R8 Drivers Republic roadtest R8 V10
- Thread starter Heyhuub
- Start date
The Audi R8 is a mid-engine, 2-seater sports car, which uses Audi's trademark quattro permanent all-wheel drive system. It was introduced by the German car manufacturer Audi AG in 2006. Production ended in the first quarter of 2024. Production: June 2006 – March 2024
(45,949 Units), Model years: 2007–2024
martinbo
Staff member
Yes, thanks for the heads up.
It's a great read everyone, try and make a point of checking it out because this, thus far, is the definitive review of the Audi R8 V10. [It's Bovingdon of course...]
This is surely Audi's crowning glory and yet, in true understated Audi style, it slips in beneath the radar with people bemoaning outright laptime disappointment and a lack of true supercar drama. You simply must take a look at the R8's unbelievable oversteer poise (this'll shut those "oh but it's AWD" ignorants up) in the videos.
If I had the money, this would probably be my first choice. And that astonishes me!
There's a fabulous battle brewing between this and Merc's forthcoming SLS.
It's a great read everyone, try and make a point of checking it out because this, thus far, is the definitive review of the Audi R8 V10. [It's Bovingdon of course...]
This is surely Audi's crowning glory and yet, in true understated Audi style, it slips in beneath the radar with people bemoaning outright laptime disappointment and a lack of true supercar drama. You simply must take a look at the R8's unbelievable oversteer poise (this'll shut those "oh but it's AWD" ignorants up) in the videos.
If I had the money, this would probably be my first choice. And that astonishes me!
There's a fabulous battle brewing between this and Merc's forthcoming SLS.
Centurion
Subscriber
There you have it, internet journalism at it's best. Drivers-Republic has, in a very short time frame, gained a worthy reputation of becoming one of the Godfathers of auto journalism along with SportAuto and their decent off course - Evo.
As always a colourful and well written report. It was be said that they are first to shine a positive light on the R8 V10 unlike previous reviews which suggest that the car have gained power but lost its tip-toe ballerina spirit possessed by the V8 version. From what I've gathered from the review, it's a car that tick all boxes and does everything well and has serious supercar acumens. Terrific car I'd say. And is does an undeniably good job of filling the appetite for slightly more tamed supercars. When the day is coming to an end and the sun is setting, what it boils down to is the type of personality you're looking for.
The GT-R, R8 and 911 Turbo are in the bracket of four wheel drive people heroes bolted to the road, and come with blistering performance coupled with everyday usability. In terms of use they are highly versatile and splendid trade up from any GT owning enthusiast ready for more action. On the far right of the scale are the mavericks, the GT3, Scuderia and LP560. When someone say supercar, these are the cars that come to mind. They drive wild, sound wild and look wild. Although the R8 V10 is an excellent car it is doubtable that it offer the exhilarating and heart ripping experience of thoroughbred sportscar developed to blow you away. But then again a Scuderia isn't exactly what you would use for driving to work unlike the R8 which I occasionally see in parking lots comfortable mingling with common men's cars like the Mondeo, Golf and Range Rover. In a nutshell I would describe the R8 V10 as a mid-engined 911 Turbo.
As always a colourful and well written report. It was be said that they are first to shine a positive light on the R8 V10 unlike previous reviews which suggest that the car have gained power but lost its tip-toe ballerina spirit possessed by the V8 version. From what I've gathered from the review, it's a car that tick all boxes and does everything well and has serious supercar acumens. Terrific car I'd say. And is does an undeniably good job of filling the appetite for slightly more tamed supercars. When the day is coming to an end and the sun is setting, what it boils down to is the type of personality you're looking for.
The GT-R, R8 and 911 Turbo are in the bracket of four wheel drive people heroes bolted to the road, and come with blistering performance coupled with everyday usability. In terms of use they are highly versatile and splendid trade up from any GT owning enthusiast ready for more action. On the far right of the scale are the mavericks, the GT3, Scuderia and LP560. When someone say supercar, these are the cars that come to mind. They drive wild, sound wild and look wild. Although the R8 V10 is an excellent car it is doubtable that it offer the exhilarating and heart ripping experience of thoroughbred sportscar developed to blow you away. But then again a Scuderia isn't exactly what you would use for driving to work unlike the R8 which I occasionally see in parking lots comfortable mingling with common men's cars like the Mondeo, Golf and Range Rover. In a nutshell I would describe the R8 V10 as a mid-engined 911 Turbo.
martinbo
Staff member
Did you view the vids Luw? If that isn't exhilarating enough then a Scuderia and GT3 shan't be either!
The fact that the R8 manages to meld such deft controllability, power and ease-of-use is a testament to how much of a completely engineered thoroughbred this is in its own right. 8700 rpm? Pretty darn exhilarating for me thank you! Manual gearbox? Perfect - maximum level of driver involvement. General comfort and ease of use? Unmatched for a mid-engined supercar.
I'd say the R8 V10 is very very thoroughly engineered.
Centurion
Subscriber
Did you view the vids Luw? If that isn't exhilarating enough then a Scuderia and GT3 shan't be either!
The fact that the R8 manages to meld such deft controllability, power and ease-of-use is a testament
I did watch the videos to but the letters in bold highlights my point. No doubt the car would easily rock my world but the controllability and ease-of-use is what sets it apart from the near ear-drum shredding exhaust note of a Scuderia. Danger is feared but also appreciated and at time people are actively seeking an experience that's bananas and near out of control. It's a case of Scarlett Johanson vs Megan Fox, both competent girlfriends but one is more adventurous than the other. But nonetheless the R8 V10 is a magnificent car and will certainly not end up as a trophy car spending most of it's days in the garage. I'm confident that owners will put considerate milage on it, and the more milage the better IMO. And off course, all of that is curtsey of ease of use. This may well be the first mid-engined spaceship with everyday drive ability.
And here is a short video footage of what raw and brutal exhiliration is:
Now that the mile stone of fitting a ten cylinder engine in front of the rear axle has been reached, what is the next step? Unlike the LP560 and other Italian exotics, the R8 isn't very future proof when it comes to performance. We've already seen in comparisons that the R8 V8 is done and dusted in the performance category and that the V10 version isn't exactly blowing all other cars off the road. Will there be a facelift which by the V8 version gets the engine that will power the RS5? Or will there not be a facelift given that the V10 has some slight cosmetic differences? What would give the car a majestic bump in performance is a dual clutch transmission.
martinbo
Staff member
LOL - Luw, that's about the worst video case for the 430 Scuderia I've ever seen made! 
You could do exactly the same thing in an R8 V10 - except without the drama - which is where I think you're going with this.
There's no doubting that the Scuderia and GT3 are the hardest of the hardcore and they pick up their skirts nicely with the requisite amount of emotion. But, at the same time, a Scuderia can become tiresome - a little too much after that blisteringly fast track day.
The message from the Audi R8 V10 isn't about out-and-out laptimes, or making the biggest possible amount of noise down an urban road (what a peanut) it's about allround competence because somedays you really just don't need to make a fuss. Rather, just get on with it.
You could do exactly the same thing in an R8 V10 - except without the drama - which is where I think you're going with this.
There's no doubting that the Scuderia and GT3 are the hardest of the hardcore and they pick up their skirts nicely with the requisite amount of emotion. But, at the same time, a Scuderia can become tiresome - a little too much after that blisteringly fast track day.
The message from the Audi R8 V10 isn't about out-and-out laptimes, or making the biggest possible amount of noise down an urban road (what a peanut) it's about allround competence because somedays you really just don't need to make a fuss. Rather, just get on with it.
Sunny
Premium
Lol, trust an MB fan to like the right car for the wrong reason.
Anyway, I am happy to read a good review of the R8 V10 (can we just all it R10?). I think the first page in the article nails it, lot of journalists these days are probably jaded cause of giant killers like the GTR and GT3. Also all the other tests I think uses the dated R-tronic transmission which could be the other reason the car didn't exactly leave a sterling impression. And yea, he four wheel drift videos are stunning.
Anyway, I am happy to read a good review of the R8 V10 (can we just all it R10?). I think the first page in the article nails it, lot of journalists these days are probably jaded cause of giant killers like the GTR and GT3. Also all the other tests I think uses the dated R-tronic transmission which could be the other reason the car didn't exactly leave a sterling impression. And yea, he four wheel drift videos are stunning.
Centurion
Subscriber
Not necessarily. Some might seek a slightly less filtered and tamed experienced. And no, the sound of Scuderia isn't the only reason why I like it. My point was somehow misinterpreted, but never mind I'm off to eat my dramatic curry & salmon dinner
martinbo
Staff member
Maybe your point was misinterpreted because it was made in the worst possible way:
- Showing an F430 Scud in the exact opposite of its preferred use and environment. All it did was make that owner look like a to$$er.
- The whole point dear readers that Bovingdon was making is that the R8 V10 doesn't need to be all shouty and dramatic about what's going down on the road beneath it. It simply provides the requisite feedback in a subtle, delicate fashion - a sort of calmness that gives the driver supreme control and confidence. Near telepathic could we say?
The R8 V10 slips under the radar once again - misinterpreted in its own right - and denied the status it deserves as one of Germany's truly sensational supercar achievements. Well, at least DR gave it 10/10 - a superlative score.
The price in SA is perceived as high - R 2,000,000! But I swear, if I had a budget of 2 bar, I'd be walking into an Audi centre to place my order. A Scud would cost double that down here.
- Showing an F430 Scud in the exact opposite of its preferred use and environment. All it did was make that owner look like a to$$er.
- The whole point dear readers that Bovingdon was making is that the R8 V10 doesn't need to be all shouty and dramatic about what's going down on the road beneath it. It simply provides the requisite feedback in a subtle, delicate fashion - a sort of calmness that gives the driver supreme control and confidence. Near telepathic could we say?
The R8 V10 slips under the radar once again - misinterpreted in its own right - and denied the status it deserves as one of Germany's truly sensational supercar achievements. Well, at least DR gave it 10/10 - a superlative score.
The price in SA is perceived as high - R 2,000,000! But I swear, if I had a budget of 2 bar, I'd be walking into an Audi centre to place my order. A Scud would cost double that down here.
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Audi AG is a German automotive manufacturer of luxury vehicles
headquartered in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany. A subsidiary of the
Volkswagen Group, the company’s origins date back to the early 20th
century and the initial enterprises (Horch and the Audiwerke) founded
by engineer August Horch (1868–1951). Two other manufacturers (DKW
and Wanderer) also contributed to the foundation of Auto Union in 1932.
The modern Audi era began in the 1960s, when Volkswagen acquired Auto
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