[討論] 奧迪R8 V10加版

It’s the R8 V10 Plus and it amounts to both a little more and a little less: More power, less weight. Lots more money.

Available only in coupe form, the V10 Plus is a massaged version of the standard V10 with software tweaks that liberate 404kW of power, extra use of lightweight materials that shave mass by 50kg (for a total of 1570kg) and a price-tag of US$458,200 plus on-road costs.

There is, of course, more to it than that. You also get ceramic brakes as standard with eight-piston front calipers and lots of carbon-fibre bits and pieces including the exterior mirrors, spoilers and the R8’s trademark side-blade garnish.

Inside, the V10 Plus gets sports seats and while the rest of the layout is the same as lesser R8s, the whole range has come in for a mild facelift that incorporates larger paddle-shifters.

Speaking of the transmission, all R8 V10s (including the Plus) will be of the clutchless-manual variety. Those who insist on a clutch pedal will need to settle for the V8.

A manual V10 and V10 Plus is available in Europe, but Audi believes the take-up for this option would be negligible in this market.

But here’s the good news; the clunky old six-speed clutchless gearbox has been replaced by a brand-new seven-speed unit with dual clutches.

The result is a car that is much smoother and more civilised around town when left in automatic mode, but also vastly more capable on a racetrack.

The V10 Plus is just as refined and capable as any other R8 (which means ‘‘very’’) with ride comfort that belies the supercar tag and an easy, flowing feel that makes some other exotics feel very compromised.

The steering is light and accurate and the V10 has enough torque for pretty vivid acceleration without going anywhere near the 8000rpm redline.

Tackle a racetrack, however, and the extra attention to detail of the V10 Plus suddenly starts to make itself felt.

Shifting the gearbox manually elicits a delicious down-shift blip from the engine while the 5.2-litre Lamborghini-sourced V10 makes an awesome wailing noise when wound out in the gears.

The car comes alive at higher speeds and suddenly you’re acutely aware of the relatively short wheelbase that gives the R8 a very dynamic, frisky feel.