Audi’s power of ten

AUDI will release the newly unveiled V10 petrol-engined R8 in Australia by the end of next year.

No pricing details are available yet, although we can expect this car to cost considerably more than the $277,196 and $293,085 Audi charges for the existing six-speed manual and R-Tronic sequential manual 4.2 FSI V8 R8 versions respectively.

In Germany, the Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro is priced from A$278,182 (142,400 Euros).

The Volkswagen luxury marque is also keeping mum on when the long-awaited V10 diesel-powered version will be announced.

The ten-cylinder petrol R8 is powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine featuring chain-driven quad camshafts, a wide cylinder angle of 90 degrees, a high-strength aluminium-alloy cast crankcase, dry sump lubrication and FSI direct fuel-injection, with the common-rail system injecting premium-unleaded petrol into the combustion chambers at up to 120 bar of pressure, according to Audi.

With a displacement of 5204cc, it delivers 386kW of power at a stratospheric 8000rpm and 530Nm of torque at 6500rpm. This compares to the 4.2 V8’s 309kW at 7800rpm and 430Nm at 4500-6000rpm.

Driving all four wheels is a six-speed manual or R-Tronic sequential manual gearbox, as per the 4.2 V8 model.

Audi is proud that the R8 V10’s kerb weight of 1620kg is only 31kg more than its smaller-engined sibling, helping the mid-engined sports car flagship to rip to 100km/h sprint in a claimed 3.9 seconds.

Meanwhile, the R-Tronic V10 is claimed to be capable of hitting 200km/h from standstill in 12 seconds, on its way to a 316km/h top speed.

On the EU combined fuel consumption cycle, the V10 averages 13.7 litres per 100km.

As with the R8 4.2 FSI, the V10 employs Audi’s Torsen differential quattro all-wheel drive running gear, while a 44 per cent front and 56 per cent axle load is described by the Ingolstadt-based firm as ideal.

Dual aluminium front and rear double wishbone suspension, Audi’s magnetic ride control, 380mm ventilated front/356mm ventilated rear disc brakes, and 10-spoke 235/35 front and 295/30 rear wheels and tyres are other R8 V10 technical highlights.

Audi is also offering a ceramic brake system that is said to be especially light at 9kg.

Helping to distinguish the V10 from the regular V8 is a high-gloss black-painted finish for the front air inlets and apron lip two instead of four cross-braces are fitted and the vanes in the grille are finished in chrome.

From the side, the ‘sideblades’ stand out more, the side sills are wider and the exhaust grilles at the rear windows have a matt aluminium look, while the engine that is clearly visible through the back window is marked as a V10 FSI unit.

All-LED headlights are on the standard features list, as are heated leather seats, GPS navigation, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, climate-control air-conditioning, an alarm and a trip computer.

Red rings decorate the instruments and gearshift knob, while the footrests and rocker switches of the R-Tronic gearbox are finished in aluminum.

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