Performance Review: Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi R8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 Lamborghini Veneno 6.5 V12.This particular Audi R8 has a 5204cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The R8 shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the R8's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1645 kgs (3626 lbs) this makes the Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi R8 shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 5204cc 40V V10 engine produces 542 bhp (404 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi R8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Mercedes GT R 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (353.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has a Power to weight ratio of 329.4 bhp per ton and 241.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 R8 competing with the 2016 Mercedes GT R 4.0 V8 Bi-Turbo (353.9 bhp per ton) or the 1995 Porsche 911 GT2 993 (353.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi R8 generating around 241.9 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 1965 Jensen CV8 FF 6.3L V8 (266.6 lb-ft per ton) or the 2000 Porsche 911 Turbo 996 (266.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.7 secs, this made the Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 as fast as the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (3.60 secs) the 2020 Audi TT RS 2.0 Turbo (3.60 secs) the 2020 Iso Rivolta GTZ 6.2 V8 Supercharged (3.60 secs) the or the 2019 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs). This Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 is also faster than the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs) the and the 2021 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Supercharged Convertible (3.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R8 and the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8

When talking about the performance of the Audi R8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.81 secs @ 115.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2011 Dodge Charger SRT8 6.4 V8 (11.76 secs), the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (11.76 secs), and the 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X RS (11.77 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 has a maximum speed of 198mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 R8 equals the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi R8 Plus 5.2 V10 then how about the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo (209 mph), the 2006 Mercedes SLR Class McLaren 722 Edition (209 mph), or the 2019 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 6.2 V8 Supercharged C7 (210 mph).

Related Links:

2012 R8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison