Lock up your daughters - it's Audi's R8 V10

Audi is going for broke with the new V10 version of its R8 sports car -- if you reckon zero to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, and a top speed of 316km/h are, in a real sense, genuinely going for broke.

Hell, that's nowhere near as rapid as the Bugatti Veyron, neither in terms of zero to 100km/h (2.5 seconds), nor top speed (407km/h).

Then again, you can at least buy the Audi here. And, even if it's tagged at what will undoubtedly be well past $300,000 in Australia (the current V8 auto is tagged at $293,085), it will be well short of the Bugatti's sticker price, which equates to something approaching two million dollars. Once again, if you could buy one.

Whatever, there's as much chance of it snowing in hell as being embarrassed in your V10 Audi R8 on Australian roads.

The direct injection V10 engine, which is already familiar in the Audi S8 and S6, displaces 5.2 litres and, in the R8, pumps out a normally aspirated 386kW, along with a significant 530Nm of torque. The S8 and S6 produce 331kW and 320kW respectively, while the V8 R8 produces 309kW and 430Nm.

Where the V10 R8 really picks up the advantage is on the scales: at 1620kg it is only 31kg more than the V8 version, which makes for a quite healthy power-weight ratio of 4.2kg/kW.

In R tronic form, the V10 R8 consumes fuel at an average rate of 13/7l/100km.

The V10's raw power is put through to all four wheels via Audi's quattro all-wheel-drive system and a choice of six-speed manual or sequential R tronic transmission.

The V10 R8 also gets an upgraded braking system with eight-pot calipers at the front and four-pot at the rear. The discs are ventilated and perforated for maximum cooling. A ceramic brake setup is optionally available.

The V10 grips the road with standard, exclusive 19-inch alloy wheels with tyres measuring 235/35 at the front and 295/30 at the rear, while Audi's clever magnetic ride system adapts quickly and without electronics to the nature of the road.

The V10 can be picked visually via touches such as standard all-LED headlights -- a world first -- more accentuated side blades behind the doors, modified side sills, and altered rear air outlets with only two cross braces.

Inside, the V10 gets Nappa seat leather, satellite navigation, deluxe air-conditioning and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

As well as holding as much as 100 litres of luggage in the front compartment, the R8, Audi says, is also capable of carrying two golf bags.

And you're more likely to see an R8 V10 parked outside your local golf club than a Bugatti Veyron.

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