Fastest production Audi tops R8 update

Audi’s fastest ever production car headlines the latest update to the R8 sports car line-up in Australia.

At $408,200, the R8 V10 Plus is also the second most expensive Audi ever sold in Australia and at 404kW, the third most powerful.

Just for the record, its limited-edition GT predecessor was both more expensive and powerful (412kW and $470,700), while the previous generation ‘4F’ RS 6 was the most powerful of all at 426kW. All three use derivatives of the same Lamborghini-sourced V10 engine.

But nothing Audi has ever built outdoes the Plus for straight-line speed, as it accelerates to 100km/h in 3.5 seconds -- 0.1 quicker than the GT and the latest version of the ‘standard’ 386kW R8 V10 coupe.

The Plus is only available as a coupe, crowning the otherwise familiar line-up of R8 4.2-litre V8 coupe and Spyder and 5.2-litre V10 coupe and Spyder.

Audi Australia predicts the Plus could command almost 50 per cent of total R8 demand in Australia, which over the last few years has equated to about 50 cars per annum.

It believes the standard R8 V10 will be the main sales loser to the Plus, even though it is more than $40,000 cheaper at $366,900.

Across the range all R8s benefit from the introduction of a new seven-speed ‘S tronic’ dual-clutch gearbox, replacing the old six-speed ‘R tronic’ robotised manual, which was widely condemned as the only serious technical flaw for an otherwise highly regarded sports car.

Audi claims standard sprint times have improved by 0.3 seconds courtesy of S tronic, while fuel consumption has been reduced by as much as 0.9L/100km.

The fundamentals of the rest of the quattro GmbH-designed and built R8 - platform basics sourced from Audi daughter company Lamborghini’s Gallardo including aluminium space-frame chassis, quattro permanent all-wheel drive, mid-mounted engine and two-seat interior - remain familiar.

Audi is even claiming better value for the updated R8 as the S tronic comes in at the same price as the old R tronic, while equipment levels are boosted (see below for a full pricing chart). However, the six-speed manual transmission is no longer available with the V10 models. Audi expects few manual V8s to be sold either, especially as the price rises by $8500.

All R8s get a new single-frame grille with tapered corners, a redesigned diffuser, huge tailpipes and ‘dynamic’ LED tail-lights in which the light moves from the inside out.

The V8s add LED headlights and fine Nappa leather trim, while new V10 equipment includes ‘extended’ Nappa leather (which covers the dashboard), headlining in Alcantara and piano-black interior trim.

The R8 V10 Plus has its own 19-inch wheel design and trims,  ceramic brakes, carbon-fibre for various exterior parts including the signature side-blade, a unique diffuser made from carbon-fibre-reinforced polymer and light-weight bucket seats with heating (power adjust is a no cost option).

However, its double wishbone suspension misses out on the magnetic ride control dampers that are standard across the rest of the range. Instead, it gets a more focussed single tune.

You can also option a ‘Sepang blue’ matte paint for the Plus at a mere $11,540. Any model in the range can get a diamond-quilted leather interior for $16,775. Ceramic brakes are $23,650 extra.

The Plus gains its 18kW power boost and 10Nm (to 540Nm) torque increase courtesy of modified engine management. A 50kg weight reduction compared to the standard V10 coupe to 1595kg also boosts performance.

Apart from its standard-setting 0-100km/h time, the Plus also accelerates past 200km/h in 11.3 seconds, reaches a top speed of 317km/h and averages 12.9L/100km with CO2 emissions of 299 g/km.

By comparison, the standard V10 coupe with S tronic accelerates from 0-100km.h in 3.6 seconds, reaches a top speed of 314km/h, averages 13.1L/100km and emits 305g/km of CO2. The V10 Spyder’s figures are 3.8 seconds, 311km/h, 13.3L/100km/h and 310g/km CO2.

Fitted with S tronic, the V8 coupe – which has unchanged 316kW/430Nm outputs – accelerates to 100km/h in 4.3 seconds (4.6 manual), reaches a top speed of 300km/h (302), averages 12.4L/100km (14.2) and emits 289g/km of CO2 (332). The Spyder’s figures are 4.5 seconds (4.8), 300km/h (300), 12.6L/100km/h (14.4) and 294g/km.

2013 Audi R8 pricing (plus on-road costs):
R8 Coupe 4.2 FSI V8 manual 316kW - $279,500
R8 Coupe 4.2 FSI V8 S tronic 316kW - $287,000
R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI V8 manual 316kW - $308,400
R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI V8 S tronic 316kW - $315,900
R8 Coupe 5.2 FSI V10 S tronic 386kW - $366,900
R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI V10 S tronic 386kW - $395,800
R8 Coupe 5.2 FSI V10 Plus S tronic 404kW - $408,200