Audi celebrates 10 years of V10 R8s with Decennium
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 1st Mar 2019
AUDI has celebrated the 10th anniversary of its 5.2-litre aspirated V10 engine with the release of the R8 V10 Decennium, a special-edition variant that will be built in just 222 examples.
The limited-run R8 Decennium features a number of unique design highlights, as well as the highest level of tune for the eponymous V10 mill.
Offered solely in coupe guise, the R8 Decennium is immediately identifiable by its matte Daytona Grey paint with matte bronze highlights on the engine intake manifold and 20-inch alloy wheels.
Gloss black highlights are applied to the front spoiler, side sills and diffuser, as well as the four rings logos front and rear, V10 badges on the sides, and the R8 badging.
Gloss carbon-fibre is applied to the side blades and exterior mirror housings, rounding out the unique exterior features of the Decennium.
Inside, the cabin is finished entirely in black with gloss carbon-fibre inlays, while the diamond-quilted sports seats are finished with contrast copper stitching.
The gear selector and steering wheel are upholstered in Alcantara fabric and also feature contrast copper stitching, as do the centre armrest, door armrest and door rail.
Decennium logos are emblazoned on the centre console, doors, and inlays in the gloss carbon-fibre door sill trim, while the badge on the centre console is finished in a partially matte material.
A door light also projects the Decennium logo on the ground, for those still unclear on which version of R8 is presented.
The mid-engined supercar retains the 5.2-litre aspirated V10 heart that it is celebrating, tuned to output the same amount as in the recently updated R8 V10 Plus quattro – namely 456kW/580Nm – propelling the Decennium from standstill to 100km/h in 3.1 seconds, and on to a top speed of 331kW.
First appearing in 2009, the V10 engine was used in the first-generation Audi R8 where it outputted 386kW, and through changes over the years including intake manifold fuel injection and other enhancements, saw the high-revving engine arrive where it is today.
Able to redline at 8700rpm, the V10 engine is also found in sister company Lamborghini’s Huracan coupe, where it is capable of punching out an even more impressive 470kW/600Nm.
GoAuto has contacted Audi Australia to discern whether any of the 222 examples will be coming Down Under.
In 2018 Audi sold 42 examples of the R8, down 32.3 per cent over the 62 it managed in 2017.
A facelifted version is set to touch down in Australia in the fourth quarter.
