The survival of the naturally-aspirated V10 in the Audi R8 is something of an anomaly in the wider industry. But the manufacturer is well aware of its value, not least to its Italian subsidiary in Sant'Agata Bolognese. Despite sales being pretty low - just 1,200 examples were sold in Europe last year - the mid-engined supercar's future hasn't ever looked to be in serious danger. Or at least it didn't before coronavirus; Audi execs were openly talking about the merits of hybridisation in boosting an R8 successor's power.
Even if the car's case remains compelling once the global market recovers - and we must assume that nothing is for certain anymore - the concept of a purely V10-powered Audi flagship is almost guaranteed to be discarded. That makes the existing generation an exciting novelty; for the earlier, manually-geared cars, furnished with the 'click-clack' of that aluminium gate, there is now a whiff of unicorn about them. Especially when they turn up in relatively affordable, low-mile guise.
Even when the R8 V10 first arrived two years into first generation's appearance, we all knew it was bucking an industry trend. Turbos and autos were fast becoming the norm even in 2008, but Audi's original 911 rival - which shared its name with the firm's Le Mans winning prototype - used the same base as the Lamborghini Gallardo yet it cost less than £90k, forty grand less than its Italian sibling.
Better still, not only was it naturally-aspirated and available with a manual, the R8 got 525hp from the double overhead camshaft 5.2, so it was - and still is - very brisk. 62mph comes in 4.1 seconds and top speed is 196mph, in a notoriously usable package. Little wonder so many R8 buyers have been city based; aside from the obviously large fuel and servicing costs, there's little challenge in living with Audi's mid-engined headliner.
Time has been very good to the Mk1, too, a car that's always been pretty but seems to have got better and better looking with age. It's a stark contrast to the angular efforts produced these days, the present R8 looking far more try hard by comparison and - according to the concept that hinted at an R8 successor - what's to come will be a whole lot flashier. The pairing of timeless styling with a lost-in-time V10 make the earlier car one for the connoisseur.
To some extent, the model's used prices reflect that. Used Mk1 V8s, as we all know, can be had for little more than £30k, are £25k less than their 10-pot equivalents. But used V10s with a manual gearbox go much further, with the Mk1 car in this spec presently listed on PH up for £65k. It does, however, show only 8,000 miles on the odometer and with a black on black colour scheme contrasted only by the silver side blade, it looks the part.
Nevertheless, it's a vanishingly rare car for new German coupe money. You could argue the V8 is better value, and possibly even the better car - but it's never going to have quite the wailing, quixotic presence of the V10 or its exclusivity. The three-pedal 5.2 is a modern classic in waiting.
SPECIFICATION - AUDI R8 V10 MANUAL
Engine: 5,204 V10
Transmission: 6-speed manual, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 525@8,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 390@6,500rpm
MPG: 20.3 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 326g/km
First registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 8,000
Price new: £109,120
Yours for: £64,995
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