Within the same-same exterior design, which nonetheless still packs as much road presence as a Ferrari and probably more than a 911, there’s an all-new mid-engined platform that combines an aluminium space-frame chassis and a central carbon-fibre monocoque.

The alloy accounts for 79 per cent and the carbon around 13 per cent. Together, the structure weighs just 200kg – 10kg less than before – yet it’s claimed to be 40 per cent stronger. Weight distribution is 42/58 per cent front/rear and sending the power to the road is Audi’s latest quattro all-wheel drive system which can deliver up to 100 per cent of torque to either axle.

There’s also a passive rear limited-slip diff, which delivers up to 45 per cent locking action under acceleration and up to 25 per cent under deceleration.

Total vehicle weight stays under 1500kg dry, or 1670kg for the base V10 and 1630kg for the V10 plus according to the EU standard (including a 75kg driver and 90 per cent fuel load).


The standard R8 5.2 FSI V10 quattro Coupe is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10 – Audi’s last remaining naturally aspirated engine. It delivers 397kW at 8250rpm and 540Nm at 6500rpm (up 11kW and 10Nm).
Aided by direct and indirect fuel-injection and cylinder-shutdown technology for the first time, it averages fuel consumption of 11.4L/100km and can accelerate the base R8 to 100km/h in a claimed 3.5sec on its way to a 320km/h top speed.

The hotter R8 plus delivers 449kW and 560Nm at the same revs (up 45kW and 30Nm), consumes 12.3L/100km and hits 100km/h in 3.2sec and a 330km/h top speed.