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New Audi R8 2020 pricing and spec detailed: Australia's cheapest V10 arrives in July

The rear-drive R8 previously known as the limited-run RWS is now a full-time fixture in the 2020 Audi supercar line-up.

Audi’s R8 supercar will make a return in next month in facelifted form, ushering in rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variant as a full-time grade that is the cheapest V10 available in Australia.

The R8 was not available for sale in 2019.

Priced from $295,000 before on-road costs in coupe form and $316,500 for the drop-top Spyder, with both sending 397kW/540Nm from a 5.2-litre V10 to the rear axle via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

For those that want a bit more grunt, a Performance Quattro grade is also offered, which is equivalent to the outgoing Plus variant.

Pricing for the flagship R8 Performance Quattro is pegged at $395,000 and $416,500 for the coupe and convertible respectively – $100,000 more than its RWD counterpart.

For the price increase, the R8 Performance Quattro’s 5.2-litre V10 engine is tuned to 449kW/540Nm – 7kW down from its European counterpart due to the lack of a petrol particulate filter – which is sent to all four wheels via the same seven-speed automatic transmission.

As before, around 50 per cent of the R8’s components are shared with the GT3 racecar version that are both built from the same facility in Germany, with a new carbon-fibre reinforced plastic front stabiliser bar contributing to a 35 per cent reduction in weight on the front axle.

Tweaks to the suspension have also been made, while the range-topping Performance quattro also gains three new drive modes – dry, wet and snow.

Also differentiating the old and new R8 is reworked styling, including new front and rear fascias, and an updated interior.

Aud's 12.3-inch virtual cockpit digital instrumentation carries over as before, while new standard equipment includes a wireless smartphoen charger and 13-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Also standard in the 2020 Audi R8 are 20-inch wheels, LED head- and tail-lights, metallic paint, Nappa leather interior with contrast stitching and heated seats, with the Performance Quattro grade adding gloss carbon exterior and interior accents and ceramic brakes.

All new Audi R8s come with three years of free scheuled servicing and can be ordered online like the rest of the Audi model line-up.