Audi R8 V10 Plus Review - The Smart Man's Supercar
Pros
Cons
Is it fast?
Of course it blooming is. It’s the fastest accelerating R8 yet, and the sidebladed supercars that precede it have been far from tardy. With the 5.2-litre engine wound up to 542bhp, the Plus is 24bhp beefier than the standard V10 and good for a 3.5sec sprint to 62mph if – as most will – you pick the S-tronic paddleshift gearbox rather than the click-clack open-gate manual.
Is it sexy?
Despite five years on sale and multitudinous appearances in Premier League car parks, gossip columns and Hollywood blockbusters, surely no one can tire of seeing the R8. While the rest of the Audi range is plainer than white bread, the R8 remains a slice of exotic cake. The Plus is sexier still thanks to use of carbon on its splitter, diffuser, side blades and mirrors.
What’s it like to drive?
The R8 has always been a deliciously responsive four-wheel drive sports car among brutish rear-drive supercars, a very well balanced thing that makes great noises but will ultimately be beaten by more exotic Italians. The Plus is more than a splash of carbon weave and some extra poke – it raises the R8 into supercar territory with a ferocious lick of pace that will drop your jaw, quicken your pulse and then wipe a bloody massive grin across your face.
While the six-speed manual gearbox that comes standard is a work of art to look at and gorgeous to use, the S-tronic transmission is partly responsible for just how fast the R8 has become. It’s a twin-clutch operation, so gearchanges are near as damn it immediate, helping to exaggerate the relentless pace. The midengined Audi is still a precise and satisfying handler, you’ll just have to account for how much quicker you’ll reach corners. Good job a humongous set of carbonceramic brakes comes as standard then…
How about the inside?
Audi’s mastery of ‘feel good’ means everything that makes its less exotic cars so well engineered to touch and use remains, but that does arguably remove some of the R8’s supercar sheen – you could climb out of a diesel A1 and not feel intimidated, which is both good and bad. Still, a rear view mirror full of engine and a flat-bottomed steering wheel should be enough to get you excited again.
Will my mates rate it?
They probably already do. The R8 is one of those rare motors that even people who don’t dig cars knows about, thanks partly to those cameo appearances we talked about earlier. If they are sitting on the fence, one forceful blip of the throttle could change anyone’s mind. Its V10 engine sounds sensational.
Can I afford it?
Starting at £125,810 (or £128,710 with the paddleshift ‘box) it ain’t cheap, but then its performance, noise and drama really do run a Ferrari 458 Italia close – and that’s over fifty grand pricier. So there, the R8 is the budget choice. Honest.
Show me three used alternatives
We haven’t taken complete leave of our senses – the Mister Two’s name refers to its mid-engine layout, so it’s a baby supercar if you use your imagination. Mk2 cars are pennies and the easiest to find, but also the spikiest to drive, so go easy…
No imagination necessary here – this is a proper Japanese supercar. Those in the know hark back to the NSX’s mix of creamy handling and everyday practicality when they get behind the wheel of the easy-to-drive R8. Prices start at £25k – but there aren’t many, so buy quickly.
Yep, thanks to the R8’s age you can bag one for less than a new TT nowadays, so long as you can tolerate someone else having thrashed it before you. Early V10s start at £60,000 while 414bhp V8 models kick off at around £40,000…
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