2015 Audi R8 V10 Plus Prototype First Ride: More Scintillating Than Ever But Just As Accessible As Before!

Don’t be fooled by the familiar looks of the new Audi R8. It might, even by the acknowledgement of Audi head of research and development Ulrich Hackenberg, appear a lot like a facelifted version of the first-generation model launched in 2006. But the truth is that everything about the second-generation model has changed in one way or the other.

That even includes the philosophy behind how Audi will position the launch line-up to reflect a more performance-led approach this time around, offering the R8 exclusively with a heavily revised version of its naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 in combination with a standard seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox from the start of UK sales.

If there is one statistic that immediately sums up the advances made to Ingolstadt’s four-wheel-drive performance flagship, it is the deeply impressive 0-62mph time claimed for the new top-of-the-line R8 V10 Plus: 3.2sec. That’s 0.3sec faster than its predecessor and it makes this the fastest-accelerating road car that Audi has placed into series production.

We will know a lot more when we actually get to drive the new coupé later in the year, but for now, after a day riding shotgun in a prototype around the Ascari circuit in Spain, it is safe to conclude that the new R8 moves the game along, not only in pure performance terms but also in terms of its on-the-limit dynamics.

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TheSteve - 2/18/2015 12:40:29 AM

+1 Boost

Post's subject: "...just as accessible as before..."

Really? If you visit the Audi web site today, the V10 variant of the R8 is a sizeable chunk of coin more than the V8. If the new R8 is available "exclusively with a...V10" (as the article states), does that mean prices will drop to where the V8 sits today? I suspect not, which means the higher price tag will make it LESS accessible than it is today. Not more.

Note that the "just as accessible" statement is only part of this posting's subject. The article itself does not make this claim.

runninglogan1 - 2/18/2015 1:20:55 AM

+2 Boost

Accessible refers to it's handling limits - not it's price.

pcar4evr - 2/18/2015 1:57:06 AM

+1 Boost

I owned a V10 Plus and a 991 Turbo S. Glad to hear that Audi focused significant attention on improving the Audi's handling and overall "on-the-limit" dynamics because they were not nearly as good as the Porsche's.

I dumped both of them for a Cayman GTS with a manual transmission, which I enjoy more than either of them. Twice the fun for half the money (and plenty of acceleration for the NJ roads where I live).