2017 Audi R8 V10+ Review
Car Tested: 2017 Audi R8 V10+; Road Test No. 820
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 3.40 crores
The Audi R8 has stupendous performance making it a thoroughly lovable supercar
With the recent trend of downsizing and turbocharging that manufacturers are following, naturally aspirated cars are becoming a rarer breed and it is natural for car enthusiasts to get excited when they get to drive an NA car. The Audi R8 has now entered in its second generation and while the first generation was available with V8 and V10 engines, the new one only gets a V10 engine for India and it is offered in the top spec V10+ trim.
Motor Quest: The first generation Audi R8 was a successful supercar and it fetched some really good sales for Audi worldwide, including the Indian market. The new R8 has also been received well and it maintains its sharp dynamics and offers tons of fun.
The design now gets sharper elements
Exteriors – What we are sampling here is the new generation Audi R8 which gets way too many changes and enhancements on the outside. However, Audi has maintained the stance and shape of the R8 and thus this car looks more like a thoroughly revised version. What I totally love about the car is the sharp styling with striking lines that makes the vehicle look fast even while it is still. The body is lightweight thanks to the Audi Space Frame structure. The R8 is very low and looks super wide, giving it brilliant presence on the road. Styling elements like the honeycomb grille, LED headlamps, striking tail lights, rear bumper diffuser, carbon fibre panels and the appealing alloy wheels combine to make the R8 look spectacular and the kind of attention it attracts on the roads is overwhelming.
The cabin of the Audi R8 has a cockpit-like feel
Interiors – This being a supercar, the interior is a bit on the compact side. The seats are low slung and can be adjusted only for height. The large flat-bottomed steering has a ton of buttons and it feels great to hold. The centre console gets the gear knob and the MMI control knob. You do not get any screen on the dashboard but you do get a brilliant Virtual Cockpit which also provides functions for navigation, music, vehicle settings and obviously the instrument cluster. The AC vents on the dashboard have a sporty design but what’s worth noting is that the vents on either sides of the dashboard are actually placed on the doors and not on the dashboard like other cars.
Storage spaces are on the lesser side, luggage capacity limited too
Bucket seats means you don’t get full adjustment options, they are very supportive though
The ergonomic layout is one of the best I’ve seen and the placement of controls and buttons is within easy reach of the hand. Outward visibility is a bit limited due to the shape, dimensions and small glass area but the cameras do a good job in assisting while parking. The AC is a decent performer but nothing extraordinary. The sound from the audio system is awesome but we preferred listening to the soundtrack from the V10 engine. The seats might have limited adjustment but they are very supportive and hug you from the sides. Since the engine is mounted at the rear, you get some free space in the ‘bonnet’ (112-litres) which is just enough for a couple of small carry bags since it also has the spare wheel. Even on the inside, storage spaces are very limited and there are hardly any cubbyholes in the cabin.
The 5.2-litre V10 NA engine is shared with the Lamborghini Huracan
Performance – Enough discussion on the exteriors and interiors, let’s get to the meat of the matter now. The powerplant sitting at the rear of the car is a beastly 610 HP at 8250 RPM and 560 Nm at 6500 RPM naturally aspirated, 5.2-litre, V10 engine which comes matched to a 7-speed S-Tronic gearbox. Press the red button on the steering wheel and the motor comes to life with a loud rumble. The engine settles with a meaty exhaust note and once you start driving with light throttle inputs, the mill constantly gives out a burble. Give it the beans and the music from the V10 powertrain is a source of immense pleasure.
Performance is splendid, exhaust note is sweet!
The V10 engine is power-packed with the gearbox complementing it well
Talking about driveability, there is a linear surge of power right from 1000 RPM to the 8000 RPM redline. This being an NA engine, turbo lag is out of the question, the aggressiveness with which the power is delivered is mindblowing. 0-100 km/hr comes up in just 3.2 seconds and the entire rev band feels punchy. The Audi R8 has a top speed of 330 km/hr. The 7-speed tranny is quick shifting and downshifts gears rapidly when you pin the throttle in kick down mode. There are different driving modes via Audi Drive Select like Comfort, Individual, Dynamic and Auto and I think Comfort mode is good for most driving situations. The Dynamic mode is useful on the track as well as when you want to push the car on the twisties. Talking about fuel efficiency of a supercar is a crime so no comments here. However, I’m sure you’re curious and so, the R8 churns out 3-4 km/l under usual driving conditions with some pedal-to-metal moments while sedate and consistent driving on the highways will deliver 6 km/l too.
The R8 feels taut and quattro keeps the car composed without any drama
Driving Dynamics – The stiff suspension and the super low profile tyres means the ride quality is extremely stiff. You need to go really, really slow on even small bumps if you want to save your back. However, the stiff setup makes the R8 feel extremely composed and taut on straights as well as corners. The way in which the R8 enters corners and comes out shining makes you fall in love with the car. The steering is very direct and the car maintains its line well, thanks to quattro too. The huge carbon fibre ceramic disc brakes do a very fine job and speeds are shed as quickly as they are gained. The grippy tyres let you have proper fun with the car.
The second generation Audi R8 comes with a long safety feature list
Safety and After Sales Service – Audi has a pretty good sales and after-sales network in India so servicing the R8 won’t be an issue. In terms of safety features, you get a lot of tech like traction control, ESP, ASR, Electronic Differential Lock, collapsible steering column, ABS with EBD along with multiple airbags including dual front airbags, side airbags, seat-mounted and side head level airbags.
One of the best supercars around, the NA engine is superb
Verdict – The Audi R8 V10+ is one of those cars you instantly fall in love with. There is so much going for this car that just cannot be described in words. It looks stunning to say the least, the interiors are a perfect combination of ergonomics and tech-laden, the performance is out of this world and the driving dynamics make sure you would never want to leave the driver’s seat. The R8 V10+ is an awesome supercar that might not be practical for daily usage but it will definitely plaster a huge grin on your face.
Indian roads and supercars don’t go hand in hand though
What’s Cool
* Can’t describe the styling in words
* Cockpit-like dashboard is a lovely place to be in
* 5.2-litre V10 engine is a blast
* Handling characteristics are sporty, making the R8 engaging to drive
What’s Not So Cool
* Supercars aren’t that practical on our roads
Alternatives: Jaguar F-Type, Mercedes AMG GT-S, Porsche 911, Nissan GT-R
The supercar segment sees a plethora of options now
2017 Audi R8 V10+ Specifications
* Engine: 5204cc, V10, Naturally Aspirated, DOHC
* Power: 602 HP @ 8250 RPM
* Torque: 560 Nm @ 6500 RPM
* Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch AT
* Fuel Consumption: 4-5 km/l
* Fuel Type: Petrol
* Suspension:
* Tyres: 235/35/19 (Front), 295/30/19 (Rear)
* Brakes: Carbon Ceramic Discs (Front & Rear), ABS
* Safety: Airbags, ABS, EBD, BA, ESP, Traction Control, Hill Hold, ASR, EDL
2017 Audi R8 V10+ Dimensions
* Overall length x width x height: 4426 mm X 1940 mm X 1240 mm
* Wheelbase: 2650 mm
* Ground clearance: 110 mm
* Turning Radius: 5.9-metres
* Fuel Tank Capacity: 73-litres
* Kerb Weight: 1695 kgs
The R8 competes with the GT-R, AMG GT-S, F-Type and 911