2017 Audi R8 V10+ Review
Car Tested: 2017 Audi R8 V10+; Road Test No. 820
Price OTR Mumbai: Rs. 3.40 crores
The Audi R8 has stupendous performance making it a thoroughly lovable supercar
With the recent trend of downsizing and turbocharging that manufacturers are following, naturally aspirated cars are becoming a rarer breed and it is natural for car enthusiasts to get excited when they get to drive an NA car. The Audi R8 has now entered in its second generation and while the first generation was available with V8 and V10 engines, the new one only gets a V10 engine for India and it is offered in the top spec V10+ trim.
Motor Quest: The first generation Audi R8 was a successful supercar and it fetched some really good sales for Audi worldwide, including the Indian market. The new R8 has also been received well and it maintains its sharp dynamics and offers tons of fun.
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The design now gets sharper elements
Exteriors – What we are sampling here is the new generation Audi R8 which gets way too many changes and enhancements on the outside. However, Audi has maintained the stance and shape of the R8 and thus this car looks more like a thoroughly revised version. What I totally love about the car is the sharp styling with striking lines that makes the vehicle look fast even while it is still. The body is lightweight thanks to the Audi Space Frame structure. The R8 is very low and looks super wide, giving it brilliant presence on the road. Styling elements like the honeycomb grille, LED headlamps, striking tail lights, rear bumper diffuser, carbon fibre panels and the appealing alloy wheels combine to make the R8 look spectacular and the kind of attention it attracts on the roads is overwhelming.
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The cabin of the Audi R8 has a cockpit-like feel
Interiors – This being a supercar, the interior is a bit on the compact side. The seats are low slung and can be adjusted only for height. The large flat-bottomed steering has a ton of buttons and it feels great to hold. The centre console gets the gear knob and the MMI control knob. You do not get any screen on the dashboard but you do get a brilliant Virtual Cockpit which also provides functions for navigation, music, vehicle settings and obviously the instrument cluster. The AC vents on the dashboard have a sporty design but what’s worth noting is that the vents on either sides of the dashboard are actually placed on the doors and not on the dashboard like other cars.
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Storage spaces are on the lesser side, luggage capacity limited too
Bucket seats means you don’t get full adjustment options, they are very supportive though
The ergonomic layout is one of the best I’ve seen and the placement of controls and buttons is within easy reach of the hand. Outward visibility is a bit limited due to the shape, dimensions and small glass area but the cameras do a good job in assisting while parking. The AC is a decent performer but nothing extraordinary. The sound from the audio system is awesome but we preferred listening to the soundtrack from the V10 engine. The seats might have limited adjustment but they are very supportive and hug you from the sides. Since the engine is mounted at the rear, you get some free space in the ‘bonnet’ (112-litres) which is just enough for a couple of small carry bags since it also has the spare wheel. Even on the inside, storage spaces are very limited and there are hardly any cubbyholes in the cabin.
