Performance Review: Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 - [2011]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi R8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 is the 6 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2011. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2011 SSC Tuatara 6.9L V8 Twin Turbo.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 1715 kgs (3780 lbs) this makes the Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo 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 552 bhp (411 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V10 throws out 398 lb-ft (539.6 Nm) @ 6500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (418 lb-ft) or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (406 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 2001 Lamborghini Murcielago 6.2 V12 (346.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has a Power to weight ratio of 321.8 bhp per ton and 232.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2011 R8 competing with the 2001 Lamborghini Murcielago 6.2 V12 (346.0 bhp per ton) or the 2016 Ferrari GTC4Lusso T 3.9L V8 Turbo (345.9 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 232.0 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 2007 Ferrari 430 Scuderia (257.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2010 Bentley Continental SuperSports Flying Star (257.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.70 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.8 secs, this made the Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 as fast as the 2022 BMW 8 Series M850i xDrive 4.4 V8 Turbo G15 (3.70 secs) the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 (3.70 secs) the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 Touring 992 (3.70 secs) the or the 2021 Porsche 911 GT3 992 (3.70 secs). This Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 is also faster than the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (3.80 secs) the and the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R8 and the 2021 BMW i4 M50

When talking about the performance of the Audi R8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 11.47 secs @ 119.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (11.42 secs), the 1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 (11.43 secs), and the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (11.44 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2011 version of the Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 has a maximum speed of 197mph.

Top Speed of the 2011 R8 equals the 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (208 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2011 Audi R8 Spyder GT 5.2L V10 then how about the 2020 McLaren Elva 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (208 mph), the 2018 Aston-Martin DB11 AMR 5.2 V12 twin Turbo (208 mph), or the 2017 Apollo Intensa Emozione 6.3 V12 (208 mph).

Related Links:

2011 R8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison