2014 Audi R8 V10: First Drive Review

By James Tate of MSN Autos

The Audi R8 is no longer the upstart supercar it was a few scant years ago, punching up at the Ferraris and Lamborghinis of the world. It is now a fully established halo car, desired by car nuts all over the world, and displayed by younger gearheads as wallpaper on laptops and smartphones (and as wall posters, if posters are even a thing anymore). We hit the autobahn in a 2014 R8 V10 Plus to see if the tweaks to this refreshed model made any significant difference. Spoiler alert: The R8 is better than ever.

Model lineup
The 2014 R8 is available as a coupe or in the convertible "spyder" trim. Both coupe and spyder are powered by either V8 or V10 engines. The new top-of-the-line R8 V10 Plus gets a horsepower bump and is billed as the fastest R8 yet. Pricing information has not been released for the 2014 Audi R8.

Under the hoodThe 2014 R8 has two engine options: Audi's 4.4-liter V8 that puts out 430 horsepower with 317 lb-ft of torque produced between 4500 and 6000 rpm, or the mighty 5.2-liter V10 with its 525 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque at 6500 rpm. The new 2014 R8 V10 Plus "adds lightness" with carbon-fiber panels, unique wheels, ceramic brakes, a conventional suspension (instead of the magnetic damping setup on the other R8s), and other weight-saving measures that add up to a loss of just over 100 pounds. Some aerodynamic pieces enter the mix, too, but let's just be honest — the real story is that the V10 Plus is good for 550 horsepower, 398 lb-ft of torque, a zero-to-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds and a top speed of 196 mph when equipped with the new 7-speed S-Tronic transmission. As always, all 2014 R8 iterations are all-wheel drive.

Inner space
The cockpit of the 2014 R8 V10 Plus we drove shows that the R8's interior concept remains solid despite its years, though some elements are starting to show a little age; specifically, the multimedia interface, which seemed to lag a little when prompted, and the display in the gauge cluster that now feels flat-out old. Gripes aside, the navigation system still had no difficulty getting us where we needed to go. One disappointment with the 2014 R8 V10 Plus is that the sport bucket seats in the Euro-spec model we tried won't make it to the U.S. version; they offer a great combination of support and comfort. The suede-wrapped steering wheel is wonderfully decadent, but we don't see it holding up over long-term use. Noise reduction in the cabin is outstanding, and so is the roar of the 550-horsepower V10 engine from the inside. The words "unholy racket" come to mind.

On the road
So here's the bit you came for. How was the R8 V10 Plus set loose on the autobahn? Well, we'll say this: Even fitted with snow tires that kept us "limited" to the 170-mph range, the long straights of the legendary German highway seemed too short for the immense power that the V10 Plus has to offer. Headwinds, crosswinds, uphill stretches, it doesn't seem to matter; push the accelerator down and effortless power propels you faster, leaving the impression that its potential is limitless.

Perhaps the biggest news for the 2014 R8 lineup is the new S Tronic transmission. The dual-clutch unit is night-and-day compared to the previous car's single-clutch system and really helps to bring the R8 into this decade. It still might not be the first choice for enthusiast drivers, but the S Tronic finally gives the R8 a worthy automatic for buyers to consider. The carbon-ceramic brakes are amazing — if a little grabby initially — and all-around the R8 V10 Plus feels like a sharper take on the R8 than we've seen before.

The fantastic new LED dynamic turn signals and redesigned headlights grabbed attention everywhere we drove, as did the slick Sepang Blue Pearl Effect finish. Driving the new R8 is like setting bait to lure every car geek in your surrounding area out into the open; people just cannot help but stare at it. Our only qualms with the 2014 R8 V10 Plus might be that its conventional suspension is just a bit bouncy at times. The improved steering is a little heavier than before, having gone from a 17.3:1 ratio to a 16.3:1 ratio for the 2014 model. It's a little heavy at parking speeds, but we can't be made to care — it's just perfect at anything over 10 mph. Also, and this is not a driving problem per se, but the engine noise outside the car just doesn't compare to the aural experience within. Audi, take a little lesson from Porsche and give your monster some proper pipes; let it scream to the world.

Right for you?
If you have a lot of money to spend on a fast sports car and would like the stability of all-wheel drive in case of inclement weather, the 2014 R8 should be near or at the top of your list of cars to test. If you have a lot of money to spend on a fast sports car and are crazy about driving, try an R8 V10 Plus. If it isn't enough car for you, you may need to consider getting shot from a cannon with one of those flying-squirrel-looking glider suits for transportation.

(As part of a sponsored press event, the automaker provided MSN with travel and accommodations to facilitate this report).

James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.