R8 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 First Drive

[Merc1]

A 518-hp V10 Makes the R8 Magnificent

Since it first appeared as the Le Mans Quattro Concept at the Frankfurt auto show way back in September 2003, the Audi R8 has lived up to its hype and then some. But now we finally get to have a go at the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 — the version of the R8 that we have always been waiting for, really.

Does it bother us one bit that this R8 with a V10 is just a longer and curvier Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4? Oh, yeah, sure, that really bothers us. Are you nuts?

We have driven this thundering, all-aluminum, all-wheel-drive

518-horsepower Porsche-stalker with immense pleasure over the likewise immensely pleasurable seaside hills of southern Spain. Audi has been telling us that the R8 would become a glorious combination of German practicality and Italian exuberance, and this drive in the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI Quattro shows us that the Bavarian company has delivered on this promise beyond our wildest expectations.

There's a reason why the 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10's signature color is white, the traditional color of Germany in motorsports. This is more than just a fast car; it's a statement about Germany, about Audi. All that stuff about engineering with spiritual purpose? The hundreds and hundreds (and hundreds) of millions of dollars Audi has spent racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the last decade?

Here is where it has led us.


Full Story: Edmunds Inside Line - 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 First Drive


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[Sunny]

Probably my favorite car right now.

 

[martinbo]

Probably my favorite car right now.

Funny that - me too! I actually like it more than the 997 GT3 Mk2. Strewth, who'd've thought... Heresy.

 

[Tarek]

Easily on my fav top five right now

 

[Zafiro]

This is what the SL65 BS should have been - handle and a driver's car like the R8 is.

 

[martinbo]

To be fair to the SL65 BS, it is what it is... the ultimate SL variant. It was never intended to be supercar slayer a la LP640 or what not. Rather it is simply the ultimate expression of Mercedes Benz performance to be had on public roads. The basic foundation of the car (a peerless, luxury, dual-natured grand tourer) indicated that the SL65 was never going to be an out-and-out supercar.

The Audi R8 on the other hand, well now, despite its complete lack of supercar heritage or extrovertness, surprised all and sundry who've ever driven it. With hindsight it's quite easy to say that brand preconception overrode the recognition -based on common sense - of a purposely engineered optimum layout, but it did. People saw four rings and thought "it's another Audi". I'm telling you: I did at least.

But now, if you look at what the Audi is and how it's engineered, there should be no reason to doubt its superlative capability. In my opinion, the R8 range of sporting cars are the best value for money (proper) supercars money can buy.

 

[Zafiro]

SL65 BS have the look like its going to slaughter any roadcar on the street, too bad the exterior dont match the rest of the car. R8 look badass too but it delivers more for less money.

 

[martinbo]

SL65 BS have the look like its going to slaughter any roadcar on the street, too bad the exterior dont match the rest of the car. R8 look badass too but it delivers more for less money.

Sure, but in a straightline or travelling on a freeway - it probably will slaughter pretty much anything no?

I mean, I'd hate to be driving my R8 V10 manual on the open freeway and have the SL65 BS come monstering down the road at me. In that situation I don't think many cars this side of a Veyron would have a chance? What do you think?

 

[Zafiro]

Sure, but in a straightline or travelling on a freeway - it probably will slaughter pretty much anything no?

I mean, I'd hate to be driving my R8 V10 manual on the open freeway and have the SL65 BS come monstering down the road at me. In that situation I don't think many cars this side of a Veyron would have a chance? What do you think?

But thats not my vision of a sportscar.

If I want something for freeway driving then SL65 or SL63 are better, probably better comfort as well.

and me in R8 V10 and a SL65 BS and other people for that matters, those two meeting on the freeway is very slim and it has never been a problem for me that there are faster cars than mine.
In that price league there are other tasty sportscar that I would spend my money on like LP640 or 599 GTB. No, I'm simply not a customer for Mercedes.

 

[Tarek]

This is what the SL65 BS should have been - handle and a driver's car like the R8 is.

Well MB has a different way of doin cars than the rest of the Germans

SL65 BS have the look like its going to slaughter any roadcar on the street, too bad the exterior dont match the rest of the car. R8 look badass too but it delivers more for less money.

Well,track aside which urself said it was irrelevant in real world,the SL65 black is gonna slaughter anything on the road Veyron excluded.

The only place where a hardcore Italian or German supercar to beat the SL65 BS is the tarck i can only imagine how tiny that possibility really is in real world.

Sure, but in a straightline or travelling on a freeway - it probably will slaughter pretty much anything no?

I mean, I'd hate to be driving my R8 V10 manual on the open freeway and have the SL65 BS come monstering down the road at me. In that situation I don't think many cars this side of a Veyron would have a chance? What do you think?

So true,the R8 V10 is definitely the better track car but out of the track the SL65 BS simply owns'em all,imagine storming the autobahn in a Black machine..that's how MB makes it's performance cars,to rule Germany's roads.

 

[Zafiro]

I pity the fools buying a car based on straightline speed. If its a problem for you that someone out there is faster than you, then take the bus or the train
Seeing SL65 BS on the freeway is going to be extremly rare sight, you'll be lucky if you see one.. I find the Veryon comparison irrelevant and if you think I'm going to fall for the smooth straightline speed talk, then you are the wrong guy to discuss this with .

 

[Tarek]

No, I'm simply not a customer for Mercedes.

...and u can't afford to..

I pity the fools buying a car based on straightline speed. If its a problem for you that someone out there is faster than you, then take the bus or the train
Seeing SL65 BS on the freeway is going to be extremly rare sight, you'll be lucky if you see one.. I find the Veryon comparison irrelevant.

Well if meeting the SL65 on the autobahn which is the most common sight for hyper powered cars in Germany is rare then where the hell u'll meet one? the track? funny thing coz the track is far more scarce to meet the SL65 BS and even if u do u must be one hell of a driver to be able to pass it on a track

 

[Zafiro]

...and u can't afford to..



Well if meeting the SL65 on the autobahn which is the most common sight for hyper powered cars in Germany is rare then where the hell u'll meet one? the track? funny thing coz the track is far more scarce to meet the SL65 BS and even if u do u must be one hell of a driver to be able to pass it on a track

No, neither the track or the freeway will happen very often. its you talking about the track here, I haven't even mention it. So learn to read my mind, I judge the car as overall package and as overall package there are other cars out there I rather be driving in. Cars are about emotions and passion and the SL65 do not move me like R8 V10 for instance.
But give me a SL65 BS for free and I will gladly trade it for M3 E90 and LP560


PS yesterday I met a black Gallardo on the freeway and he was probably driving +200km/h. Swoooosch it said

 

[Tarek]

No, neither the track or the freeway will happen very often. its you talking about the track here, I haven't even mention it. So learn to read my mind, I judge the car as overall package and as overall package there are other cars out there I rather be driving in. Cars are about emotions and passion and the SL65 do not move me like R8 V10 for instance.
But give me a SL65 BS for free and I will gladly trade it for M3 E90 and LP560


PS yesterday I met a black Gallardo on the freeway and he was probably driving +200km/h. Swoooosch it said

Well what do u expect wehn through in there a hardcore track supercars? of course we are gonna assume what u said but it's cool

 

[Zafiro]

If you read reviews about R8 it does not only get praise for it track abilities. Its darn good and normal roads as well and the comfort is not that bad. Its not exactly a M3 CSL or GT3 RS we talking about here.

Closest I have getting the R8 is sitting in the car and the seats are very nice and comfortable. If my memory is correct the seats in SL65 BS are bucket seats, at least european version?

 

[martinbo]

But thats not my vision of a sportscar.

It's not mine either - but let's be honest it's not like you and I are the sportscar visionaries that Merc is targetting!

If I want something for freeway driving then SL65 or SL63 are better, probably better comfort as well.

and me in R8 V10 and a SL65 BS and other people for that matters, those two meeting on the freeway is very slim and it has never been a problem for me that there are faster cars than mine.
In that price league there are other tasty sportscar that I would spend my money on like LP640 or 599 GTB. No, I'm simply not a customer for Mercedes.

Of course the chances are slim, but imagine if you will that all the SL65 BS are already spoken for [I think that's the case - can anyone clarify?] and they've gone to real Merc enthusiasts - like very wealthy Wimmers... In exactly the way that you're more focussed on other aspects of the driving experience, they're focussed on pure unadulterated, massive muscle. And the SL65 AMG delivers that in spades - you have to concede.

Make no mistake, even if I had a 100 million Euro's in the bank, I would never never ever never ever ever (phew!) buy an SL65 AMG BS. I'd spend my money elsewhere. But then I'm not a true Mercedes Benz fan despite my long time appreciation for the brand. I'd so buy an Audi R8 V10 mind you!

Nevertheless, you gotta hand it to a car like the SL65 AMG BS. Nothing quite says "your mother" and gets on with the job of going really quickly like it does.

 

[Tarek]

If you read reviews about R8 it does not only get praise for it track abilities. Its darn good and normal roads as well and the comfort is not that bad. Its not exactly a M3 CSL or GT3 RS we talking about here.

Closest I have getting the R8 is sitting in the car and the seats are very nice and comfortable. If my memory is correct the seats in SL65 BS are bucket seats, at least european version?

Same thing u can easily say about the SL black,of course it's gonna be more comfy than supercar out there plus it'll also be good enough on the track unless u are Schumi behind the wheel and even him is gonna be impressed by the power,661bhp and 1000nm simply impressive on the track by any one's standards.

 

[Tarek]

Make no mistake, even if I had a 100 million Euro's in the bank, I would never never ever never ever ever (phew!) buy an SL65 AMG BS.

Oh come on now,even me if i had that sum lying around i'd even but something like a ummmmm....BMW

 

[Sayyaaf]

well let me join this interesting conversation, to me a great track car is a safe car too. I mean I learned to consider good handling as safety. If you can change lanes fast without the car spinning then there is a huge chance you'll survive. Mainly being sporty isn't an optional thing to me right now.

So yes I'd agree with Andreas here, the SL65 BS is very rare, very attractive but I'd have to drive it first to judge, steering feedback/sharpness is a must in my car.

 

[Tarek]

well let me join this interesting conversation, to me a great track car is a safe car too. I mean I learned to consider good handling as safety. If you can change lanes fast without the car spinning then there is a huge chance you'll survive. Mainly being sporty isn't an optional thing to me right now.

So yes I'd agree with Andreas here, the SL65 BS is very rare, very attractive but I'd have to drive it first to judge, steering feedback/sharpness is a must in my car.

Of course which also applies to any kind of cars,and given u are satisfied with a SUV then i have no doubt that the steering of SL65 BS or a V10 R8 are gonna deliver