Within the same-same exterior design, which nonetheless still packs as much road presence as a Ferrari and probably more than a 911, there’s an all-new mid-engined platform that combines an aluminium space-frame chassis and a central carbon-fibre monocoque. <br /> <br />The alloy accounts for 79 per cent and the carbon around 13 per cent. Together, the structure weighs just 200kg – 10kg less than before – yet it’s claimed to be 40 per cent stronger. Weight distribution is 42/58 per cent front/rear and sending the power to the road is Audi’s latest quattro all-wheel drive system which can deliver up to 100 per cent of torque to either axle. <br /> <br />There’s also a passive rear limited-slip diff, which delivers up to 45 per cent locking action under acceleration and up to 25 per cent under deceleration. <br /> <br />Total vehicle weight stays under 1500kg dry, or 1670kg for the base V10 and 1630kg for the V10 plus according to the EU standard (including a 75kg driver and 90 per cent fuel load). <br /> <br /> <br />The standard R8 5.2 FSI V10 quattro Coupe is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10 – Audi’s last remaining naturally aspirated engine. It delivers 397kW at 8250rpm and 540Nm at 6500rpm (up 11kW and 10Nm). <br />Aided by direct and indirect fuel-injection and cylinder-shutdown technology for the first time, it averages fuel consumption of 11.4L/100km and can accelerate the base R8 to 100km/h in a claimed 3.5sec on its way to a 320km/h top speed. <br /> <br />The hotter R8 plus delivers 449kW and 560Nm at the same revs (up 45kW and 30Nm), consumes 12.3L/100km and hits 100km/h in 3.2sec and a 330km/h top speed.
