V10 factory collection

[R8 England]

The factory collection/factory tour option is to be recommended. The whole tour is arranged around the customer, and was very informative, relaxed and impressive.

It is a fascinating facility and interesting to see almost the entire aluminium chassis welded by hand, contrasting with the most modern automation and measurement/quality control facilities. I was astounded to see the amount of metal in the boot area, protecting the driver against frontal collision.

The attention to detail and dedication of the workforce is considerable. All bare metal body shells are inspected and hand finished/polished to remove imperfections.

I was surprised to hear that the engines shipped in from the Gyor factory have never been run. Apparently, the first time an engine is fired up is when the car nears the end of production.

The production line was busy, and with one exception, all cars being produced were V10 with black and white the most popular colours.

They were also starting to weld chassis’s for pre-series Spyder models.

I did ask about future models and it was made clear that it is difficult to supply the amount of cooling needed for a mid/rear engine car, and there would not be a turbo/supercharged V8 or V10. The V8 holds 10 litres of oil, the V10 only 8 litres. Less oil and more heat to dump, hence the V10 oil cooler is twice the size ! Also, the V10 has additional engine sensors that limit a cold engine to 6,000 rpm until the oil has warmed up to 60 deg C. There is also an overheating sensor that will limit you to 6,000 rpm until the temperatures falls below the critical range.

I doubt such sensors will kick in even in heavy use (no problems with the V10's at the Silverstone track day), and are probably a cautious approach for extreme circumstances in hot climates.

I know we have other threads on mods to turbo or supercharge V8 & V10, but the factory emphatically state that it is not recommended due to a whole host of cooling issues.


The drive back to UK was horrible with heavy rain, plus the odd cloudburst. Photos are not so good, so apologies. Colour combo is Sepang/Apollo. As far as I can tell, the suspension feels a bit stiffer than V8, but still very comfortable on a long drive. Other than that, the car is pure V8 on steroids. Everything that is good about the V8, but with more oomph.

Just need to finish running in, and then organise a track day………

It is difficult to say whether it is worth selling a V8 to buy a V10, its purely personal choice. But with the effective UK price difference – allowing for the higher spec – of around GBP £11K, I am more than happy with my decision.

Certainly, the Gallardo now has the V10 nipping closely at its heels, which is offering IMHO a better all round package at a significantly lower price.

Kreso, thanks for your kind words & advice. Hope you get your very soon !

[mngolfer]

Beautiful car! I love the color combination. Thank you for your comments on the factory. Can one visit the factory if you are not picking up a new car?

[R8 England]

Beautiful car! I love the color combination. Thank you for your comments on the factory. Can one visit the factory if you are not picking up a new car?

Yes, in the UK, you can arrange a factory visit (assuming you are a current or future R8 owner) via the R8 team at Audi UK.

You might want to try your R8 team at AoA.

[Kreso]

The factory collection/factory tour option is to be recommended. The whole tour is arranged around the customer, and was very informative, relaxed and impressive.

It is a fascinating facility and interesting to see almost the entire aluminium chassis welded by hand, contrasting with the most modern automation and measurement/quality control facilities. I was astounded to see the amount of metal in the boot area, protecting the driver against frontal collision.

The attention to detail and dedication of the workforce is considerable. All bare metal body shells are inspected and hand finished/polished to remove imperfections.

I was surprised to hear that the engines shipped in from the Gyor factory have never been run. Apparently, the first time an engine is fired up is when the car nears the end of production.

The production line was busy, and with one exception, all cars being produced were V10 with black and white the most popular colours.

They were also starting to weld chassis’s for pre-series Spyder models.

I did ask about future models and it was made clear that it is difficult to supply the amount of cooling needed for a mid/rear engine car, and there would not be a turbo/supercharged V8 or V10. The V8 holds 10 litres of oil, the V10 only 8 litres. Less oil and more heat to dump, hence the V10 oil cooler is twice the size ! Also, the V10 has additional engine sensors that limit a cold engine to 6,000 rpm until the oil has warmed up to 60 deg C. There is also an overheating sensor that will limit you to 6,000 rpm until the temperatures falls below the critical range.

I doubt such sensors will kick in even in heavy use (no problems with the V10's at the Silverstone track day), and are probably a cautious approach for extreme circumstances in hot climates.

I know we have other threads on mods to turbo or supercharge V8 & V10, but the factory emphatically state that it is not recommended due to a whole host of cooling issues.


The drive back to UK was horrible with heavy rain, plus the odd cloudburst. Photos are not so good, so apologies. Colour combo is Sepang/Apollo. As far as I can tell, the suspension feels a bit stiffer than V8, but still very comfortable on a long drive. Other than that, the car is pure V8 on steroids. Everything that is good about the V8, but with more oomph.

Just need to finish running in, and then organise a track day………

It is difficult to say whether it is worth selling a V8 to buy a V10, its purely personal choice. But with the effective UK price difference – allowing for the higher spec – of around GBP £11K, I am more than happy with my decision.

Certainly, the Gallardo now has the V10 nipping closely at its heels, which is offering IMHO a better all round package at a significantly lower price.

Kreso, thanks for your kind words & advice. Hope you get your very soon !

Glad that everything was great for you. Congrats again!

I will have mine in September hopefully since I want for some options that will become avilable in week 26(CF door guards code 7M7 and CF exterior mirrors code 6FQ). Exterior color is Suzkuka and interior... You will see...

BTW, despite my efforts I still do not like V10 wheels so, I ordered 19" double spoke in Titanium.

Little bit more words from you about difference in power delivery and overall engine sound? V10 revs much smoother IMHO.

[Kreso]

One othet question-are you absolutely sure that side blades on your car are Apollo Silver Metallic? Did you order them via YUY code(side blades in Audi Exclusive color)?

I am asking because on your pics they look almost as light as Oxygen Silver...

Here is the picture of Ice Silver Metallic with Apollo Silver Metallic side blades.

[R8 England]

Hi Kreso,

I'm running the engine in, so generally not going above 4,000 rpm. However, when I did, power was considerable and sustained. You really can feel the extra 100 horses under the bonnet.

I'll give you a full report when its run in and I'm on a track (July ?)

Yes, the V10 sound is very smooth indeed. I have been using a Gallardo for a few weeks. In comparisson, the Audi V10 produces a very similiar sound and tone, but at a lower volume. As a result, IMHO, the Gallardo sounds like a boy racer, the Audi more refined and sophisticated. Can't really describe it any other way.

I don't really mind the Y shape wheels, I am getting used to them.

Sideblade is indeed YUY code, but the photo shows too much reflection, so it does look like Oxygen as you note. A close up photo below shows the difference. A dark silver/grey instead of a mirror-like bright silver.

[SFR8]

Congratulation R8 England! Thanks for the report. "V8 on steroid".

[nile]

Beautiful car congratulations R8 England

Great factory report!

Any info on the spyder?

I will definitely request a factory pick-up the next time.

Thankyou

[R8 England]

Thanks Nile,

Yes, well worth doing if you get the chance.

I did not see a Spyder.

The chassis of the R8 is manufactured as three sections, which are then welded together. I was shown a rear Spyder section under construction. Truly a marvel of engineering. The sections were heavily reinforced and were made of thicker gauge aluminium than a standard R8.

As previously noted, they are making pre-series Spyders at present. But although they are happy to show how the chassis is strengthened and rigidity maintained without a roof, they were not going to show whatever cars that have been made to visitors.

All I can say is that seeing the design of the R8 chassis, and the extra strengthening on the Sypder chassis, a great deal of thought has gone into it.

I look forward to seeing the finished car as much as everyone else !

[harrison]

The v 10 wheels are growing on me. Are they forged and as lite as the V 8 wheel??