Test the Audi R8 II V10 Plus ... a supercar as an everyday car

Without denaturing aesthetically and pushing its famous V10 to 610 ch, the new Audi R8 wants to do as well as the old one. It’s like offering some versatility able to roll in town as to tear the bitumen. Successful bet, right?

With more than 27,000 copies worldwide, the Audi R8 is a real commercial success. A success built to the detriment of sarcasm of sceptical peoples who saw there a general supercar without flavour. It must be said that despite its legitimacy in motorsport, 13 wins over the last 16 editions of the 24 Hours of Mans, the Audi builder had largely delayed marketing the competitor of Porsche 911 Turbo.
8 years later and due to its reputation, the R8 returns in a second generation. And if the Ingolstadt brand is rather shy about changes with its very classic models, they haven’t hesitated to thoroughly review their coupé to make it even more sensational.

“Like the TT, the new R8 gave up few of its curves in favour of a sharper form”.

Weight down, power up:

Recognizable among thousands, the R8 evolves towards even more aggressiveness. The face fascinates us with its new Single Frame grille and its tapered lights, the famous sideblades in carbon are now sliced in two and the angular back receives an imposing flap always in carbon for even more charm.
Let's talk about carbon because it allowed the German lightning to lose up to 15 % of its weight (1,555 kg), all while stiffening its chassis by 40 % thanks to the use of aluminium and CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic). Even compared to the R8 V10, the "Plus" is lightened by about forty kilos, the merit going to the carbon-ceramic brakes as standard, the smaller tank and the carbon bonnet back.

“The V10 with its carbon case. Futuristic cockpit and luxurious materials for the interior of the new R8”.

Another difference - and not the last - between the two models available in the catalogue, the power of the V10 5.2 is 540 horsepower for the base model and 610 horsepower for the "Plus", i.e. 60 additional horsepower compared to the previous generation.
Hat in hand to Audi that offers an engine almost as powerful as the competition, without succumbing to the temptations of downsizing and other overeating! Atmospheric, the 10-pipe organ reveals its entire trunk as it rises. Far from being sluggish in towers (560 Nm at 6,500 rpm), the V10 quickly becomes explosive and literally monstrous up to 8,520 rpm, just before the breaker. All under the screams of the sports exhaust from metal to acute with car backfiring worthy of a hunting party.

Comfortable in the city and monstrous for sports:

The most amazing thing about this new R8 is its ability to adapt to different driving situations. In the city, it manages to be like a nice little city dweller. The V10 puts on the backburner; the electric steering is disconcerting lightness and the 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox shifts smoothly, sometimes allowing freewheeling to save fuel. Even the piloted suspension is particularly effective and cleans the lumbar despite the bucket seats. But don’t forget, the R8 is above all a supercar.
Let’s have a quick glance at the cabin. The driver-orientated driver's seat, the air-conditioning controls and the steering wheel with various functions contribute to the sporty atmosphere of the interior. It is also by playing with the three buttons of the steering wheel that the beast wakes up. Dynamic or Performance mode (Wet, Dry or Snow) of the Drive Select engaged, sport exhaust turned on, the R8 comes out of its false lethargy. At the slightest blow of gas, it leaps with the help of its box in S mode. The latter is also sometimes a little too reactive and has a tendency to drop several reports suddenly to make take off the rocket. Kick to the buttocks guaranteed!

You better opt for the manual mode, especially since the reports are passed in the moment and without any smooth. On this very winding course and lined with gravel, the R8 proves that it has not lost anything of its charm. More interestingly, it seems even easier to drive than before. Not understeering for a penny, it can attack turns at a hallucinating speed. By plunging the muzzle into the rope, the heavy foot on the brakes ultra-efficient and sketching a slight stroke of the steering wheel, it slightly drifts its butt to the re-acceleration to better wind up the turn. A temperament one strand oversteers authorized by a distribution of the torque up to 100 % on the rear train according to driving patterns and envy of the Quattro. Finally, the only complaint concerns the electrical direction and, its many changes in consistency. Very smooth and lightweight in the city, it hardens at high speed and can soften on a braking. Pretty confusing anyway for a muscular car!

To choose the different driving modes ... just press the two buttons on the steering wheel.

Easy to fly and versatile, the new R8 could almost act as a car everyday!

Even more expensive!:

Inflation has not spared the new Audi R8 V10 Plus. Sold from 207.200 € (more than 213.000 € for our test model), it exceeds several thousands of Euros the price of the old generation. A significant increase in the rates that Audi justifies with a richer series endowment including the carbon-ceramic brakes "offered".
However, the prices of the new R8 are now closer to or even exceed those of its prestigious competitors like the Ferrari 488 GTB and Porsche 911 Turbo. But finally, nothing is very surprising seeing its performance and the pleasure of driving that it provides.

The features of the Audi R8 II V10 Plus:

• Dimensions W x W x H: 4,4426 m / 1,940 m / 1,240 m.
• Wheelbase: 2,650 m.
• Trunk volume: 112 liters.
• Empty weight: 1.555 kg.
• Engine: V10 - 5.204 cm3.
• Power: 610 hp at 8,520 rpm.
• Torque: 560 Nm from 6,500 rpm.
• 0 to 100 km / h: 3.2 s.
• Maximum speed: 330 km / h.
• Combined cycle consumption: 12.3 l / 100 km.
• CO2 level: 287 g / km.