2010 Audi R8 Review

2010 Audi R8 - Sizzling.

By: Dan Jedlicka

The wild-looking Audi R8 4.2 FSI sports car had sizzling acceleration when introduced for 2008 with a 420-horsepower 4.2-liter V-8. But the 2010 model is even faster with availability of a Lamborghini 5.2-liter 525-horsepower V-10 in the new R8 5.2 FSI version.

The low-slung R8 two-seater is aptly named after Audi's Le Mans winning race car and is the automaker's top model. Its slightly detuned Lamborghini V-10 makes it very competitive with Maserati and Porsche models, not to mention the much-costlier Ferrari. Both R8 direct-injection (FSI)engines are normally aspirated, which means they don't need turbochargers or superchargers to help them produce lots of power.

The mid-engine R8 with either the V-8 or V-10 is a head-turner, with its stunning, original styling. It has a functional, race-car look. For instance, prominent "side blades" behind the front doors aren't seen on other cars. They house engine-bay air scoops because the car's engines have a great appetite for air.

Visually distinguishing the R8 5.2 FSI from the R8 4.2 FSI are high-gloss black air inlet grilles, spoiler lip and rear air outlet grilles--besides a high-gloss black single frame grille with vertical and horizontal chrome slats, flared side blades and rocker panels, enlarged rear diffuser, large oval exhaust pipes and a specific instrument cluster, gear knob and door handles.

There's an advanced air-intake cooling system via front, underbody and side air intake flow. Advanced aerodynamics include a full flat underbody with front and rear diffusers and an automatic deployable rear spoiler with vent for the engine compartment.

However, the aerodynamics require a very low front end, which can be damaged if the car's driver isn't careful when moving near high objects such as tall curbs.

Here's a nifty touch: Both the R8's V-8 and V-10 engines are under a transparent cover.

You don't see many R8s because Audi keeps the car exclusive. Only 20 are hand-built daily with extremely high quality For instance, laser cameras help assure precise body fits.

The R8 has an innovative aluminum space frame that results in light weight and very high strength and torsional rigidity. Its magnetic ride adaptive damping system provides a comfortable ride in "sport" or "normal" modes, although you can feel bumps less in "normal" mode. I thought "sport" mode would make the car uncomfortable to drive off a smooth track, but that wasn't the case.

The R8 5.2 was a picture of serenity when I drove it hard at the tricky Infinon Raceway north of San Francisco in the Napa Valley during a media preview of the car. I also drove it hard on public secondary roads and highways. Its speed and agility were especially helpful during a long drive when I was late to catch a plane at the San Francisco airport after the preview.

Driving to the airport involved crawling through heavy downtown San Francisco traffic on my way to the airport, but the R8 5.2 was amazingly docile in that situation for a 196-mph car that does 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds and 0-100 mph in 7.9 seconds with either its six-speed manual gearbox or computer-controlled clutchless automated six-speed manual transmission.

Merging and high-speed passing and cruising are virtually effortless.

The R8 5.2 is almost too quiet for such a rakish number during normal driving. All the better, I suppose, to listen to the standard Bang & Olufsen 465W 12-speaker sound system uniquely designed for R8 models. (It's optional for the R8 4.2). However, the engine emits a ferocious sound when the accelerator pedal is floored.

The well-equipped R8 5.2 is no fuel miser in the city, partly because it's rather heavy, despite aluminum construction. It weighs 3,605 pounds with the manual transmission and 3,616 pounds with the automated manual, which Audi calls the "R tronic." Estimated fuel economy is 12 mpg in the city and 19 on highways with the manual and 13 and 18 with the R tronic. Still, a fairly large gas tank doesn't let the fuel gauge needle move too quickly.

I preferred the R8 5.2's standard manual gearbox because it has a shifter that works easily in a nifty shift gate, although it's hooked to a long-throw (but light) clutch. And the clutchless automated manual changes gears by itself abruptly for the sake of maximum efficiency.

I'm no fan of paddle shifters, which are used to manually shift the R8's automated manual transmission. Audi says a good number of R8 buyers want the standard manual gearbox, which makes the car more fun to drive and allows a better relationship with the V-10 engine.

Ordering the manual also saves an R8 5.2 buyer a wad of money because the car costs $146,000 with the manual and $155,100 with the automated manual.

Those who opt for the R8 4.2 with the V-8 pay considerably less--$114,200 for that version with the six-manual and $123,300 with the automated manual gearbox. The R8 4.2 is fast enough for many folks, although there is no denying the lure of the V-10.

The R8 5.2's steering is quick but somewhat heavy and a bit numb. Handling with the mid-engine layout, highly developed suspension and Audi's advanced all-wheel-drive system is sensational.

The powerful brakes work fine during high-speed track driving, although some may feel that the firm brake pedal is overly sensitive during normal driving. I soon became used to it, though, during street driving.

The ultra-low R8 is a 'drop-in"-"climb out" car, but long, light doors assist entry and exit. The car provides a comfortable driving position in highly supportive seats in the posh, roomy, colorful interior, which has easily worked controls and gauges that can be quickly read.

However, sun visors are small and don't swivel to the side. There are over-the-shoulder blind spots, but outside rearview mirrors are large. The windshield is huge, and the cowl is low for excellent forward visibility.

One drawback is that there is scant cargo room. Figure on putting just a few soft luggage pieces in the small, but usefully shaped, forward luggage compartment and, say, several small duffle bags in netting behind the seats.

The standard navigation system with voice prompts was easy to set and provided flawless direction finding. Otherwise, with all the different roads encountered, I never would have reached the San Francisco airport in time to board my plane.

The R8 5.2 also has the world's first standard full LED headlight assembly (optional for the R8 4.2). It's impossible to see the car's front or rear ends, so the Audi Parking System--front and rear with a rearview camera (also optional for the 4.2) comes in handy.

Audi feels it has been unfairly overlooked, with many potential buyers of its cars opting for a BMW or Mercedes-Benz. But it's doing well despite a depressed car market. The R8 4.2 helped give it a prestige boost and the R8 5.2 should attract even more prospective buyers to the Audi brand.

Visit DanJedlicka.com where veteran auto writer Dan Jedlicka reviews the latest cars and trucks in an easily understood but detailed manner. In addition, Dan's Web site also includes colorful classic and collectible car articles, a letters column and candid interviews with auto-field personalities.

Dan Jedlicka

Dan Jedlicka's Website

Dan Jedlicka joined the Chicago Sun-Times in February 1968 as a business news reporter and was named auto editor later that year. He has reviewed more than 4,000 new vehicles for the Sun-Times--far more than any newspaper auto writer in the country. Jedlicka also reviewed vehicles for Microsoft Corp.'s MSN Autos Internet site from January, 1996, to June, 2008.

Jedlicka remained auto editor at the Sun-Times until October, 2008, and continued writing for the newspaper's AutoTimes section, which he started in 1992, until February, 2009. While continuing his auto writings at the Sun-Times, he served as assistant financial editor of that newspaper from 1970 to 1973, when he began his automotive column.

He has appeared on numerous radio and television shows, including NBC's "Today," ABC's "20/20" and "The CBS Evening News." He was a host, consultant and writer for Fox-TV Channel 32's 1991 New Car Preview show and that Chicago-based station's 1992, 1993, 1994 and 1995 Chicago Auto Show Previews.

Jedlicka's auto articles have been printed in national magazines, including Esquire and Harper's. His auto columns have been reprinted in U.S. government publications and economic textbooks and he is profiled in the "World's Greatest Auto Show" history book about the Chicago Auto Show. In late 1975, Jedlicka was host and technical advisor for three one-hour television specials, "Auto Test 76," which aired nationally on PBS and were the first nationally televised auto road test shows.

In 1995, Jedlicka was the recipient of the Better Business Bureau of Chicago and Northern Illinois Inc.'s Consumer Education Award, given annually to a person who has gained distinction in the field of consumer education. He received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Media category and inducted into the Legends of Motorsports Guild at the Carquest World of wheels custom car show in Chicago in January, 2006.

Jedlicka was a member of the North American Car and Truck of the Year jury, composed of a select number of auto journalists from throughout the country, from 1995 until 2009. From 2010 to 2012, he was a member of Consumer Digest magazine's auto experts panel that gave Best Buy new vehicle recommendations.

He is a 1987 graduate of the Bob Bondurant Race Drivers School and later of the BMW "M" and Skip Barber Advanced Driving schools. He was a member of the U.S. team that participated in the 1987 1,000-mile Mille Miglia race/rally in Italy and has been a race winner at the Chicago area's Santa Fe Speedway.

Jedlicka has owned 25 classic cars, including 1950s and 1960s Ferraris and 1950s and 1960s Porsches, a 1965 Corvette, a 1967 Maserati and a 1957 Studebaker supercharged Golden Hawk. Jedlicka resides with his wife, Suzanne, in the Frank Lloyd Wright historic district of Oak Park. They have two children, James and Michele.

For more reviews from Dan, visit Facebook.

2010 Audi R8 Review

2010 Audi R8 - Sizzling.

Dan Jedlicka

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