You got to love the new 2017 Audi R8 … with a starting price of $162,900 you get 0-60 in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph. However, the “Plus” edition starts at $189,900, which doesn’t give you much more than the standard version.
“Yes, 610. While the standard R8 V10 twiddles along with 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, the V10 Plus I drove on the track extracts 60 more horses and 15 more pound-feet than before, for a total of 610 hp and 413 lb-ft from its naturally aspirated, 5.2-liter V10.
Let me take a moment to underline those two terms not often heard anymore at new car introductions: “Naturally aspirated” and “V-10.” In an age rampant with forced induction and downsized cylinder counts, this engine stands in exception to modern performance car theory. Yet it’s plenty modern, and yoked to a standard seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch gearbox and all-wheel drive, it’s a wonderfully flexible, characterful power train. Better still, with standard dry-sump lubrication, there’s no issue of oil starvation at the extreme angles and g-forces Daytona forces the car to adopt.”
Source: CNET
