The performance pinnacle

If the Audi R8, in any guise, were a person, they’d be one of those really irritating types that are so good at everything. Extraordinary good looks, soaring intelligence and Olympic-standard athleticism. But in the automotive world, that combination is a rare pleasure – a car that does it all so effortlessly and oh so well. Okay sure, if you’re carting a tonne of luggage or you want to bring that massive new flat screen home from the shops, you’re looking at the wrong vehicle. We’re talking about the very pinnacle of high-performance motoring here – that rarified breed called supercars, and in that company, the Audi R8 is, and always has been, a true standout.

Up the really pointy end of the performance spectrum, speed and acceleration times simply can’t accurately convey the sensation or the sound of these cars in action. Yes, the fact that the Audi R8 V10 performance quattro hits 100km/h from standstill in 3.2 seconds is massively impressive, but not as impressive as sitting inside it when it does and hearing the magnificent V10 roaring right behind you.

Likewise a top speed of 330km/h is impossible to fully appreciate, but everyone can agree that we’re talking serious, out of the ordinary performance. But the R8 cars are not impressive just because they’re incredibly fast. To look just at their speed would be to ignore the whole package that has made the R8 a standout even in supercar territory since it first appeared on the world stage in 2007.

Originally released as a V8, the R8 has sported a normally-aspirated V10 since its second generation and it is this magnificent powerplant that continues to provide the soundtrack to this day. Visually the R8 has evolved but the original design first seen as the Le Mans quattro concept study in 2003, still underpins the modern styling. The new R8 has much sharper features though, particularly around the front end where the creases and angles around the air intakes and the front grille treatment are quite distinctive. The small air intakes between the top of the grille and the bonnet lip are reminiscent of the brand’s fire breathing rally cars and the addition of LED headlights and taillights as well as laser light both add to the aggressive look and the obvious practicality of lights that illuminate the road half a kilometre ahead.

Big 20-inch wheels are standard and fill out the bulging guards nicely, and for those wanting to visually differentiate between the two models, the most obvious thing at a glance is the performance quattro has a fixed rear deck spoiler.

New to series production, the R8 V10 RWD Coupé ($295,000*) joins the sublime quattro all-wheel drive version – the R8 V10 performance quattro Coupé ($395,000) – which is the fastest production car Audi has ever produced. 

Previously, a rear-wheel variant was made available as a limited edition model, but such was the appeal that the RWD now becomes a permanent part of the production.

Both models are also available as a Spyder depending on your personal preference (R8 Spyder RWD $316,500* and R8 Spyder performance quattro $416,500*) but the performance remains top shelf regardless – albeit with different tune and output for the different drivetrains.

In the R8 V10 RWD the 5.2-litre FSI V10 develops a massive 397kW of power and 540Nm of torque, while the R8 V10 performance quattro ups those figures to an incredible 449kW and 560Nm of torque, which, as mentioned, makes it the brand’s fastest ever series production car. Point them down the road and from stop the RWD hits 100km/h in 3.7 seconds (add an extra 0.1 second for the drop-top) while the performance quattro hits the mark in the aforementioned 3.2 seconds (again add 0.1 seconds for the Spyder). Top speed for the RWD is an electronically-governed 280km/h while the performance quattro goes on to 330km/h.

This is very, very fast, but because the R8 is so low slung and wide, and the fact that the V10 is mid-mounted, the whole dynamic package becomes so much more than just fast in a straight line. It’s also very light (1595kg) thanks to the Audi Space Frame (ASF) construction and incredibly strong, all of which greatly enhances handling and balance to an enormous degree.

Sitting in the cockpit – which is the best way to describe the interior – 100km/h arrives in less time than it takes to draw a deep breath.

Both models use a seven-speed S tronic transmission and race developed suspension, while the performance quattro also gets Audi magnetic ride suspension and the ride can be adjusted using the Audi Drive select. The performance quattro also has a race button on the steering wheel that effectively opens up a further three drive/suspension/steering modes to suit specific driving conditions. 

Braking obviously matches the performance, with eight-piston callipers on 365mm discs at the front end of the RWD and four-piston on 356mm discs on the ‘business end’. The R8 performance quattro gets larger 30mm front discs in carbon ceramic with six-piston callipers and four-piston, 356mm on the rear. Owners can opt to go with different colour finishes for the callipers, but the important thing is that the brakes offer world stopping performance and the confidence that comes with that in cars this quick is invaluable.

Race car fast, extraordinary levels of grip and balance and yet there’s nothing stripped down or compromised when it comes to the ride, comfort or the way they are appointed. Form-hugging, fully-electric R8 sports seats beautifully upholstered in rich Nappa leather, which extends over the expansive dash and door trims. 

You really sit ‘in’ the R8, but the visibility is good so that driving in traffic is not an issue.

The interior is certainly minimalist and functional, with no extraneous equipment on show, yet it is superbly finished and boasts all of the ‘goodies’ of a luxury car. There's Audi’s MMI Navigation plus system and virtual cockpit, wireless phone charging and what supercar would be complete without a 550W Bang & Olufsen sound system? Track performance on tap, but there’s just nothing stripped down for the track about it.

Even the luggage situation is surprisingly good, with room under the bonnet for a suitcase with three days worth of gear and an additional bag full of computer equipment with room to spare. 

Then this isn’t a car you’re going to take camping or transport the family in. As comfortable and composed as it is in traffic and just cruising around town, it absolutely lights up on the right roads.  Here it takes on a whole new persona that would take someone really skilled to fully explore. I’m not that person, but thew sound of that V10 howling away rocketing out of bends or just dabbing the accelerator to overtake never gets tired. 

Hell, your heart speeds up a little just hitting the starter button on the wheel and hearing that V10 burst into life – and try not to smile when you do it.

There just doesn’t seem to be a limit to what the R8 can do, aside from of course the speed limit. 

But while the sheer speed and incredible acceleration is hard to comprehend, it is the all encompassing ability of the R8 that is so impressive. A car that shares more than 50 percent of its parts with its hugely successful race car sibling, the R8 LMS GT3, yet is as comfortable and easy to drive as any other luxury car. There’s nothing highly strung about this supercar and you don’t have to be a race driver to really enjoy what it has to offer – although there’s no doubt that to get anywhere near its limits, a race track and some serious skill are the way to go. 

The R8 just feels sorted and unruffled in any situation and the instantaneous power delivery needs to be experienced to be fully appreciated.

Learn more about the Audi R8 models at audi.com.au

(*Manufacturer List Pricing [MLP] – excludes dealer delivery and government statutory charges)