2017 Audi R8 V10 Review

Driven: 2017 Audi R8 V10 Review

Here is the first drive review of the 2017 Audi R8 V10 during an Audi range test day.

What is the 2017 Audi R8 V10 all About?

It seems like a lot of time has passed since Audi released its massively successful mid-engine R8 V8 supercar back in 2006. Now in 2017, we have a much more mature and a lot more powerful Audi R8 V10. The car is an extremely well-refined performance car that will shakedown pretty much most supercars.

Audi R8 V10 above

A 5.2 litre V10 engine powers the car, creating a whopping 540 PS and 540 Nm of torque. This goes through the super fast 7-speed dual clutch S tronic gear box to all 4 wheels. This means the supercar can get from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and will do a top speed of 198 mph. Believe me, everything in this car feels like a breeze.

How Does it Drive?

Getting straight to the point the R8 will go from 0 – 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph. With performance stats like this, I thought the super Audi would be very intimidating to drive on the road. After just a short period in the car, I felt happy with handling the full force of the V10 engine. The Audi was reasonably less dramatic than expected and well behaved on the dry roads, apart from the theatrical ear-damaging pops and blips from the huge tailpipes. The 4 wheel drive Quattro system provides more than ample amounts of mechanical grip. This keeps the power nicely distributed when pushing the car towards its physical limits.

Audi R8 V10

Following the car’s sheer power, the most impressive component that makes the R8 so special is the 7-speed S tronic dual clutch gearbox. Using both an inner and outer clutch, the R8 is able to preselect the next gear before you even touch the shift paddles. Without doubt, the gearshift is one of the fastest I have ever experienced and feels impossibly instant. I found myself purposely testing out the gearbox, trying to force the car to make a bad shift, but the gearbox is solid as a rock. The S tronic gearbox really unlocks the potential of the R8 V10. It allows you to nail every upshift and perfectly rev-match on the down shift. It is unbelievably brilliant!

Audi R8 V10

The Audi provides an excellent challenge for the experienced driver. The engine power, handling dynamics and braking ability are so perfectly tuned that the driver can always push considerably harder, learning to master how to get the most from the car.

Audi R8 V10 wheel

The Engine

The engine is a Lamborghini-derived 5.2 litre V10 naturally aspirated 540 PS engine, with a 7-speed dual clutch S tronic paddle shift gearbox. Being a Quattro, it benefits from Audi’s 4 wheel drive system. There is a mechanical limited slip diff at the rear and a viscous coupling differential at the front. The Quattro system will never put any more than 30% torque to the front wheels, which gives the car a fantastic rear wheel drive feel.

What is it like inside?

Inside the Audi R8 the setup is completely focused on the driver. The controls in the central dashboard are very minimal with only 3 heating controls. Underneath those there are a few essential buttons. It’s a very plain and effective design.

Audi R8 V10 steering wheel

The dashboard instruments have been completely digitised. It allows Audi to place information on the dashboard instead of centrally. This display looks good and works well.

The Experience

The R8 is more subtle than most in the market by design, but still attracts a lot of attention. And for all the right reasons; it isn’t brightly painted, it doesn’t have go faster stripes on it, and its doors don’t open upwards.

Audi R8 V10

The Audi R8 looks professional; it looks primed and it looks respectfully aggressive. The Audi certainly still has a road presence; people react positively being in the company of the R8 V10. They point, take pictures and desperately peer in looking to see who is driving the supercar. The car has the complete package, the looks, the performance, and the presence.

Verdict

Audi considers the R8 V10 to be the lightweight, track-focused, ultimate representation of Audi performance. However, the car still comes with various choices of Nappa leather, a Bang and Olufsen sound system, climate control, rear parking cameras, and mobile phone integration. It is astonishing that a car this fast is able to meet the expectations of a modern high-end luxury car as well. It is a perfect balance.

Audi R8 V10

Being honest, you can practically feel the paint on the roads through the track targeted suspension, there are only two seats inside and enough storage space under the bonnet for about 3 and a half shopping bags, but who cares! The R8 is a properly fast, everyday useable supercar and it will still work just as well in the wet weather because of that impressive 4 wheel drive system. I’m sold; I would love to own this car! Somehow Audi managed to give the R8 V10 an addictive element, so even when you have been shaken about driving around the side roads, and you’ve pulled your eye balls out their sockets using those sharp, biting brakes, you still want to get back into the R8 V10 and do mile after mile.

Audi has created a very special well thought out, well implemented supercar for the modern driver. The competition should rightfully be scared of this car. With most manufacturers moving towards smaller engine configurations and using forced induction, this V10 Audi could be one of the last of its type. There may be a time we look back at the 20167R8 V10 as a perfect, forever treasured supercar.

Video Highlights

Specification

2017 Audi R8 V10 Review

  • Price: £119,500
  • Engine: 5.2-Litre v10
  • Power: 540 PS
  • Torque: 540Nm
  • Transmission: Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Auto, Four-Wheel Drive
  • 0-62mph: 3.5 Seconds
  • Top speed: 198 mph
  • Weight: 1,487 kg
  • Economy combined: 22mpg
  • CO2: 229 g/km

Author: Paul Hadley