V8 v V10 review

[pike98]

I have recently purchased a V8 and had the opportunity last week to drive the new V10 demo. I was concerned before I drove the V10 that it would be significantly better than the V8 and thus devalue my car. However after driving the V10 I was left disappointed, the interior styling is almost identical apart from the odd V10 badge on the dash and the differences on the exterior would take a fairly keen petrol head to spot apart from the wheels, which in fairness the jury is still on!
The car handled almost identically like the V8, although the clutch seemed a little lighter on the car I drove. The exhaust note was harsher than the V8, more like a Gallardo in rasp, and the car was noticeably quicker in third gear under acceleration.
The V10 is quicker than the V8 there is no hiding that fact; however it is not significantly quicker or significantly different than its V8 brother. The Audi R8 is an amazing car but early high mileage examples are changing hands now around the £55k mark, If I was spending over £100k on a super car I would expect something out of the ordinary and extremely special. Take my advice get a V8 its nearly as quick and is just as good to drive, unless you’ve got money to burn!

[SteveR]

Thanks for that. I am amazed that you found a V10 demo to drive. Are you in the UK?

I have had my heart set on the V10 since it was rumored, mainly because I hesitated to spend this much on a car with a powerplant so similar to what I have in my 04' S4 (now only worth about 20k USD). As time goes on I am becoming less impressed with the difference between the V10 and V8 versions. Put an aftermarket exhaust on the V8 and the driving experience is even closer. If the US pricing for the V10 is as high as predicted, the decision will be pretty easy for me.

[Bluehinder]

You guys are smokin. There is no comparison in performance between the two cars.

Read the reviews. You are the only two on the planet that think the V10 is not significantly faster than the V8.

[SteveR]

Maybe. I haven't driven either, and based on the reviews the V10 sounds like a great car.

But, with numbers like: 0-60 3.8/4.4 and quarter mile 12.0/12.8, I am not sure if I would rather have the 50k USD price difference or the sub-second improvement in performance.

[Kreso]

I have recently purchased a V8 and had the opportunity last week to drive the new V10 demo. I was concerned before I drove the V10 that it would be significantly better than the V8 and thus devalue my car. However after driving the V10 I was left disappointed, the interior styling is almost identical apart from the odd V10 badge on the dash and the differences on the exterior would take a fairly keen petrol head to spot apart from the wheels, which in fairness the jury is still on!
The car handled almost identically like the V8, although the clutch seemed a little lighter on the car I drove. The exhaust note was harsher than the V8, more like a Gallardo in rasp, and the car was noticeably quicker in third gear under acceleration.
The V10 is quicker than the V8 there is no hiding that fact; however it is not significantly quicker or significantly different than its V8 brother. The Audi R8 is an amazing car but early high mileage examples are changing hands now around the £55k mark, If I was spending over £100k on a super car I would expect something out of the ordinary and extremely special. Take my advice get a V8 its nearly as quick and is just as good to drive, unless you’ve got money to burn!

I have to disagree big time here. After my short test drive in Germany my conclusion is clear-R8 5.2 FSI is much faster car then my R8 4.2 FSI. Members here like R8England will probably agree with me.

Difference is not that much in handling but, in overall feeling. V10 revs much more cleanly then V8 and it is mechanically smoother overall. Low rev grunt is soo much better on V10 as well.

For example-difference on the autobahn between V8 and V10 in 100km/h-220km/h is over 100m...

My advice for all V8 owners that are interested in V10 is to try one. Specially side by side with V8. In reality difference is big, at least IMHO.

[MikeB]

Thats 25% more power and 15% faster. I'll take that anyday.

[RS4Cab]

Still feel with the right mods you will be able to get the lighter V8 numbers close to V10. Modding is half the fun to me, Would rather put some of what I'm saving into mods for my car. Right now it's at the dealers getting exhaust installed, Thinking stasis exhaust will make my car sound better than a stock V10. Next up looks like the V-flow air kit. These two mods alone should gain me close to 30hp. Best of all is I got my car as soon as I decided I wanted one in May. Ordering a V10 would have cost me a driving season and here in New England I hate losing one.

[RS4Cab]

Maybe. I haven't driven either, and based on the reviews the V10 sounds like a great car.

But, with numbers like: 0-60 3.8/4.4 and quarter mile 12.0/12.8, I am not sure if I would rather have the 50k USD price difference or the sub-second improvement in performance.

Those are numbers that Audi puts out, Will be interesting to see what the V10can put down in testing. I know Road&Track got 0-60 in 4.0 and 12.50 in 1/4. Would think the V10 will put out better numbers than what Audi claims

[Streetrod]

Still feel with the right mods you will be able to get the lighter V8 numbers close to V10. Modding is half the fun to me, Would rather put some of what I'm saving into mods for my car. Right now it's at the dealers getting exhaust installed, Thinking stasis exhaust will make my car sound better than a stock V10. Next up looks like the V-flow air kit. These two mods alone should gain me close to 30hp. Best of all is I got my car as soon as I decided I wanted one in May. Ordering a V10 would have cost me a driving season and here in New England I hate losing one.

The difference is big guys which is why I cant wait for mine to arrive in September. Yes the cars have a similar feel just like most Porsches have the same feel but that has to be a good thing because the R8 V8 was so right from the start. The V10 just moves it up a performance league.

As for modding, over in the UK that is going to kill your warrenty and potential resale value so you have to be careful. But I must admit I will be looking to get my V10 back to the Gallardo power levels, so therefore my dealer has agreed a new exhaust and remap should regain the 50HP lost to the Gallardo for polical reasons.

[MikeB]

I posted elsewhere about the potential for re-tuning the V10 back to Gallardo levels- do you have more details on the exhaust and re-map?