Audi R8 V10 Plus: Audi's Mk1.5 is the same but better
Audi R8 V10 Plus: Audi's Mk1.5 is the same but better
7:29

Audi R8 V10 Plus: Audi's Mk1.5 is the same but better

Auto Tech
A director's cut is a version of a movie that reflects the director's original intentions released after the first studio version. It's what you get when the director thinks-- "This can be a bit better than it already is." And that's precisely what the new Audi R8 is. It's a director's cut. Launched in 2012, this new R8 has been tweaked, poked and prodded to be better than ever before. And that's a tough job because the take on the R8 was truly brilliant. The V8 Manual is one of the best cars I have ever driven. The look of the original was so different at the time it stood out far enough to make much of the super car aristocracy look a little try hard. It's low front, massive side blades and distinctive rear work all told, pretty brilliant. With this second take, Audi has tweaked that the front gets redesigned LED lamps, the same goes for the rear lamps. And now, the exhaust can come in circular like it used to get on the hard core R8 GT. And also, there's a new model in the line-up. It's called the R8 V10 Plus. Plus-- I like the sound of plus. In this case, Plus means more hardcore. More power and more super car in this, where the astounded V10 gets 525 horses the Plus gets 550 from its Lamborghini to right 5.2 liter V10. That's a big number, which is great because big numbers create very small ones. Sixty-two comes in just 3 and a half seconds. That is a small number as this the MPG with a less said about that, the better really. And also, this thing will do 197 miles an hour, which is great if you have a runway or you live in Germany, otherwise, if you live in the UK like I do, it does get to 70 really rather quickly. The Plus has been massaged under the skin as well. This is [unk] in the Plus has been firmed up, which means your corner is nice and flat in level and thanks to the car's [unk] an all wheel drive system. You can take those corners just a little bit quicker than you would in other super cars. You can take them in speeds that might actually flummox or get other one's out a shape. I feel that something is missing here though. Call me old school. Call me old fashion. Call me a mono, whatever you want. But I do miss a manual gear box. You can't have it on the R8 V10 Plus. And I kinda miss that because it was its open gate click-clack and sort of added to the whole experience and maybe just a little bit more engaging. But, the 7 speed s tronic dual clutch also in this does have its advantages around town. It's very smooth. It's very lovely. It can make the car very quiet and actually a very comfortable cruiser. But, when you press the sport button just down there, well things get really, really noisy. So when you going some, should we say and you break, it'll search through the gears down, down, down make this massive V10 flat, four [unk] of the back scaring everything and everyone around you which is also-- it also cling on to the gears a lot longer which is great because it means you get to hear that awesome 5.2 liter V10 growl. Then you get the acceleration which is just unbelievable. You've see it through the scenery like some kind of a giant German Arrow. It is-- it's unbelievable. You feel all those 550 brake horsepower working as hard as they possibly can. And then, when you do, you need to take some speed off. Well, the Plus does have carbon store on brakes astounded and around town when you just pottering about. They can be a little bit grabby. But when you need them to work, which this speed this thing can do. I'd imagine you definitely will. Oh, boy do they work. You stop pretty quickly. Allow me to demonstrate it. We're going at speed. Now we're not. It really good. You're right. Isn't that absolutely astounding car? I absolutely love it. The way it handles. The way it feels. But there is one tiny criticism to be leverage against it and that's the interior. It is starting to feel just that little bit outdated. I mean, only infotainment system, for example. When it was launched in 2007, it was the jazziest thing in the world. But now, when you get full better tech on [unk] pedestrian Audis. And the switch gear as well. It's just starting to look a little bit long in the tube. That's not to say the interior isn't without its merits. I love the fact that the driver's seat in this sort of carbon fiber arc. Almost there is like, "No, this is your cockpit and this is what you're going to be having on the front. And it does still look good. It's just overtime. I don't think it'll aged spectacularly well. But being an Audi, it won't have a break. The R8's charm was its usability, and thankfully, that's hasn't changed. You can see out of it. It's comfortable though and lesser in Plus spec than the others. The space for things and it looks damn good. Audi's version of a director's cut is a wonderful thing. It's taken in the original fiddle with it and made it just a little bit better than ever before. In 2007, when it first launched, there were moments that Audi was mad to be trying to take home the lights of Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini. Now though, would there be a [unk] to stop.

Up Next

Rolls-Royce Spectre Turns Ultraluxury Electric
Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

Up Next

Rolls-Royce Spectre Turns Ultraluxury Electric

The Czinger 21C Is 3D-Printed and Astonishing
Side view of the Czinger 21C hypercar in motion

The Czinger 21C Is 3D-Printed and Astonishing

Porsche Pushes the 911 to New Extremes With the New GT3 RS
Porsche 911 GT3 RS OGI

Porsche Pushes the 911 to New Extremes With the New GT3 RS

Porsche 911 Turbo S Takes on EVs at Pikes Peak 2022
Porsche 911 Turbo S at Pikes Peak

Porsche 911 Turbo S Takes on EVs at Pikes Peak 2022

Ineos Grenadier Looks Like an Old Defender and Is Equally Robust
ineos-automotive-hambach-launch-2022-512-copy

Ineos Grenadier Looks Like an Old Defender and Is Equally Robust

Morgan Super 3 Refines 3-Wheeled Motoring
morgan-super3

Morgan Super 3 Refines 3-Wheeled Motoring

Aston Martin DBX707 is the most powerful luxury SUV yet
site-tn

Aston Martin DBX707 is the most powerful luxury SUV yet

Audi RS E-Tron GT: An EV we want to drive long distances
audi-rs-etron-gt-still

Audi RS E-Tron GT: An EV we want to drive long distances

The 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT continues to defy convention
porsche-cayenne-turbo-gt

The 2022 Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT continues to defy convention

This classic Porsche 911 is fully electric
everrati-porsche-911

This classic Porsche 911 is fully electric

Tech Shows

The Apple Core
apple-core-w

The Apple Core

Alphabet City
alphabet-city-w

Alphabet City

CNET Top 5
cnet-top-5-w

CNET Top 5

The Daily Charge
dc-site-1color-logo.png

The Daily Charge

What the Future
what-the-future-w

What the Future

Tech Today
tech-today-w

Tech Today

Latest News All latest news

PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
playstation5pro-leak-clean

PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know

Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
nvidiastill

Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference

Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
nvidia-vision-pro-image

Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro

Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
robot-2

Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference

Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
gettyimages-1178244881

Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
playstation-portal-audio-options-thumb2

The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low

Most Popular All most popular

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
innovation

First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
240123-site-samsung-galaxy-s24-ultra-review-4

Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
circlesearchpic

'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
asus-preces-00-00-25-11-still003

Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
samsung-galaxy-ring-clean

Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
240111-site-best-of-ces-2024-1

Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024

Latest Products All latest products

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
240304-site-nothing-phone-2-first-look-v3

First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
240229-site-best-of-show-at-mwc

Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
240225-site-lenovo-translucent-laptop-concept-v3

This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
240225-site-motorola-rollable-concept

Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist

See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
adobe-lightroom-00-02-58-03-still006-1

See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro

This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
p1022441-mp4-15-35-32-23-still001

This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone

Latest How To All how to videos

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
240311-site-windows-11-hidden-tips-and-tricks-v2

Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
VisionOS 1.0.3

Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
240216-site-galaxy-s24-ultra-tips-and-hidden-features-2

Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
tiktok-on-vision-pro-clean

TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
superbowl-tv-settings-thumb1

Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro
240202-site-spatial-computing-on-meta-quest-3

How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro