1 Jun 2016
For the second-generation of Audi's first supercar, the German car-maker ditched the V8-powered R8 and persevered with only the 5.2-litre V10 mounted midship and bolted to a dual-clutch automatic transmission. Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system was standard across the range.
The 2016 version was offered in both V10 and V10 Plus variants and with a zero to 100km/h acceleration time of just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 330km/h for the latter, and was Audi's fastest production model to date. V10 versions cracked 100km/h in 3.5s and a v-max of 320km/h.
Lightweight construction including a carbon-fibre and aluminium passenger cell stripped weight to 1454kg.
At its launch, Audi lauded the R8 as its closest connection to racing and a rich motorsport heritage, with half of the road car's components common with the factory-built R8 LMS GT3 racer.
