Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi R8 V10 Plus

We drive the range-topping 543bhp Audi R8 V10 Plus, which rockets from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Audi R8
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The Audi R8 has aged well and a raft of minor cosmetic changes inside and out keeps it looking fresh. The range has also been boosted by the introduction of a slick seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox and a more powerful and lighter V10 Plus model, which trades a minor reduction in comfort for a slightly more focused driving experience. For most of the people most of the time, the V10 Spyder is our choice though, thanks to its better all-round ability.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Audi has revised its R8 supercar and added a new flagship model to the range. The V10 Plus has 25bhp more than the standard V10, taking total power from its 5.2-litre engine to 543bhp. Plus, thanks to extensive use of carbon fibre, the newcomer is a useful 50kg lighter than the standard R8.

Factor in an all-new seven-speed S tronic automatic gearbox, which includes launch control, plus grippy quattro all-wheel drive, and you have a car that can rocket from 0-62mph in just 3.5 seconds, regardless of the skill of the person at the wheel.

If you want to make drag races more of a challenge, the V10 Plus is also available with the R8's open-gated manual box. Choose this and you’ll save almost £3,000, although in the end you'll probably end up paying more than this in replacement clutches. The manual car is also two-tenths of a second slower from 0-62mph and emits more CO2.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

A-Class Saloon

2023 Mercedes

A-Class Saloon

65,054 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £16,000
View A-Class Saloon
Model 3

2023 Tesla

Model 3

51,750 milesAutomaticElectric

Cash £19,000
View Model 3
A-Class

2021 Mercedes

A-Class

21,807 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £19,800
View A-Class
GLA

2023 Mercedes

GLA

37,691 milesAutomaticPetrol1.3L

Cash £26,800
View GLA

The new automatic is such a massive improvement on the single-clutch robotised manual R tronic in the previous R8 that it’ll be the gearbox of choice for all but the most die-hard driving fans. Admittedly, it's not quite as smooth as a normal torque converter box in fully auto mode, but it's not far off. And in manual mode, unlike some other dual-clutch systems, it really does give you full control via the gearlever or steering wheel paddles, which are now larger than before.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The box won't suddenly slip back into automatic mode unless you tell it to, it’ll let you bounce the engine off its rev limiter if you don't shift up in time and it can skip gears to ensure you’re always in the most appropriate ratio – handy when changing down under hard braking.

And in the V10 Plus, you can brake harder and for longer than in the normal car, as it gets fade-resistant carbon ceramic brakes as standard. This peace of mind allows you to really make the most of the chassis upgrades Audi has carried out but for everyday driving we found them far too grabby compared to the standard brakes. Instead of the V10’s standard magnetic ride adaptive dampers, the V10 Plus comes with fixed-rate lowered and stiffened sports suspension for tighter body control. Just be warned: this does make the car less comfortable on bumpy roads. If you're after an every day car, a standard R8 V10 is the pick for you. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

The V10 Plus also has a more aggressive geometry for the front wheels. This provides sharper initial steering response, which is easy to spot, although once again there is a trade-off, this time in the form of marginally less mild high-speed stability. Thankfully, this isn’t so easy to spot.

Advertisement - Article continues below

In fact, when we tested the car at the Misano circuit in Italy, it was just as easy to drive as any R8, but just that little bit quicker. It's still an idiot-proof supercar that will also reward expert drivers. Thanks to its rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system – which can only ever send a maximum of 30 per cent of the engine's power to the front – and a stability control set-up that can be fully disengaged, the R8 V10 Plus can behave like a total hooligan if you want it to.

The styling also ensures this car is no shrinking violet. The R8 has always been quite ostentatious, but optional metallic blue matt paint and a raft of design tweaks turn up the heat further. As well as the enhancements to the standard R8 – which include redesigned front and rear bumpers incorporating full LED lights – the V10 Plus gets blistered side-blades in carbon fibre. The wing mirrors, front splitter and rear diffuser are all made from carbon fibre, too, as are the backs of the lightweight leather bucket seats, which grip you tight but aren't quite as cosseting as the standard seats.

But do all these upgrades really justify the Plus's £12,000 premium over the standard V10? The answer is yes – so long as you don't mind sacrificing a bit of comfort and every day usability to own what is the ultimate R8... for now at least.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,495Avg. savings £2,028 off RRP*Used from £12,500
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,510 off RRP*Used from £11,695
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,115 off RRP*Used from £14,400
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,255Avg. savings £1,848 off RRP*Used from £7,250
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots
Opinion - Kia

Kia is returning to its 'Keeping It Affordable' roots

Mike Rutherford thinks new cars are simply too expensive, but some manufacturers are starting to do something about it
Opinion
19 May 2025
Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy
Best electric cars header

Best electric cars 2025: the top 10 best EVs you can buy

Thinking about making the switch to an electric vehicle? Here are the EVs that should be on your shortlist, and why…
Best cars & vans
14 May 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper
Renault 5 - front full width

Car Deal of the Day: Sacre bleu! The Renault 5 keeps getting cheaper

The modern-day Super Cinq comes with a super price. It’s our Deal of the Day for 14 May
News
14 May 2025