Audi R8 Launch Event in Abu Dhabi

Audi Middle East held an exclusive event for the launch of the Audi R8 and the Audi Sport Brand (read more about the launch event here) in Abu Dhabi. Let’s look at the Audi R8 in detail. Since there was only the V10 Plus present at the event, we will be talking about that.

Overview of the Audi R8

The new Audi R8 is entirely new and shares a lot of its parts with its sister vehicle, the LMS (approximately 50% of parts are the same). Key features of the R8 include:

• New performance mode with three drive settings: dry, wet, and snow.
• A dry weight of 1,454 kg.
• Integration of the new Audi virtual cockpit, which is the best instrument cluster seen in ages.

You might also be interested in: Audi Sport Brand in detail

Engine Specifications

The new R8 launches in two engine versions:

1. 5.2 liter V10 producing 540 BHP.
2. R8 V10 Plus producing 610 hp.

This makes it the most powerful and fastest production Audi ever built. Both engines are mated to a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox and an all-wheel-drive system, resulting in impressive acceleration:

• 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds.
• 0 to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds.
• Top speed of 330 km/h in the V10 Plus.

Driving Experience

I got my first hands-on experience of the new Audi R8 at the Yas Marina Circuit. The course involved an initial trial run of three laps, allowing the driver to understand the vehicle's dynamics, especially the gearbox. Key observations include:

• Long pressing the paddles achieves the highest and lowest gears at a particular speed.
• The coasting function works perfectly when driving smoothly.

Following the trial run, there was a fast lap session that was both aggressive and thrilling. While the car performed well most of the time, a bit of understeer was felt in the corners, which is common with AWD vehicles. Despite this, the roaring sound of the marvelous V10 engine was captivating. Overall, the first impressions of the new R8 are satisfying, providing a fun experience around the track without sacrificing comfort.

Click here for the Audi R8 car buying guide.

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