Sheer Performance

The Audi R8 and RS Q3 are two high performance cars with certain exceptional features. Oommen John P test drives the two new models

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The new Audi R8 is the dynamic vanguard of Audi – no other production car with the four rings is as powerful, fast or distinctive. Though the 5.2-litre V10 seems to be the focal point of the car, there’s much more to the R8 than simply a big engine. From 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, from 0 to 200 km/h, 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 330 km/h, the naturally-aspirated V10 mid-engine with up to 610 hp of power responds instantly to throttle inputs.

“Car racing has been a part of our Audi DNA for many decades,” says Prof Dr Ulrich Hackenberg, Board Member for Technical Development. “Audi stands for automotive dynamism, and this applies very much to our new high-performance R8 sports car. In all technical areas it is extremely close to being a race car. It is the most powerful, fastest and sharpest production Audi ever.”

The new R8 launched in two engine versions – as the R8 V10 plus with 610 hp is the most powerful and fastest production Audi ever built. The 5.2liter V10 enables breathtaking performance, and its hissing, roaring sound is highly emotional. Yet fuel economy has been improved by up to 13 percent in the R8 model series compared to the previous model.

The new Audi R8 V10 plus has a dry weight of just 1,454 kg. This was primarily due to its newly conceptualised Audi Space Frame (ASF) in multi material construction – which consists of aluminum and CFRP parts. The ASF weighs just 200 kg. The entire underbody has a smooth covering, like on a race car, and the air flow exits via a large diffuser. This increases down force. At top speed, this amounts to 40 kg at the front axle and 100 kg at the rear axle. The large

CFRP rear wing also plays an important role in attaining these top figures.