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

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi R8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder 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 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged.This particular Audi R8 has a 5204cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The R8 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. 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 1820 kgs (4012 lbs) this makes the Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 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 V8 engine produces 518 bhp (386 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (500 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 391 lb-ft (530.1 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (369 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (369 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 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (309.6 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has a Power to weight ratio of 284.6 bhp per ton and 214.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 R8 competing with the 2019 Lotus Exige Sport 350 Roadster 3.5 V6 (309.6 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Jaguar XK R-S 5.0 V8 (309.1 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 214.8 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 2008 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 (239.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2014 Audi A7 3.0 TDI Sportback Competition Quattro (239.5 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.6 secs, this made the Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder as fast as the 2023 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 6.2 V8 Convertible (3.50 secs) the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo (3.50 secs) the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 (3.50 secs) the or the 2022 Chevrolet Camaro SS 6.2 V8 Auto (3.50 secs). This Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder is also faster than 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 and the 2019 BMW X6 M Competition 4.4 V8 Turbo F85 (3.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R8 and the 1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe 3.2 2d

When talking about the performance of the Audi R8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.39 secs @ 110.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1998 BMW Z3 M Coupe 3.2 2d (12.33 secs), the 2001 BMW Z3 Roadster (12.33 secs), and the 1986 Ferrari 208 Turbo 2.0L V8 (12.33 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder has a maximum speed of 193mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 R8 equals the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi R8 5.2 V10 Spyder then how about the 2020 Audi R8 Performance 5.2 V10 Spyder (204 mph), the 2018 McLaren 600LT 3.8 V8 Bi-Turbo (204 mph), or the 2017 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat 6.2 V8 (204 mph).

Related Links:

2012 R8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison