Gentlemanly road racer

Well received when first launched in 2007 as a V8 engine premium luxury sports car, it was only a matter of time that the R8 was fitted with the same V10 engine powering Audi subsidiary Lamborghini’s most prolific and now defunct Gallardo.

With its mid-engine configuration, superb four-wheel-drive and 5.2-litre V10 engine, the Audi R8 flourished into a full-blown supercar that is arguably better than its more exotic Italian cousin.

Face-lifted for the 2013 model year, Audi’s practical and luxurious supercar was augmented with a more hardcore R8 V10 Plus version, boasting a more focus fixed-rate sports suspension, an additional 25BHP output and 50kg less weight and standard high performance carbon ceramic brake discs.

Sophisticated supercar 

A more “grown-up” and understated but futuristic looking supercar with vast horizontally slatted grille and intakes, low bonnet, side intake gills, cabin-forward layout, road-hugging stance and smooth, flowing and sophisticated lines, the R8 has airs of both sophistication and urgency. Debuting with a revised 2013 model year range with slightly redesigned grille and all-LED headlights, the faster more focused R8 V10 Plus version, however, doesn’t wear “Plus” badges.

It is instead distinguished by its light and stiff carbon-fibre air splitter, mirrors, rear diffuser and vertical side blade intake covers, which contribute to its 50kg weight reduction. Also standard are matt paint options including sophisticated Sepang deep blue and standard option glossy black 19-inch alloy wheels, as tested.

With a race-derived lightweight aluminium monocoque using space-frame principles, the R8’ body rigidity effectively translate into enhanced handling precision, ride refinement and crash safety. Replacing regular R8 models’ more comfortable and complex adaptive magnetic dampers, the V10 Plus’ sophisticated double wishbone suspension features sportier standard fixed-rate spring and damper settings.

The revised R8 range also receives a dual clutch automated gearbox replacing previous R8’s and Gallardo’s jerky single-clutch robotised manual gearbox. Able to line up the next gear on a separate clutch for near seamless sequential shifts, the dual clutch gearbox — as tested — is both quicker and smoother shifting, but best of all, and contrary to some rivals, a traditional manual gearbox version is also still available.

Rev-hungry and responsive

Nestling just behind the cabin, the R8 V10 Plus’ 5.2-litre 10-pot engine is a charismatic naturally aspirated gem, with delectably crisp and precise throttle responsiveness. Developing 542BHP at 8000rpm and 398lb/ft at 6500rpm, the V10 Plus is eager and high revving, but nonetheless pulls hard from low revs and delivers versatile mid-range flexibility, as it races to its rev-limit with an electrifying linearity.

With seemingly indefatigable willingness to rev, the long-legged V10 Plus goes through a crackling, metallic-tinged, rasping and wailing concerto as it climbs to its redline. Surging through to 8000rpm, one is rewarded by manually firing off the next gear just before the rev limit, to repeat the same intensely sweet high rev onslaught over again. 

With tenacious four-wheel-drive traction channelling its ferocious power and relatively modest 1595kg weight, the V10 Plus digs hard into the tarmac and bolts off-the-line, racing through 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds, and is able to achieve a 317km/h top speed.

Equal to its prodigious power and swift speed are reassuringly grippy and fade free ventilated perforated carbon-ceramic disc brakes. Meanwhile, the V10 Plus’ snappy and smooth 6-speed dual clutch auto gearbox is best when using its sequential steering-mounted paddle-shift actuated manual mode in conjunction with its sportiest response setting. This enables one to dial in exact throttle inputs and without eliciting un-wanted kick-down gear changes if applying full throttle when exiting a corner by its apex.

Rear-drive instincts with all-paw confidence

Sophisticated, smooth and accessible with all-weather four-wheel-drive reassurance, the R8 V10 Plus is also a scintillatingly swift and sharp switchback scalpel that rewards driver input. Well-weighted, quick and precise, its steering turns eagerly into and weighs up naturally through corners, providing delicate feel and textured feedback.

With its big road-hugging footprint, vice-like cornering grip and slightly rear-biased but within-wheelbase weighing and agile handling, the V10 Plus is a committed and ever composed corner carving instrument with traditional mid-engine rear-drive instincts and feel, backed up by all-wheel grip, traction and confidence.

With crisp clarity and exact responsiveness, the naturally aspirated engine allows one to unleash power in nuanced precise increments to slice through corners with controlled composure.

More focused and agile with its firmer fixed rate suspension, the V10 Plus tyres bite hard on turn-in, and is buttoned down, predictable and engagingly exploitable through corners and tautly settles on rebound over compressions, dips and crests. Tightly composed, exacting and alert — but not nervous — through switchbacks, V10 Plus’ four-wheel-drive distributes power where it can best be put down, and allows one to confidently deploy its immense power.

Extended to near its grip and performance envelope, the R8’s rear lightens up momentarily as it diverts more power to the front wheels before all four wheels claw at the tarmac as one squeezes the accelerator by a corner’s apex to slingshot onto the straight.

Spacious and stable

Though firmer riding than the garden-variety Audi R8’s fluidly adaptive standard magnetic dampers at low speed, the V10 Plus’ aren’t uncomfortable around town with a smoothly firm highway ride and reassuringly planted stability. Communicative, engaging, confident and agile when driven hard, the V10 Plus is, however, a well-rounded supercar that is easy to drive at a leisurely pace.

With direct fuel injection, the V10 Plus’ charismatically spine-tingling and rev-hungry large naturally aspirated engine good-for-its-segment 12.9-litre/100km combined fuel efficiency, and this exotic and evocative combination of high rev thrills and linear delivery is expected to survive to the next generation R8, despite many competitors adopting more efficient and powerful turbocharged engines. Additionally, the R8’s huge 90-litre fuel tank provides a long driving range.

An understated, practical and “grown-up” supercar, the R8’s big doors, wide swing angle and un-obstructive sills allow easy access for the more “well-fed” occupant. With plenty of head- and legroom for tall drivers inside the two-seat cabin, the R8 also features an ideal driving position, good ergonomics, logical layouts, and good front and side visibility.

Luggage space includes a reasonably sized 100-litre boot and cabin parcel shelf, for which specifically designed optional luggage is available. With quality finish and materials include soft quilted leathers, suede-like headliner, real metals and carbon fibre panels the V10 Plus is available with a variety of highly tasteful colours to choose from, and a vivid all-red ensemble, as per the driven demo car.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Engine: 5.2-litre, mid-mounted, dry sump, V10 cylinders

Bore x stroke: 84.5 x 92.8mm

Compression ratio: 12.5:1

Valve-train: 40-valve, DOHC, direct injection

Gearbox: 7-speed automated dual clutch, four-wheel-drive

Top gear/final drive: 0.65:1/3.59:1

Power, BHP (PS) [kW]: 542 (550) [404] @ 8000rpm

Specific power: 104.2BHP/litre

Power-to-weight: 339.9BHP/tonne

Torque, lb/ft (Nm): 398 (540) @ 6500 rpm

Specific torque: 103.8Nm/litre

Torque-to-weight: 338.5Nm/tonne

0-100km/h: 3.5 seconds

Top speed: 317km/h

Fuel consumption, urban/extra-urban/combined: 19.9/8.6/12.9 litres/100km 

CO2 emissions, combined: 299g/km

Fuel capacity: 90 litres

Length: 4,440mm

Width: 1,929mm

Height: 1,252mm

Wheelbase: 2,650mm

Track, F/R: 1,638/1,595mm

Overhang, F/R: 1,007/783mm

Headroom: 975mm

Shoulder room: 1,392mm

Luggage volume: 100 litres

Unladen weight: 1595kg

Weight distribution, F/R: 44 per cent/56 per cent

Steering: Power-assisted rack & pinion

Suspension: Double wishbones

Brakes, F/R: Ventilated, perforated ceramic discs 380mm/356mm

Brake callipers, F/R: 6-/4-piston callipers

Tyres: 235/35R19/305/30R19 (optional)