Audi R8 LMS

New 517bhp R8 flagship

By Chris Rosamond / Tuesday, 9 December 2008 / Loading comments

A V10 powered road-going version of the R8 LMS will be available to UK customers next year, Audi has confirmed today.

Costing £99,575 on-the-road with a six speed manual gearbox and £104,665 with R tronic sequential shift transmission, the 525bhp R8 range-topper weighs only 31kg more than the V8 powered version at 1,620kg – giving a useful power to weight ratio of 324PS per ton.

The 5.2 litre FSI V10 is mounted longitudinally behind the cockpit, and is almost identical to the unit in the R8 LMS says Audi. Making its 525PS maximum at 8,000rpm with 530Nm of torque delivered at 6,500rpm, the V10 RS8 is good for 0-62mph in 3.9secs and a top speed of 196mph – making it the fastest production Audi ever. The 420PS V8 version knocks off 0-62mph in 4.6secs and tops out at a mere 187mph.

With the V10 engine mounted as close as possible to the centre of the car, Audi says its engineers have achieved near perfect weight distribution of 44 percent front / 56 percent rear. Dry sump lubrication has also been adopted for the engine in order to keep the installation – and therefore the centre of gravity – as close to the tarmac as possible.

Visually the R8 V10 is similar to the V8, but the new top model gets unique 19ins alloy wheels and a handful of subtle body mods. These include high-gloss front grille and front air intakes, more pronounced side sills, wider side cooling vents, high gloss rear air outlets, oval tailpipes and a new rear diffuser.

The V10 also boasts a ‘world first’, says Audi – all LED headlamps. For the first time high intensity diodes are used for low and high beam settings as well as for the indicators.

Inside, extra standard equipment included electric adjustment and heating for the Nappa leather seats, DVD satnav, and a 465 watt B&O sound system.