The new Audi R8, and R8 Plus models from the German manufacturer are just simply superb – as we are accustomed, they are quite petite, but pack in a hell of a punch.
Audi’s top of the line supercars are dubbed Audi R8 V10 Plus, and they come with enough power to compete with other road behemoths in a sprint race.
Although they have enough power to compete with the already released Mercedes-AMG, Porsche, and Nissan turbocharged supercars, they fall a little bit behind, because the Audi R8 Plus model comes packed with just 610 horse-power, and it can reach 60 miles per hour in 3.2 seconds.
“ It is inevitable that we (Audi) will go to a turbocharged motor for it (R8) at some point. It doesn’t mean we are not going to do a turbo, but naturally aspirated is here to stay as well.” said Urlich Hackenberg, Chief of Volkswagen’s Research and Development, during last week’s Portugal event.
Both Audi R8 models reach a top speed of 200mph, with the R8 plus model reaching 205mph – there isn’t much of a difference between them, but drivers have witnessed the R8 plus model reaching tops speeds faster. Still, it’s barely noticeable.
While the new Audi R8 is racetrack ready, it’s also viable for everyday life.
The Audi R8 will go on sale next Spring in the United States.
The Audi R8 has been born, and molded by Le Mans. In 2000, when Audi first competed with their prototype, at that time, of an R8, it won the 24 hour race. It followed a 2008 release, and it suddenly became Audi’s first, and popular, supercar.
The German manufacturers’ next generation R8 has been developed using their MSS technology – which is short for Modular Sportscar System, the company’s aluminium spaceframe.
The R8 is build from up to 80 percent more aluminium, because it has MSS, and the carbon fiber also equipped makes it sturdy, and reliable. Rest assured, if you ever get into an accident, you won’t be squashed like a bug on a windshield.
The German manufacturer boasts that they have managed to improve their 5.2-liter V-10 engine, making it less of a fuel hog – 13 percent increase in fuel economy.
Audi’s R8 direct competitors are Huracán and McLaren 650S – also viable for driving like a normal human being on the street, and not only on racetracks.
Unfortunately, Audi will use their own designed clutch, which is expensive as hell. The S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox, which Audi notes that is modern, and faster than anything else on the market, costs about $9,100. Add that to the base price of the Audi R8, and your bank account might just feel like it has been hit by the wrath of a thousand suns.