Performance Review: Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 - [2009]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi R8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2009. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2010 Hennessey Venom GT 6.2L V8 and the 2010 Bugatti Veyron 8.0 litre W16 Super Sport.This particular Audi R8 has a 5204cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 10 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V10's includes the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10

The R8 shares its Petrol V10 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Lamborghini Huracan EVO 5.2 V10 and the 2017 Lamborghini Huracan Performante 5.2 V10. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the R8's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1725 kgs (3802 lbs) this makes the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 in the same weight category as the 2022 BMW 4 Series M4 CSL 3.0 Twin Turbo G82 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 V10 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 V10 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 1991 Jaguar XJ 220 (325.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has a Power to weight ratio of 300.2 bhp per ton and 226.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2009 R8 competing with the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220 (325.0 bhp per ton) or the 2012 Aston-Martin Vanquish 5.9 V12 (324.8 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 226.6 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 2013 BMW 5 Series 550i (251.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 1962 Chevrolet Corvette C1 327 V8 (251.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.1 secs, this made the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 as fast as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (4.00 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto (4.00 secs) the 2021 Audi e-tron GT Quattro (4.00 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.00 secs). This Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 is also faster than the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs) the and the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R8 and the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Audi R8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.86 secs @ 115.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2013 Maserati Ghibli S Q4 3.0 V6 Turbo (11.80 secs), the 2013 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo (11.81 secs), and the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 4Motion 2.0 Turbo (11.82 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2009 version of the Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 has a maximum speed of 194mph.

Top Speed of the 2009 R8 equals the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (205 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2009 Audi R8 Spyder 5.2L V10 then how about the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (205 mph), the 2022 Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (205 mph), or the 2021 Ferrari 296 GTB Assetto 3.0 V6 Twin Turbo Hybrid (205 mph).

Related Links:

2009 R8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison