Audi has just announced a major refresh for their much-loved R8 supercar. The all-new 2013 R8 model lineup will come loaded with a host of subtle tweaks, both cosmetic and mechanical, to considerably sweeten-up the ownership experience.

And the big news here is that the dreadful old R-Tronic transmission has finally been ditched in favour of a new seven-speed S-Tronic unit. Available on all engine variants (optional on the V8 and standard with the V10), this gearbox packs two multi-plate clutches for infinitely smoother and more rapid shifting. In fact Audi claims that it will out accelerate the six-speed manual.

While all models in the revised 2013 R8 lineup are suitably brisk, speed freaks will probably be most interested in the new V10 Plus. Like the now defunct R8 GT, the V10 Plus has a body hewn from lots of gravity-cheating carbon fibre reinforced plastic. What parts exactly? Well if you want to get technical it’s been implemented on the front splitter, mirrors, side blades, rear diffuser and the engine compartment lining.

Being the proverbial range-topper, this coupé also ships with a specially tuned 5.2-litre V10 engine that’s good for 404kW and 540Nm. This equates to a claimed 0-100km/h-sprint time of 3.5-seconds. Keep your foot flat and the speedometer needle won’t stop swinging until it hits 317km/h.

Moving along swiftly to the cosmetic side of things and you’ll find that all 2013 R8 models now benefit from advanced LED lighting technology as standard. And while the nose sports a more aggressive bumper and grille, the rear has been sexed up with a radical new air diffuser as well as a pair of big bore, circular tailpipes. Fresher, faster and smoother shifting than ever before, the overhauled Audi R8 will be made available to European customers by the end of the year.