Control. That’s what this R8 is all about – control of your emotional reactions, control of traction, poise, efficacy, efficiency, attention to detail.
On the one hand that’s great. You can roll out the cliché about an ‘everyday supercar’ and it actually means something. In all the miles I did in the V10 I didn’t feel uncomfortable, didn’t feel like I had to plan for ages in advance about what route I should take, or what I should wear. Jump in. Fire it up. Go. Job done.
Suppression of road noise makes the car feel civilised, the V10 engine pulls so effortlessly and cleanly from low revs (although it doesn’t sound quite as edgy as the V8 R8) that even with the manual gearbox journeys are just effortless torque trips.
But sometimes – just sometimes – it means the R8 lacks a bit of energy. It doesn’t really know how to completely let loose on the open road. It can be done: the Porsche still does all the sensible stuff right, like having a sat nav that’s easy to operate, and cupholders, and it still manages to get your blood flowing more over a twisty route.
I mainly blame the R8’s steering. It’s precise, linear and predictable but does that typical Volkswagen Group-thing of ironing out the last levels of feedback that make the GT3 so much more involving. Blame the Audi’s front diff and quattro for that. The R8 will flatter you more but it’s lacking an edge, that finger-tip feel.
But then we get to Dunsfold. And all of a sudden an entirely new side to the R8 is revealed. The steering still borders on the safe side, but the chassis is a revelation. There’s so much grip through the corners, and the whole car is fantastically neutral. Speed is effortless. And it’s great fun. At long last, the R8 really starts to come alive.
Get on the power too early and the back end will slide around, but not in a snatchy, oh-dear-this-could-be-expensive-way. Controlled, predictable. Fun.
I’d argue there isn’t a single car here that’s easier to drive instantly quickly. Others would have got there with time and practice, but for the first lap out, the R8 was it. Instant control.
Read the Aston Martin V12 Vantage blog.
Read the KTM X-Bow blog.
Read the Ferrari 599 HGTE blog.
Read the Porsche 911 GT3 blog.
what’s new abuat this car ?
what’s new about this car
see you soon
The 525hp V10 engine.
what else
Would you spend £££ on something that looks like a squashed TT with a body kit? Nope.
People who will buy these cars would be tanning salon owners – it’s chintzy.
I much rather have Jags XKR. Gorgeous and neck breaking fast.
Usif: Slightly different design features and better fuel economy.
I’d have this over a V8 one anyday, if it were my money.
Will the R8 V10 film be included next series? Hope so.
The Audi R8 has always been like a Gallardo in a suit. It’s much more sensible and way less mad than a Gallardo but, in essence, is still the same car. This new one though is still a Gallardo in a suit, only now it’s slightly drunk and mad.
However the Audi has some differences, like the price. It’s £99,500 which is £40k less than the Lambo, but the Audi is slightly toned-down. The Audi has 525bhp, 390lb.ft and can manage 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds. But the Lambo has 560bhp and 400lb.ft and this allows it to do 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds which is slightly faster than the Audi. But the difference is tiny, unlike the price difference. So the Audi is a bargain in a way.
I do like this Audi, it’s fast, easy to drive on the limit and it’s very sophisticated, but it’s basically a toned-down and sensible Lamborghini Gallardo which just doesn’t really sound right. However it is £40k less than the Lambo and as far as i can see, you don’t get £40k less car, no where near in fact. So if your looking for a bargain Gallardo get an R8 V10, it’s a Lambo you can use everyday.
The R8 V10′s time was 1:23.6
i agree with PetrolHead247!!!
the R8 its a practical and comfortable Gallardo
the Audi is a great example of a supercar that you can actually use everyday. Unlike the GT3 or the Xbow which are strictly on-track, the R8 can give you the thrills of the track, on the road. Its as exciting as it is on the track when you’re just nipping out to the shops
Don’t forget that this V10 version has far more kit as standard that would otherwise be optional on the V8 version. Stuff like the metallic paint, sat-nav, B&O sound system, the LED running lights, stainless steel pedals, leather seats, and folding mirrors and more are already fitted on.
This justifies the £20,000 price difference between the V8 and V10 versions; about half of that is on the extra equipment. The LED lights cost nearly £3000 to include for the V8.
Spec a V8 R8 in the same way and it will likely cost over £90,000. So the V10 R8′s pricing makes sense.
It may be all does thing but would u really buy one?? Think on it.
I think that if i want a sensible supercar bur a bargain price the answer will always be the GTR. And if u want to be mad with fun u can allways buy an Atom with the change…
The one supercar you can drive everyday!
Only if it looked like the aston!
I just hope the R8 doesn’t catch on fire like the Gallardo tends to do! :-S
The audi R8 V10 is 1 of the best supercars about. great 2 drive anywhere and everywhere.
The time was 1:21:0
That silver stripe on the blue is ugly.
Maserati GT?
As a racer its good, on par with the GTR and now with v10 definitely better but it just looks like its not trying to be a supercar. Just a…car.
the lap is irrelevant in a sense because it was a practice lap, the stig was driving lairy… knock 3 secs off whatever you see here…
and the people that are saying it looks like a normal car or a squashed TT… u obviously havent seen one in person… it looks incredible
When it comes to the R8 (V8 or V10) it just leaves me cold.
The r8 looks BEUTIFULL!
Well they always are!
I’m not sure £99,500 is worth it. I’d rather spend £75k on a Noble M15 – just as much fun and 0-60 in 3.9s.
In the road test Hammond said it was a car you could use everyday. The V10 R8 might be easier to live with… but the M15 is a more focused definitive supercar.
Sorry, 0-60 is 3.5s
did anyone noticed that the v10 engine (wich is the same frome the gallardo) sounds a bit like the five-cylinder engine from the Ur-Quattro?
The price is very steep and it’s not the fastest car around but it will do the job and it’s one of the cheapest supercars out there, but jaguars are much cheaper and more sophisticated!
That colour is absolutely hideous.
LED running lights still look chavvy and cheap – I don’t care how many expensive Audis have them, they look like they’ve just come from Al’ Frauds.
Nigh on 100k for an AUDI???!? Have to agree with A.C. (comment 25) Noble for fun and I’d have an Alfa 159 for motorways / family.
thank you ash
Nice car `n all, but, lets be honest, it`s a lamborghini gallardo under the skin. And that`s just more exciting.
It did it in 1.21 so close to McLaren SLR and faster than the V8 version by about 3.4 seconds.
The Audi R8 V10 is one of my most favourite-looking cars I’ve ever seen. (Of course I’ve never driven it, I’m only 9!) I’d much prefer it to any of the cars in the supercar showdown (TopGear issue 195.) And, Elementry Dear Boy, I don’t think it looks like a squashed TT with a body kit. That’s like saying I’d rather have a Perodua Kenari! Anyway the R8 looks gorgeous and will they bring out a convertible version?
remember jeremy said Audi is uncool car on the cool wall
I think its a bit of a joke car, have you see the people who drive these things?!!!! I have also seen TT owners with a body kit to make their car look like an R8! Sad and pointless. Rather have the Maserati GT, totally beautiful and unique and bespoke, looking like nothing on the road, including its big brother
I love the old Audi r8 but the more power the better!!!
I love the old Audi r8 but the more power the better!!!
Bye
yes the r8 v10 might be in the next series vs the vette ZR1
it wasnt in series 13 cause they didnt have time 2 view it!
the R8 v10 is sooo cool
hope audi make an RS version of the r8
@mike (11): Thanks, at least i know that some people actually bother to read my comments and that i’m not talking absolute codswallop!
@Ginger kid (18): The time was actually 1:23.6 as stated on my comment (#10) and in TG Mag itself.
gentlemen stop talking about audi
Audi R8′s Are Not Gallardos in a suit audi own lamborgini so its the other way around its the gallardo in a audi r8 suit
How can anyone say this leaves them cold?
The Audi R8 is not only beautiful (my heart skipped faster, and it made by day when I saw one on the motorway beside my car) but a true engineering masterpiece.
The Alfa 8C…not only does it leave me cold, it leaves me vomiting in a bucket.
If your going to buy a car that ugly you might as well save up a little more and go full ugly mode and buy a Gumpert.
Who ever styled that car should be shot …. no I mean sacked then shot.
Cheap supercar… it sounds weird.
Supercar can’t really be used on open road, so you just bought it for the object itself, and take a thrill from time to time…
If you don’t have the money to get a new supercar, what’s wrong with a classic one? I’m pretty sure a 512BB is good enough for the thrill… but it might be quite more expensive to run… well, bad point. Sorry.
One of the great cars and also in the lists’ for the most beautifully designed supercars.
Even Jeremy did’nt hesitate in giving it a 5 star rating and instead gave it a 6 on the mag.
I think it’s a tad understated… the old R8 is brilliant, but you might as well advertise that it’s now a V10. As in make it LOOK a lil bit more crazy.
Then again, who wouldn’t want to own one? (then show it off to absolutely everybody)
any1 who says the time was 1:21 is an idiot ive got the mag and it was 1:23.6 slower than the gt3 and dont disagree with me
The R8 V10 is a Sensible Supercar.
They really should do a track day version, more power, less weight and a big ass price tag
the r8 sounds great and has stunning performance and it handles brilliantly
“Speed is effortless. And it’s great fun.”
No, man. It’s not fun and it’s not effortless.
It’s thrill and it’s power.
Now how much did you say you paid for it?
j
The Audi R8 V10 is the worlds greatest german sports car. It is just that little bit better than the V8.
whats the horsepower in this car ?
its nice looking and its cheap compared to some of its rivals even though its still the best german car to be made
the r8 round the track is 1.24.4 the gt3rs is 1.22.3 so “hi” is wrong
the gt3rs is 1.22.3 and 911 gt3 is 1.27.2 so hi is completely wrong.porsches arent that good this is about the r8 but you would take a lamborghini murcielago than a gt3.
i think yhis is a great car i dont know what everyboy is on about
how can some say they hate this colour, its just plain dark blue?
and how is it anything like a tt?i dont see the same grill or the unpainted strips or the detailing on the back end on a tt!
they should do a mental rs r8 with 800bhp v16:P
Ok lads, take a rewind please, all of you saying horrible colour please realize that if the fat man with the red suit, white facial hair & flying animals delivered you one for Christmas you’d all be out in your new toy care free & VERY happy about the colour regardless of the imminent beating you’ll receive for missing your little ones opening their gifts & festive meal with the in-laws.
My Dad has a brand new Audi A4 Avant and every time we get in it my Dad always says when i’m rich i’ll get the R8 V10. Never mind the V10 i want the V12 TDI.
Funky and fast. I want the V10!
when r u going to have a test between R8 and NISSAN GT-R ?
go woohoo any say love the audi R8
OH suits you sir
My Brother Love’s That Car The R8 V10 He’s Said
“I Don’t Like The R8 V8 Cos Is Rubbish”I Said “Oh Why Do You Hate The R8 V8 Cos Is Good”
My Dad Has Saw The R8 But The Bad Thing Is He Said “I Can’t Hear Was It V8 Or V10 Good Bye
I been in a r8 v8 and it was amazing. it so low down and it feels so quick. so what the v10 is like? But u have to get it in black. and it only costs £99,500
the audi r8 v10 is the ultimate car ever! How can someone argue? if I get my drivers licence it will be the first car I ever drive!!! car of my dreamzzzz!!
all of you people out there who criticize it probably have never sat in it or even seen it. The pictures do not do it justice. It does not look like a squashed TT up close, it is more aggressive while still being sensible. IT isn’t crazy looking which some say is bad but being in a Zonda or a Reventon with your front bumper scraping on the ground isn’t very comfortable especially when one of those spends half its time in the repair shop. So what the audi is is a sensible supercar for people who want to be able to drive their supercar everyday without it breaking.That is why the audi is such a brilliant car at what it does. It isn’t crazy its just sensible, comfortable and also powerful, its the ultimate two-seater gt. By the Way Aston one-77 is most beautiful car in the world
When Clarkson was driving it and mentioning the performance did he not say 0 – 125 in 8 secs? If so surely he must be wrong?