[Taboleo] More Than Just Running... Audi R8 V10 Performance

'Tony Stark's That Car'... Another Evolution

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] ‘High performance’ and ‘performance’. These words clearly express Audi’s direction. Audi has repeatedly stated its goal to provide driving pleasure to customers through high-output engines and the quattro all-wheel-drive system. The slogan ‘Progress through technology’ also stems from the same background. The model that encapsulates this direction is the R8. First introduced in 2006, the R8 is regarded as a symbol of high-performance and performance vehicles, famously used as Tony Stark’s car in the Iron Man movies. The R8 has evolved further through its second-generation facelift. On the 2nd, at the Audi Driving Experience event held at Inje Speedium in Gangwon Province, we met the star, the ‘R8 V10 Performance.’

-The exterior clearly looks like a sports car. What was your impression when you saw it in person?

▲The first feeling I had upon seeing the R8 was that it was ‘strong and elegant both inside and out, enough to make my heart race.’ As a vehicle with Audi motorsport DNA, the carbon exterior package applied to the front spoiler and rear diffuser, carbon side blades, carbon side mirror covers, carbon engine component cover, and fixed carbon rear wing caught my eye. Especially, the 20-inch 5-double-spoke dynamic design wheels displayed the dignity befitting a high-performance model. On the other hand, the ‘Laser Light LED headlights’ and ‘LED tail lights’ with dynamic turn signals gave a sense of softness.

-Rather than a rough sports car feel, the luxurious interior is popular. How is the interior of the R8?

▲Reflecting the vehicle’s identity, I felt that the R8’s interior exquisitely blends the characteristics of a sports car and a sedan. Paddle shifters and the engine start & stop button are mounted on the steering wheel, and sports seats firmly hold the driver’s body. Audi stated that the R8 model is produced at the B?llinger H?fe factory in Germany, where Audi race cars (GT3, GT4, etc.) are manufactured, so the DNA of Audi race cars is directly embedded.

Feeling the seats and turning my head to look around the interior, I noticed carbon twill inlays, diamond-quilted Nappa leather seats, Alcantara headlining, Nappa leather dashboard, armrests, and door panels, all of which conveyed the materials of a luxury sedan. However, the relatively small storage space was somewhat disappointing.

-How was the driving performance and driving feel?

▲130 bpm (beats per minute). This was the peak heart rate recorded right after finishing the R8’s track driving. Audi provided smartwatches to check heart rates during the event. Considering that a healthy adult male’s bpm is around 60 to 80, my heart rate nearly doubled. Starting the R8 equipped with a 5.2L gasoline direct injection (FSI) engine and slowly moving onto the track, the engine sound was enough to excite the chest.

The R8, equipped with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, boasts a maximum output of 610 horsepower, maximum torque of 57.1 kg·m, and a top speed of 331 km/h. Its zero-to-100 km/h acceleration time is also world-class at 3.1 seconds. When I pressed the accelerator pedal with full force on the straight section of the track, I briefly felt as if my hands on the steering wheel were being pulled forward by the car. However, once exceeding 100 km/h, I felt so comfortable that it was almost an illusion that my body and the car became one, allowing me to enjoy the drive.

-Still, wouldn’t it be scary for an ordinary driver to drive a high-performance sports car like the R8?

▲To conclude, even a reporter unfamiliar with high-performance sports cars was able to drive the R8 smoothly. The Audi permanent all-wheel-drive quattro system, Audi Drive Select, and carbon ceramic brakes are equipped, allowing the driving force to be variably distributed between the rear axles according to the driver’s settings, resulting in minimal shifting and braking shocks during cornering. The R8 features Audi Magnetic Ride for damper adjustment, and the ‘Audi Drive Select’ system adjusts the accelerator pedal, suspension damping, shift timing, steering strength, torque distribution of the quattro system, electronic stability control (ESC), and variable exhaust according to the mode. Especially, modes for wet roads, dry roads, and comfort can be set by the driver according to the environment, enabling safe driving enjoyment.

-Wouldn’t sports car models lack convenience features? Also, what about the price configuration?

▲The most disappointing aspect while driving the R8 on the track was that it was difficult to fully enjoy convenience features. Nevertheless, after sitting in the car and examining it thoroughly, I confirmed that the driver is quite well considered.

As a high-performance model, the R8 comes standard with various advanced Audi features. The front and rear parking assist system, which measures the distance between the vehicle and objects on the driving path using ultrasonic sensors, and the rearview camera enable convenient parking. Additionally, the 12.3-inch Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation Plus, and MMI Touch Response provide an optimal environment for the driver to intuitively control all vehicle-related information. The Audi smartphone interface also allows direct use of the driver’s smartphone content.

However, unlike regular vehicles, the R8 lacks an infotainment system on the center fascia, and it does not include a head-up display (HUD) or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), which could be considered drawbacks. The R8 is offered in a single trim, priced at 257.57 million KRW (including VAT, based on the reduced individual consumption tax rate).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.