Audi R8 V10 is ‘fastest ever’
August 12, 2009 by David Twomey
It’s the fastest Audi ever seen in Australia and also the most expensive, we’re talking about the Audi R8 V10 which officially went on sale in Australia today.
The bad news is that, even if you have the $351,000 to buy one, there’s little chance you will have the opportunity as Audi is reportedly only bring 10 into the country this year, and they’ve all been sold.
Developed jointly with quattro GmbH, the R8 V10 sees Audi reinforcing its leading position in the high-performance sports car segment.
The newly developed 10-cylinder engine develops 386kW of breathtaking performance while 530Nm of torque endows it with unstoppable power.
Both R-tronic sequential gearbox and a six-speed manual transmission are available.
Audi’s managing director, Joerg Hofmann, says this new model, while niche, will nonetheless significantly boost the brand’s cache in the sports car segment.
“The R8 V8 has been very successful in Australia, so much so that we have been securing additional production from other markets to fill our waiting lists,” Mr Hoffman said.
“This new V10 version will certainly prove popular with an exclusive number of customers who want blistering performance, combined with head-turning design and the vast benefit offered by our vehicle which is everyday versatility,” he added.
quattro permanent all-wheel drive, Audi Space Frame ASF lightweight technology, mid-ship engine mounting and the innovative all-LED lights propel the new Audi model right to the top of its competitive field.
Offering clear proof of the benefits of these technologies, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro manual tips the scales at 1620kg thanks to its lightweight body.
The exterior of the V10 version differs distinctly from its V8 sibling, particularly at the front, at the side blades, which provide the engine with intake air, and at the tail end.
A very distinctive highlight of the R8 V10 is the all-LED headlights as standard equipment.
The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro covers zero to 100km/h in a blinding 3.9 seconds and passes the 200km/h mark in another 8.1secs, using the R-tronic gearbox, before blasting on to a top speed of 316km/h.
The V10 engine is firmly rooted in Audi’s motorsport tradition and it revs all the way up to 8700 rpm, almost as high as a racing engine.
It’s not all unbridled performance and thanks to direct injection technology, the R8 5.2 FSI quattro with sequential R-tronic transmission, gets by on an average fuel consumption of 13.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
Audi R8 model range and pricing:
Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro manual $277,200
Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro R tronic $293,100
Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro manual $351,000
Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro R tronic $366,900
Pricing reflects manufacturer’s recommended pricing including GST and LCT (excluding dealer delivery and statutory charges).
Print it: 
This has got to be one of the best looking cars on the road to date. Not to mention, one of the quickest. The V10 is a great idea. I wonder how they would fair with a TD version…
God these feisty germans are on a roll again. Agree with Jack that this is THE best looking car on the road even beating the Aston Martin DB9. Thats just my opinion BTW. But if they can only get 530 Nm out of 5.2 litres of V10, i wonder why people bag Holden for using pushrods when they can get 550 Nm out of 8 cylinders.
3.9 to 100? That is bloody quick for an Audi!
I think I’d prefer the V12 TT diesel though….
Shak,
I was thinking the same on Torque, but was worried about saying it out loud.
530nm doesnt sound like much from a 5.2 carrying 10 cylinders.
The I6 was getting 550nm 5 years ago.
But in saying that its probably to their credit that they can still propel it to 100kmh so bloody quickly.
What a weapon
“The exterior of the V10 version differs distinctly from its V8 sibling”
Can’t say I agree with that- looks the same to me.
Best value supercar on the market by the sounds of it.
Would have to spec it with the ABT aero kit though, just can’t go past the look of that thing!
i hope you can get it in manual
I too think it looks great. I wouldn’t go as far as calling it an Aston Martin beater in the design department, but it still looks good. I can’t get over the side view though – it looks strange. The side window should have kept going to the back corner rather than having the side blade because it ruins the proportions. It’s not helped by the limited colour choices you get for the side blade either as it certainly looks better in some colours than others.
I’m also not sure if putting the V10 in was the best idea. Obviously more power is always good, but here it just ruins the already fantastic V8 version. It’s going to make the V8 version look like the 911 Carrera to the 911 Carrera S. Or in other words, like you bought it to be seen in rather than to drive when in reality it’s still a brilliant car.
I just don’t know why everything always has to be made better. I think at the very least it should have been a limited edition.
I’d much rather have seen a diesel as well, even if it’s the 4.2 V8 TDI instead of the V12.
Wow what a weapon. Is half the story from the press release though as it’s making out it’s an all Audi engine.
D, it is different. The main changes are on the back and the wheels. I’m not sure if these are actually pictures of the V10 version as it has V8 wheels. The changes are reasonably subtle though.
Yanzo, look at the price list. You certainly can.
This is an absolutely brilliant car.Not only is it quick, its apparently easy to live with day in day out and is unlike anything else on the road. It pushes the envelope of style brilliantly and is finished to perfection, as are all Audi`s. They maybe considered conservative by some but even previous Audi`s and VW still look new compared to alot of other cars on the road. I can`t think of a better manufacturer out there at the moment and they have the best line up.
@ Shak & Andrew M
That whole point of the Audi/Lambo engine is to achieve a high hp/l & nm/l.
The specific torque of the 5.2l v10 is higher than the amount produced by pretty much any of the non-displaced GM engines.
That argument is very similar to that old argument of what is better, the v10 out of the m5, or the ls7 v8 out of a corvette?
Haha, im loving the diesel r8 comments, just 2 years ago, that would be considered to be crazy talk.
Do want..
Either the V8 or V10 in Black. Very good looking car but if it gets any more exe you’d might as well go the Lambo or Ferarri cause let’s be honest, you can afford either.
What’s all this talk about about diesel!?!
You have a great car that is plenty fast and people are talking about diesel!?!
Go and buy a diesel Merc or BMW,leave petrol engined cars to the real enthusiasts!
Bloody stinking diesel cars!!!
The Torque number again highlight how impressive the XR6Turbo and F6 engines really are. 533NM on a $45000 Car.
Mr Quick i wasnt saying the pushrods are better as they most certainly arent, i was just curious about why thye can only get that much compared to the pushrods from GM.
You just cant compare torque figures between NA and FI type. You will find that almost all NA engines have a torque to displacement ratio of around 100x. i.e 5.2L = 520nm, 2.0L = 200nm, 3.5L = 350nm. Forced induction adds a different kettle of fish. What makes this Audi so brilliant is the 8700rpm redline :)
Thats a pretty simple answer then good sir, there is no replacement for displacement(except RPM).
There is simply a greater volume of fuel going into the combustion chamber in those GM engines, its something that v10 can’t counter, sure it could rev harder, but you lose driveability and low down torque in that circumstance.
Yes nice and all. Call me a badge snob if you will, but at the end of the day,it is an Audi. BMs and Mercs poorer brother. If you had $351K+ to burn you might get one for going shopping – even though it is clearly much more capable than that – but doesnt matter how you cut it, an Audi just does not have the presence of a Rising Stallion or a Raging Bull or an Aston.
Conversation at the Tatts.
“So Gibbs, what is parked in your garage now?”
“Oh I just got delivered my new Audi. Only 10 in the country you know.”
“Dear oh dear Gibbs. I never knew times were so tough. Hope things pick up soon old boy.”
Shak, Gm also uses a 6.2L engine to get that torque, while the Audi gets it with a 5.2.
Shak, It takes HSV 6.2 litres to get 550 Nm – and Ford FPV 5.4 litres to get 551 NM & 315Kw for $67K – as apposed the Audi R8s $351K. The Ford XR8 5.4 is 520Nm for $48K.
But then …thats venturing into the Real World!
QwkEddie, you can’t embrace what is simply a different fuel and you call yourself an enthusiast? Your no more than somebody stuck in the idea that diesel should be saved for trucks and economy cars when these days diesel engines often better the equivalent petrol engine.
If we say we want a diesel R8, a diesel BMW or Mercedes isn’t really going to do the trick because they aren’t super cars.
If you have such prejudice against diesel, that’s your choice but I pity you because your missing out on the fuel that powers many of the car worlds great engines now.
I have to say, for more than 300k, why buy an Audi? R8 V8 is a brilliant piece of kit, but for more than 300k, you can have Porsche, Maserati, Aston or if stretch a bit more can also get a Ferrari or Lambo. Any of them will have more sense of occasion than an Audi.
Alex, diesel is a great fuel for relaxed driving and economy driving, but i struggle to see how a diesel engine will fit in with a sports car. Part of a sports car’s appeal is the aural delight and the revving of the engine to high RPM, neither of which can be truly delivered by a diesel engine. Even the V12 in Q7 is limited on rev, and though sounding good for a diesel, can’t possibly match the sound from a V12 petrol engine.
I’m not saying diesel is better or worse than petrol, i just think there’s a suitable application for each type of technology.
@ Flying High
oh man, thats some awesome trolling you’re doing there, well done buddy, keep it up.
If you are really going to be adamant on comparing NA and FI engines, there is a really crude way of comparing them, simply multiplying the FI engine displacement by 1.7 to get displacement comparable to a NA engine, though remember this is not accounting for boost at all.
If you apply that equation, the ford 4.0l straight-6 has a perceived NA displacement of 6.8l, though this isn’t a particularly accurate figure as I’m pretty certain that the straight-6 runs below 1 bar (almost 1 atmosphere) of boost.
If you do account for boost, the perceived NA displacement is in the 6.0-6.3l range.
Once again if you compare it to this 5.2l v10, as impressive as the GM engines or the Ford engine are, they are way out of their league, this engine is simply a masterpiece.
just realised how beautiful these cars are in the metal, the v10 definitely reinforces that
Damn that’s a stunning car and I reckon The styling alone makes it worth the price. Better than a Gallardo, 911, XKR, V8 Vantage/DBS – it looks menacing.
I do think I’d prefer the diesel though. I do like diesel and I would love to see the result if two opposing forces (that is: diesel and sports cars) clashed. The R8 V8 wheels on the V10 don’t look very nice though…
I wonder why ppl still consider Diesel = bad for racing automatically.
May be the currently available diesel engines found in road cars in the market aren’t that great for racing. There are certainly great performers out there like the Audi R10 and purgeot 908HDi that took the LeMans 24!
The Audi R8 V10 has been launched here in South Africa too. We recently had a chance to drive Audi’s new range topper and provide some first impressions – http://bit.ly/Jnj1A
Too enter this whole power/torque battle. It only takes ferrari 4.5L of N/A V8 too get 425kw/540nm in their latest 458 model. That has too be world beating specific power/torque per litre from a N/A engine IMO! If not it is seriously impressive oomph from such a small capacity N/A V8. Audi straps two turbos too a 5l V10 too get 426kw.
The R8 V10 is a real ripper. I don’t have this sort of money, so for me it is FPV or HSV. Sounds ridiculous too say, but at $350k it is a cheap way too get access too the brilliant lambo 5.2L V10!
4pics of the front, and none of the back?? the rear angle is so nice.
but argh.. i want one so bad. v8 or v10, i dont mind.. aslong as its white. :D
This only went on sale today? My father-in-law and I saw one in the exact same colour parked in the Woden Westfield (Canberra, ACT) last weekend. Definatley was the V10 as we stood around gawking at it it for quite a while. Possibly the Audi Dealership owner maybe?
I wouldnt be able to stand a track day dominated by diesel cars. What a stinky experience
Stay away from Le Mans then, Stuzz. Your stinky dreams will come true.
Nice and all ..but … give me the new 911 Turbo please ..better bang for buck … and only takes up one lane ;)
Flying High Says:
August 12th, 2009 at 10:39 pm
“but at the end of the day,it is an Audi. BMs and Mercs poorer brother. If you had $351K+ to burn you might get one for going shopping – even though it is clearly much more capable than that – but doesnt matter how you cut it, an Audi just does not have the presence of a Rising Stallion or a Raging Bull or an Aston.”
Agreed. $350K+ can get you some mighty fine cars, including second hand, why would I purchase an Audi? A company who charges $100K for FWD cars and shares platforms with its cheaper brothers.
People can say what they want about exclusivity but it don’t mean much when badge cache doesn’t stack up. Take a look at the 427 – sorry less than 200 – examples of the Holden W427. Or the TRD Aurion.
MMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
The trouble with either Merc or BMW they just aren`t producing good looking cars, I mean an M3 is a great car and its easy enough on the eye but not beautiful. If I personally had to have a BMW it would be a 335i but only if I won one.But with Mercedes I can`t think of a desirable one and when it comes to interiors no one does it better than Audi, they are the bench mark.
Finally they’ve come up with something BMW doesn’t have a better answer for. This is really cool.