VIDEO: Blue By You - Fifth Gear samples the stunning Audi R8 V10
Click above to watch the video after the jump
The 16th season of the hit British motorcar show Fifth Gear is just getting off the ground, and it's starting in style with a review of a stunningly beautiful Audi R8 V10. Unfortunately, Fifth Gear didn't appear to really wring out the 522 hp, V10 beauty during their review, but the rain may have had something to do with it. The UK team did provide plenty of exquisite shots of the top Audi, though, along with plenty of pithy dialogue.
Do the blokes at 5G feel that the added punch of the V10 engine is enough to justify the massive price premium over the standard V8-powered R8? Hit the jump to view Fifth Gear's leisurely review for yourself. We're not entirely sure we agree with the final analysis of the V10's merits, but we'll reserve judgment until we get our mitts on one. In the meantime, we appreciate the well-done video and the R8's striking blue paint – a shade we haven't encountered before, but one we look forward to seeing again and again.
Gallery: Detroit 2009: Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI
[Source: YouTube]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Mehdi Cheddadi 8:00PM (6/11/2009)
really should have been tiff doing that review...
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Chris 11:34AM (6/12/2009)
I agree. Tiff is the man. I like knowing there is a real race car driver, who knows what he is talking about, reviewing the car. Right off the bat, this guy defends his lack of experience. Such a turn off.
HOWEVER....5th gear is way better than Top Gear...so I'm cool with it.
fmwso 8:07PM (6/11/2009)
awesome car, boring review...
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wilbonnet 12:13PM (6/12/2009)
fifth gear sucks.... "it is gorgeous though" is a terrible last remark, it looks EXACTLY like an r8 v8, so this statement does not support his argument whatsoever. And what is a guy with average driving capability doing making his living driving cars of this caliber? He has a soul patch! I hate fifth gear.
jcar302 8:09PM (6/11/2009)
When you are talking about cars that cost 100,000 and up, 20 more grand isn't that much.
IMO, they should of just killed the v8 version off.
I'd like to see this car track tested vs the GTR (for the record i dislike the gtr and the R8) i think it would make for an exiting comparison.
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Protzenegger 8:29PM (6/11/2009)
I prefer an entering comparison.
Mehdi Cheddadi 8:31PM (6/11/2009)
bahahahha loool
zamafir 9:26PM (6/11/2009)
psst, it's a british tv show. the price differential of around $50,000, or about half the price of the V8 R8 in north america. by your logic, Chevy should just get rid of the Z06 because the ZR1s only a bit more expensive.
The GT-R will pwn the R8 V8 or V10 on the track, two completely different animals with two completely different focuses.
Tom Winch 12:35AM (6/12/2009)
@Zamafir - 23,000 GBP = $38,019 at today's exchange rate. Still nothing to sneeze at, but almost 25% less than $50K. Last time I did a "build your own" R8 on Audi's website, a V8 model runs around $125 - 135K depending on options. Adding almost $40K to that for a V10 model would take a lot of rationalizing to justify. IMO, you'd have to want the exclusivity of the V10 and have the coin to pay for it.
zamafir 1:27AM (6/12/2009)
@Tom Winch - you can't convert, ever.
the R8 starts at around 110,000
the R8 V10 is going to start at 165,000 in north america.
I'm basing my comments on the retail figures for north america, not on converting EU prices.
Carlos 8:11PM (6/11/2009)
Looks great, doesn't sound the part. I'm more partial to a Viper V10.
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d4rez 8:15PM (6/11/2009)
Shame about the rest of the car though isn't it?
MikeW 10:50PM (6/11/2009)
It has an odd firing V10 just like the Viper. (and M5/6)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQIxqAxDjLQ&feature=related
Now this is how you review a car
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTZ0PA9KlT4
and this is how you drive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdEe1BxW7HE&feature=related
Chris 11:40AM (6/12/2009)
I wouldn't call that great driving. Although its still better than how 99% of all journalists drive.....bouncing off the rev-limiter like that aint cool and the driver needs to keep his right foot down between shifts! I like the effort, though.
Sam 8:15PM (6/11/2009)
the badge ruins its supercar-ness for me
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zamafir 8:49PM (6/11/2009)
totally, what with no decades of race history, who do audi think they are, psch, it's not like they've dominated lemans, or invented the production awd car. I'll take a more expensive, fractionally faster, still built by Audi AG but with a different badge gallardo. That'll show my OC neighbors who's boss.
2004m3driver 9:07PM (6/11/2009)
O what is in a super car? That in which we call a V10 beast should drive as sweet with any name.
Sam 9:11PM (6/11/2009)
well you missed the point.. it doesnt FEEL like a supercar. I didnt say anything about the performance.
BMW Fan 9:38PM (6/11/2009)
Are you kidding? You do know that Audi is about to overtake Ferrari (yes Ferrari) for second behind Porsche for most consecutive wins at Le Mans...
Audi has every right to build a supercar, as would BMW or Mercedes. Maybe not so much Lexus...lol
zamafir 9:41PM (6/11/2009)
no, the point was gotten, it just requires elaboration. Audi's been competing in motorsports since that bastard hitler was in power, their products. The R8's quite a bit rarer than many a supercar currently trundling about so-cal and miami freeways. The power and grip are phenomenal. You'll need to explain why a company steeped in race history and innovation, who's manage to steward Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti without issue, should some how impede such a fantastic car's prowess with the inclusion of four rings.