2013-Audi-R8
It’s been 5 long years since Audi bowled everybody over with its mid-engined R8 supercar. this suggests it’s time for a facelift, and that we were invited to the Misano racecourse in Italy to drive it.
This Audi supercar appears to require pride in its economical and direct garb. In fact, it even feels a similar because it did 5 years past, except currently it’s even a lot of technical. for example, there are new full-LED headlights that are currently normal fitment. There’s the new chamfered, hexangular Audi grille additionally the} air intakes also match it. However, the foremost distinctive visual modification is at the rear. The new all-LED tail-lights are extremely putting, and have flip indicators that ‘swipe’ outward once activated. As for the rest of the R8, it’s still very much a similar. therefore the hockey puck appearance sharper currently, however will it drive any sharper?
The powerhouses stay unchanged – there’s a four.2-litre V8, and also the engine within the automobile i used to be driving, the 5.2-litre V10. This Lamborghini-sourced motor develops 518bhp of power and 54kgm of torque. and also the V10 in Spyder type weighs in at 1745kg; yet again, just about just like the previous automobile. All of those figures are constant because the outgoing R8, however after you investigate the acceleration figures, the new automobile is quicker. therefore what specifically is different?
The single biggest modification to the R8 is that the gearbox; the single-clutch robotised manual of previous has been replaced by a dual clutch unit gearbox is Developed specifically for the audi R8, the wet dual clutch unit helps to achieve 0 to 100 kph time down by nearly 0.5 a second, the ton currently coming up in a very claimed 3.8 seconds. and also the high speed is 311kph.
Driving slowly through slim roads close to Misano, it’s simple to forget that this is often a supercar, as a result of it feels therefore civilised and also the gear case shifts swimmingly and quickly. The suspension feels nice and fairly pliant too.
So the facelifted R8 is just about constant because the previous automobile. It continues to be absolutely civil, very precise, even additional economical and simply slightly bit additional exciting.
But that wasn’t the end of the story. There was a lot of excitement looking ahead to us at the Misano track. With the facelift, Audi has launched a replacement ‘Plus’ version of the R8 V10 coupé. It uses ultra-light solid wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes, that alone save 2kg. The front splitter is formed of sunshine carbon fibre, as are the rear diffuser and also the R8’s trademark side blades. It all adds up to shave 50kg off the edge weight of the quality R8 V10. The engine bay is lined with carbon fibre too, which jewel of a motor currently develops 542bhp. meaning it’s finally on par with Lamborghini’s entry-level Gallardo LP550-2. which is extremely excellent news.
Yes, you’ll be able to bet it absolutely and it was exciting too, and with the loads of 4 wheel drive, all that power was place down with ease. The Misano race circuit is kind of slim, and if it wasn’t for the four wheel drive system, I most likely wouldn’t have enjoyed myself even 0.5 the maximum amount. Push hard into a corner and also the R8 V10 plus can slide, however the Quattro system simply kinds things out and keeps you moving. With the esp on, it induces the under steer even if it will only send a most of 30 % of the torque to the front wheels of the car. The new carbon ceramic brakes delivered astounding stopping power, therefore you’ll be able to brake extremely late.
The plus additionally comes with non-adjustable dampers that are set to a sportier setup, that felt excellent for the race track. And as I got a lot of and more used to the automobile, i used to be able to push it more durable, experience the very good grip from the Quattro system and also the huge 19-inch rubber, and also the sheer balance of this mid-engined supercar. I might extremely push it through the long, quick bends and nail the accelerator beginning of the corners. and also the and established that it’s as AN R8, only quicker and additional exciting. But, somehow, it still won’t offer you goosebumps.
If what you wish is simply the best-handling sports automobile you’ll be able to obtain for 0.5 the value of a Ferrari 458, then don’t suppose any longer. The chassis is therefore well thereforerted and also the R8 feels so civilised that you simply will simply use it as AN everyday automobile too. The neutral and fabulous handling causes you to desire a hero at the wheel, but it conjointly leaves you slightly cold at the tip of the day. The R8 has all ingredients of a full-blooded exotic, however it still lacks a number of the mystique of its rivals of Latin origin.
Fact File
Price Range (in lakhs)*
Ex-showroom price Rs 1.6-1.9 crore est.
Engine
Fuel Petrol
Installation longitudinal,Mid, all wheel drive
Type V10, 5204cc, petrol
Power 518bhp at 8000rpm / 542bhp at 8000 rpm (Plus)
Torque 54kgm at 6500rpm / 55kgm at 6500rpm
Transmission
Type all-wheel drive
Gearbox 7-speed dual-clutch auto
Dimensions
Length 4440mm
Width 1904mm / 1929mm (Plus)
Height 1244mm / 1252mm
Wheel base 2650mm
Boot volume 100 litres
Chassis & Body
Weight 1745kg / 1595kg (plus)
Wheels 19-inch alloy
Tyres 235/35ZR19-295/30ZR19
Performance
0-100 3.8 sec / 3.5 sec (plus)
Economy
Tank size 80 litres / 75 litres (plus) (90 optional)