Audi R8 V10 Plus: A firecracker supercar

Audi adds another emphatic chapter to its nascent, but flourishing supercar history by introducing the new R8 V10 Plus - their fastest series-production vehicle yet

It was 2006 when Ingolstadt-based luxury manufacturer Audi first introduced their modern-day supercar. The mid-engine R8 combined Audi's proven quattro all-wheel drive technology with large engineering bits from the Lamborghini Gallardo, making it a force to be reckoned with. Albeit, with that V10 engine, it played second fiddle to the baby Lamborghini for political reasons and assumed down-rated power outputs. This year, though, it's all going to change with the 2016 Audi R8 V10 Plus. We had the opportunity to the turn the ignition on one, followed by sessions of rapid and coach-pace travel, and even had the opportunity to take it grocery shopping. Here's our word.

DESIGN & AESTHETICS
I'll always remember seeing the original R8 for the first time - the sharp-nosed, low-slung design always managed to stir up street folk and render them momentarily epileptic. It wasn't just a car. It was an engineering contraption built for speed with dreamy design ideologies that came from a collective attempting to break away from contemporary supercar designs.
The second and new iteration of the car didn't seem much different in its many online appearances, and lowered my expectations .until I saw it in the flesh! The new car still maintains that look of the previous generation's wind-slicing aircraft-like fuselage, suspended on a set of four wheels.
The frontal lighting has that Tron-theme going for it, with its LED daytime running lights. As an option, you can also have laser high beams that will let you see as far as 600 metres - it will definitely help navigate around any camel about to take a midnight stroll. It is complemented by fancy dynamic turn signals at the front and rear that we see as yellow lines zip across the cluster in the direction of intended movement.
There are plenty of 6-sided and trapezoidal figures like the singleframe grille that fill the face of the new R8. A dose of aggression is lent from the vertical black fangs that go over the mesh air intakes.
Regrettably, the characteristic side blade that people remember the R8 for has disappeared. almost. Audi has instead chosen to give it less conspicuity, by making it a two-piece design, which you can also paint in a colour contrasting to the body or have it in carbon-fibre - motorsports' favourite word!
While inspecting the rear, we did have a close look at the crossbar over the exposed engine. With such a display of mechanicals, you know you're a step closer to a "monoposto"..AKA racing car! The V10 Plus gets the large carbon wing as standard - which replaces the retractable one on the regular model. That, along with the diffuser, anchors the car down at speed. And they've discarded those large circular tail pipes for less conspicuous in-bumper exhaust tips. Then there are more fangs on the mesh outlets at the rear too.
But it's not all "cutting edge" and angles - the rounded roof gives the otherwise wedge-like outlook great balance.
The new R8 is serious supercar material. It has an "angry" exterior that is sure to raise eyebrows.
How about proportions and construction? At 4.42 meters length, 1.24 meters height, and 1.94 meters width, it is essentially the same size as before. However, the new R8 uses an evolved version of the Audi Space Frame and shell. It combines carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP) and lightweight aluminium, making it 15 per cent lighter and 40 per cent more rigid than its predecessor. Both of which are great if you have a need for speed.
Mind your head, hairstyle and knees while you step into the low-residing interiors of the R8. Stare ahead from the driver's seat and you will see a thick-rimmed steering wheel, with 3 spokes and a flat bottom which feels great in the palms. It is accompanied by more buttons on it than a space station's control panel. Besides those on the stalks for audio and phone control, you also have buttons for prime functionality like the red starter button and others that float around the centre-piece like "satellites" around a planet and that is what Audi likes to call them.
If you've been following Audis closely, you'd know that the infotainment screen from the centre-console has gone. Instead, there is a customisable 12.3-inch TFT colour display that combines both the instrument gauges and multimedia. And you can toggle between modes to get the best fit.
The shift lever has been made a T-handle, allowing you to rest your wrist when required. But we liked the traditional shifter in its predecessor, which had an otherwise ageing design that shared an annoying ambience with cheaper Audi sedans. And it would hurt to know your R8 (the older one) costs twice as much as a family car and looks the same. This time, though, it's different. The traditional hand brake is gone, replaced by an electric parking brake and the new MMI system's rotary control with its four quadrant of buttons takes over the bottom console.
As we cosied in the front seats, we found that as small and as low this car maybe, people upto 6 ft 2 inch tall would easily fit. Also, the black hide decorated with red contrast stitching creates elegant quilted upholstery that exudes a "rich" taste. They say tourists don't revisit places often, but I'd like to get into an R8 once again!

POWERTRAIN & PERFORMANCE
Upon pressing the red starter button, the engine revved to life with a loud obnoxious rumble that reverberated through the cabin.
Under that transparent rear hatch is a high-revving 5.2-litre V10 borrowed straight out of the belly of the Lamborghini Huracan. This engine has 40 valves, 2 clutches, 7 gears, 4 wheels driven and no turbo boost or battery assist. just naturally aspirated thrust!
Even the base version makes 540 bhp and 540 Nm, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and hit the magical 200 km/h mark. But what we drove and recommend is the R8 V10 Plus, which puts out a mind-boggling 610 bhp and 640 Nm of torque, putting it at par with the Lamborghini Huracan. Audi claims this missile of a vehicle will hit 100 km/h from a standstill in just 3.2 seconds, and 200 km/h in just 9.9 seconds. And if given the space, it will keep accelerating till it hits that aerodynamic wall at 330 km/h.
And so to test their claims, we found ourselves an empty stretch and called on the artillery (i.e. launch control). To engage it, we had to switch off some of the electronic chaperons, rev it up to 4,500 rpm with the right foot firmly planted on the accelerator pedal and the left on the brakes. And then dump the brakes! The V10 shoots forward; it accelerates with such ferocity that it rocked our bones out of their sockets. The needle just moves right so fast, it makes the distance between the speedometer markings almost inconsequential. Our timed runs were very close to the claimed numbers and if it wasn't for the hot climate and dusty tarmac, we sure would have equalled their claims. So this then is a proper supercar - a Lambo-equalling Audi!
But let's not forget the 7-speed dual clutch transmission that makes these speedy antics happen. It is the quickest shifting gearbox we have tested. It's so quick in transition, both on upshifts and down shifts, and equals the performance of Porsche's PDK transmission - without some of that low speed jerks, so it is smooth too.
Even during everyday driving, it doesn't punish you like some of its Italian and Japanese rivals. It does let you know when you ride over bumps but not to anyone's annoyance. However, with the ultra-low-profile tyres, expect some tyre roar and jarring over speed breakers.
R8s have always been known for their neutral handling characteristics. The steering has pin-point accuracy and the weightage is great. The car knows what you intend and vice versa; and the quattro all-wheel drive system, with its fully variable torque control that can transfer 100 per cent of the torque to either axle, makes this a tool to take to the track. With a 1,454 kg dry weight, approximately that of a VW Golf R, and with twice its power, you know the hot hatch and likes don't stand a chance.
In our few days with the V10 Plus, we rallied across highways, traffic-stricken city limits and often found ourselves in the middle of a queue to a popular mall and in all that it
averaged around the 15 to 16l/100km mark, which isn't disappointing at all and not too far away from the 12.4 l/100km Audi claim.

FEATURES & FUNCTIONALITY
The practicality this car offers is questionable but, then again, this isn't a practical car. There is a "frunk", i.e. a trunk in the front but don't expect to place anything larger than what your hands can handle in there. If you pull back the seats, there is space to place your bag, backpack or suitcase. In comparison, the Bugatti Veyron and CLK GTR couldn't fit a purse. This, then, is a step up.
But the magic of the R8's functionality is in its infotainment screen and console. It uses a super-fast T30 chip from Audi's cooperation partner, NVIDIA, to deal with the graphics. It allows for all 12.3 inches of the screen to lay out the navigation map and can integrate life-like scenes using Google Earth. To top that, you also can enter destinations and instructions through voice control or just write it down using the hand writing recognition atop the MMI controller. Additionally, the integrated Wi-Fi hotspot allows passengers to connect a smartphone or tablet via the system.
In terms of safety, being the flagship sportscar, it does comes with all the bells and whistles that we mention oh so often. It is also incredible and amusing to see ISOFIX mounts to which you can mount child seats in a car that is 200 mph capable.
Lastly, as for entertainment, you have a 500-watt Bang & Olufsen that belts out good clear music in the loudest decibels. USB ports and Bluetooth did help with connectivity also.

VERDICT
The first-generation Audi R8 was as competent a sportscar as it was clinical. It became the gold standard for many with its accurate chassis dynamics and quality fixtures. The 2016 Audi R8 just improves on all that vastly, and this V10 Plus with its Huracan-equalling power and pace has helped Audi become the supercar it was intended to be. Only one piece of advice, though, if you get one: don't keep it parked in the garage. Take it out and go where the road takes you.
FUN FACT
The R8 LMS race car that Audi uses for 24-hour competitions uses a V10 engine which is virtually identical to the series-production engine and produces upto 576 bhp depending on the restrictions.

SPECIFICATIONS  
Body type: 2-seater; 2-door premium high-performance coupe
Engine: Mid-engine; 5.2-litre V10; all-wheel drive
Transmission: 7-speed S tronic (automated manual)
Peak output: 603 bhp @ 8,250 rpm; 560 Nm @ 6,500 rpm
0 to 100km/h: 3.2 seconds (claimed)
Top speed: 330 km/h (drag limited; claimed)
Price: Starting at Dh629,000
Pros: Rampant as a Lambo; top drawer fit and finish; reasonably priced for a supercar
Cons: Can't fit a suitcase; loss of the characteristic side-blade
Editor's rating: 8.5/10 stars
wknd@khaleejtimes.com

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