to the quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. In normal operation, up to 100 percent of the power is transmitted to the rear wheels and, if necessary, the clutch continuously diverts up to 100 percent of the torque to the front wheels. The R8 V10 rides on a set of 19-inch wheels while the V10 plus sports 20-inchers (they’re optional on the V10). There are also four driving modes (comfort, auto, dynamic, and individual) drivers can choose from.

Thanks to its new lightweight spaceframe comprised of aluminum and carbon reinforced plastics, the R8 V10 plus has a dry weight of 3,205 pounds. The body shell alone weighs just 441 pounds. Overall dimensions, compared to the last R8, are roughly the same. The new interior has an overall race car feel, featuring sport bucket seats with integrated head rests and a 12.3-inch display, housing all information the driver requires. Total fuel consumption, on the US cycle, is 19 – 19.9 mpg, depending on choice of wheels and tires. Buyers have many customization options for the exterior and interior, such as a mix of colors for the body and signature side blades, the latter of which is made from glossy carbon.

Sales will begin this summer, with prices starting at 165,000 Euros for the R8 V10 and 187,400 Euros for the top-end R8 V10 Plus. On a side note, details for the new R8 e-tron and R8 LMS race car have also been announced, but official photos weren’t. We’ll have complete details of both shortly and plenty of live photos next week from Geneva.