The boss says we journalists aren't allowed to use obscene words when writing reviews-- so this story is going to be a doozy to complete.
It’s about the Audi R8 5.2.
Apparently, Audi thought the standard R8’s 4.2 litre engine was a good start. This 420 horsepower V8 is a screamer, and it gets the aluminum coupe rolling in a very serious hurry. It’s more than powerful enough for anyone who values their driver’s license-- but apparently, some nut-jobs wanted even more sauce.
A new animal
Audi answered their call with a newly-available 5.2 litre V10. This engine cranks horsepower up to a supercar-worthy 525, and spews even more gut-wrenching sound effects from the tailpipes. Redline is bumped 500 revs beyond that of the V8, to a furious 8,500.
Yes folks-- this machine is a very big deal. Everything Audi’s learned about going fast, winning races, and building stunning-looking machinery is here in masses.
Discreet visual upgrades
The R8 V10 gives away its identity with several visual upgrades. There’s a ‘V10’ badge on each fender, the quad-pipe exhaust tips are replaced by two big ovals, and the vented surfaces on both bumpers are opened up. The R8’s trademark side-blades are widened in the name of increased airflow into the engine compartment, too.
Like the V8, the V10 engine is proudly displayed under a glass cover like a trophy. R8 nuts will notice the longer and beefier-looking intake manifold on top of it.
The tester also got unique wheels and benefited from an exclusive all-LED headlight cluster. This emits bright blue light like a more conventional xenon setup, though illumination comes solely from 3 tiny LED bulbs that don’t get hot or burn out.
Inside, the higher-reading tachometer gets a red ring around it, as does the 350km/h speedo. Other than a few bits of cosmetic dress-up, R8s are functionally the same regardless of the selected engine.
It’s about the Audi R8 5.2.
 |
| The 5.2 is somewhat less forgiving and somewhat more of an animal when drivers get brave. |
Apparently, Audi thought the standard R8’s 4.2 litre engine was a good start. This 420 horsepower V8 is a screamer, and it gets the aluminum coupe rolling in a very serious hurry. It’s more than powerful enough for anyone who values their driver’s license-- but apparently, some nut-jobs wanted even more sauce.
A new animal
Audi answered their call with a newly-available 5.2 litre V10. This engine cranks horsepower up to a supercar-worthy 525, and spews even more gut-wrenching sound effects from the tailpipes. Redline is bumped 500 revs beyond that of the V8, to a furious 8,500.
Yes folks-- this machine is a very big deal. Everything Audi’s learned about going fast, winning races, and building stunning-looking machinery is here in masses.
Discreet visual upgrades
The R8 V10 gives away its identity with several visual upgrades. There’s a ‘V10’ badge on each fender, the quad-pipe exhaust tips are replaced by two big ovals, and the vented surfaces on both bumpers are opened up. The R8’s trademark side-blades are widened in the name of increased airflow into the engine compartment, too.
Like the V8, the V10 engine is proudly displayed under a glass cover like a trophy. R8 nuts will notice the longer and beefier-looking intake manifold on top of it.
The tester also got unique wheels and benefited from an exclusive all-LED headlight cluster. This emits bright blue light like a more conventional xenon setup, though illumination comes solely from 3 tiny LED bulbs that don’t get hot or burn out.
Inside, the higher-reading tachometer gets a red ring around it, as does the 350km/h speedo. Other than a few bits of cosmetic dress-up, R8s are functionally the same regardless of the selected engine.
 |
| This engine cranks horsepower up to a supercar-worthy 525. |