Audi Middle East held an exclusive event for the launch of the Audi R8 and the Audi Sport Brand (you can 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.
This R8 is entirely new and shares a lot of its parts with its sister (around 50% parts are same) LMS vehicle. There is a new performance mode that offers three new drive modes i.e. dry, wet and snow. The new Audi R8 V10 plus has a dry weight of 1,454 kg. Moreover, it incorporates the new Audi virtual cockpit which is the best instrument cluster I have seen in ages.
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The new R8 launches in two engine versions: a 5.2 liter V10 producing 540 BHP and the R8 V10 plus producing 610 hp. This makes it the most powerful and fastest production Audi ever built. Both these engines are mated to a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox and all-wheel-drive system. This results in acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h in 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h in the V10 Plus.
I got my first hands-on experience of the new Audi R8 at the Yas Marina Circuit. The course involved the initial trial run of 3 laps making the driver understand the vehicles dynamics – specially the gearbox where you long press the paddles to achieve the highest as well lowest gears at a particular speed. Also, the coasting function works perfectly when driving smoothly. After that, there was the fast lap session which was aggressive and thrilling at the same time. The car did function well most of the time, but I did feel a bit of understeer in the corners. This is usually common with AWD vehicles so one shouldn’t be surprised. I was too busy listening to the roaring sound of that marvelous V10 engine. Though, the power seemed too civilized as compared to its cousin – the Lamborghini Huracan. Overall, it is a fun thing to push hard around the track without getting uncomfortable to drive. So, first impressions of the new R8 are satisfying.
Click here for the Audi R8 car buying guide.
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