Audi's super car just gained extra grunt with a V10 engine yet only claims 13.7 litres per 100 km. Photo Gallery
Audi's everyday supercar, the R8, has never been accused of needing more grunt.
At least, not by anyone with a sense of sanity. But Audi has revealed an upcoming addition to the R8 range — the R8 V10.
The much-anticipated direct-injection dry-sump 5.2-litre 90-degree V10 — which has close ties to the Lamborghini sibling within the Volkswagen stable — produces 386kW at 8000rpm and 530Nm at 6500rpm.
The R8 V10 six-speed manual weighs only 1620kg — 258kg of that is the engine, 31kg more than the 4.2-litre V8 — and leaps to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds; 200km/h is reached less than five seconds later and its top speed is 316km/h.
The lightweight V10 also lays claim to a reasonable thirst — given the performance potential — of 13.7 litres per 100 km.
It retains the quattro all-wheel drive system, is enclosed beneath a lightweight aluminium spaceframe body and has the production-car first LED headlights — Audi is the first car maker to use an LED light all external lights.
The engine will share close ties to the recently-revealed GT race car, with the dry-sump lubrication system, allowing it to be low in the engine bay for better centre of gravity.
Among the other features will be launch control, 19in alloys with 235/35 front and 295/30 rear, 44/56 front/rear weight distribution, tyre pressure monitoring, magnetic ride control suspension, eight-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers, ventilated and perforated discs and the option of a lightweight carbon-composite ceramic brake system.
There's also a rear spoiler which deploys automatically at 100km/h to generate additional downforce.
The body-in-white of the R8 V10, which includes an engine frame made of ultra-light magnesium, weighs only 210 kilograms (463 lb).
Other features highlights include heated seats covered in Nappa leather, a driver information system (including an integrated rear camera), an alarm, satellite navigation and the Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Various leather trim options are also available, as well as the Audi exclusive program that can upgrade the interior to generate a "racing atmosphere" into the R8 V10.
Given the price rise between the V8 and the V10 models in Europe, expect the R8 V10 to top $350,000 when its rubber hits Australian roads towards the end of next year.
