New car news

10 December 2008 - 12:40

Top ten

Last week, we saw Audi’s V10-powered R8 racer, and now we’ve got all the details on the road-going version.

In short, it sounds astonishing. Take a look at these numbers: a 5.2-litre V10 (sharing plenty with the Lamborghini Gallardo, on which more later) putting out 518bhp and 390lb ft of torque.

That’s good for a 0-60mph time of just 3.9 seconds (the V8-powered R8 manages it in 4.6 seconds), a run to 124mph in just 12 seconds and a top speed of 196mph, making it the fastest road-going Audi ever.

Impressively, it weighs just 31kg more than the V8-flavoured R8, so the handling shouldn’t be compromised: Audi’s magnetic ride comes as standard, and there are double wishbones all round.

It’ll be distinguishable from the V8 Audi by the all-LED headlights – a world first – bigger sideblades and a new rear diffuser.

So you’ll probably want to know the price. Well, it’s bad, but not too bad: £100,000 before you start adding options. That’s the best part of 50 grand cheaper than the V10-powered Lambo Gallardo, which is, admittedly, just a bit quicker and more powerful.

So which one would you go for? Gallardo or V10 R8? Both? Good choice…