Drivers in the United States no longer need to be jealous of European customers that are able to experience the road illuminating qualities of laser headlights because the high-tech lamps are now standard on the Audi R8 V10 Plus for the 2018 model year. They’re also an option for the standard R8. The updated models go on sale this summer.
According to Audi, the blue light that emanates from the headlight housing makes it easy to identify whether an R8 has laser lights. The models continue to have LEDs for their low and high beams. However, the lasers activate at speeds above 40 miles per hour (64 kilometers per hour) for even more illumination of the road ahead.
In addition to the laser lights, Audi has other tweaks ready for the 2018 R8 lineup. For example, all models now come standard with the firm’s smartphone interface. As a signifier of the brand’s renamed performance division, an Audi Sport badge replaces the Quattro emblem on the R8, and the puddle lights display “Audi Sport,” too.
Minor aesthetic tweaks also mark the 2018 edition of the supercar. High-gloss Anthracite inlays replace the previous matte Anthracite finish on the V10, and it rides on 19-inch split-spoke forged wheels in silver. The V10 Plus also now has Carbon Sigma high-gloss inlays, instead of the former matte effect. Customers who prefer a darker appearance can order the new Black Optic package that includes 20-inch Y-spoke forged wheels in Anthracite, gloss black exhaust outlets, black exterior trim, and matching side blades only for the standard V10 trim.
Prices for the R8 grow along with the increase in standard equipment. The base 2018 V10 Coupe retails for $166,150 (after $1,250 destination) versus $164,150 for the 2017 model year. The 2018 V10 Spyder costs $178,350 as opposed to $176,350 last year. The top-spec 2018 V10 Plus Coupe has a price of $195,650 – up from $191,150 in 2017.
Audi introduced its laser headlights in the U.S. last year, but they were available in extremely limited quantities. The company built just 25 units of the R8 V10 Plus Exclusive Edition special model with the tech. They also came bursting with upgrades from Audi Exclusive like two-tone leather upholstery, an Alcantara headliner, and an exterior in Quantum Gray with orange stripes on the side blades. The company priced them at $230,450 – almost $40,000 more than the standard 2017 R8 V10 Plus.
Source: Audi
Gallery: 2018 Audi R8 V10
Audi of America announces 2018 R8 V10 plus will feature standard laser lights
The 2018 R8 V10 plus now comes standard-equipped with LED headlights with Audi laser light
Audi laser light is the latest production technology in a long line of lighting innovations from Audi
On sale this summer, the 2018 R8 V10 and V10 plus models now include standard Audi smartphone interface and offer an available Black optic package
HERNDON, Virginia, April 5, 2017 – The fastest and most powerful Audi production model ever – the R8 V10 plus – is now also the first Audi model line to offer laser light technology.
Originally debuting on 25 R8 exclusive edition models, laser light technology is the latest in a long line of lighting innovations from the four rings. The R8 has pioneered many of these innovations, as the first Audi model to offer all-LED headlights in 2008 and now as the first model line to offer laser high beams. In addition, the R8 was also the first Audi vehicle to couple the laser light with dynamic front turn signals.
An identifying characteristic of the laser headlights is their blue light signature in the headlight housing. The laser beam pattern, which is active at speeds of 40 mph and above (when conditions permit), supplements the LED high beam and greatly enhances visibility for the driver by projecting a low and wide beam of light on the road ahead.
Model Year Changes for the 2018 R8 V10 coupe, spyder and V10 plus
The R8, which shares approximately 50 percent of the same parts, including the V10 engine with the R8 LMS racecar, now also features exciting new design options in addition to more standard features. New for 2018, all R8 models will come standard equipped with Audi smartphone interface for compatible devices. A newly available Black optic package includes 20-inch, 10-spoke Y design forged wheels in a high gloss Anthracite with summer tires, gloss black exhaust tips, Mythos black side blades (V10 models only) and a Black optic exterior trim. Full LED headlights with Audi laser light are available on V10 models and are standard equipment on the V10 plus.
Additional 2018 model year changes for V10 and V10 plus models:
Standard Anthracite high-gloss inlays on V10 models (formerly Anthracite matte)
Standard Carbon sigma high-gloss inlays on the V10 plus (formerly matte)
Standard 19-inch 5-double-spoke design forged wheels with silver finish (V10 models)
Audi sport badge on front grille replaces quattro badge on all R8 models
Audi Sport puddle light logo (with driver or passenger door opened)
Each generation of the R8 brings to the road know-how acquired on the racetrack and from the legacy of Audi endurance racing. The 2018 R8 V10 coupe and spyder and the R8 V10 plus will be available in dealerships summer 2017.
Pricing Detail:
Model year 2018 R8 model line starting manufacturer suggested retail prices:
MODEL
2018 R8 V10 Coupe
$164,900
2018 R8 V10 Spyder
$177,100
2018 R8 V10 plus Coupe
$194,400
Prices above exclude destination charge ($1250), taxes, title, options, and dealer charges. Dealer sets actual price.
For more information, please visit www.audiusa.com.
ABOUT AUDI
Audi of America, Inc. and its U.S. dealers offer a full line of German-engineered luxury vehicles. The Audi Group is among the most successful luxury automotive brands globally. In 2016, AUDI AG delivered about 1.871 million Audi automobiles and broke all-time company sales records for the seventh straight year in the U.S. Visit audiusa.com or media.audiusa.com for more information regarding Audi vehicles and business topics.