The_CEO_Magazine_ANZ_-_December_2016

We’ve been invited to the local launch of the

Audi R8 V10 plus, and it takes in some of

Australia’s best driving roads, with long, open

straights, tight switchbacks and climbing

sweepers. However, the Snowy Mountains also

brings unpredictable weather, with fog, rain,

sunshine and snow all being possible within a

few hours. We’re thankful, then, for the

all-wheel-drive system that is even quicker to

react than the previous R8. More importantly,

it can vary the torque split, with up to 100 per

cent going to each axle if need be.

Under a clear engine cover behind the cabin

(it’s a mid-mounted motor) you’ll find a

5.2-litre V10, which produces a staggering

449kW and 560Nm. That sonorous V10 has

been given a power boost over the previous

R8’s engine thanks to customer race teams

who had gathered so much data on how well

the V10 held up under pressure, that Audi

needed virtually no R&D on the engine.

And so, where the time has been spent is

creating an all-new chassis and interior. The

passenger cell now combines aluminium and

carbon-fibre reinforced polymer that drops

weight by 10kg but increases torsional

rigidity by a massive 40 per cent. Inside,

there’s leather everywhere, a full-colour

instrumentation screen and voice control

system that understands natural English

phrases. Behind the seats is enough storage

for a few small bags and under the bonnet is

a luggage compartment that will easily

swallow a small suitcase.

Let’s be honest, though — no-one buys an R8

for its storage. Which is why Audi brought us

to brumby country. The roads are open, clear

and almost devoid of traffic. With a few quick

flicks of the left paddle, the car is ready for

action. Right pedal? Meet carpet.

The R8 rockets off from a standstill, hitting

100kmh in just 3.2 seconds. Keep the boot in

and it will hit 200kmh in just under 10

seconds, and carry on till it hits its limit of

330kmh. Being fast is one thing, but being

soulful is something else indeed.

Devoid of forced induction, the V10 has a

distinctive personality, with a warbling howl

that only comes from natural aspiration. It

sings to the mountains that it’s in its happy

place, and at 8,250rpm you’ve hit peak power.

Each pull of the right paddle is met with

instantaneous response; the next ratio is

MOTOR TORQUE

Where the Huracán reaches

understeer, the R8 supplies a

seemingly endless amount of grip.