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Critics Praise Awesome Audi R8 Coupe for Being Awesome

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The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus group

The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus group

The 2017 Audi R8 is here, and it should come as little surprise that the most powerful Audi production model ever built is earning plaudits for its power, performance, and design. Two of the industry’s most trusted outlets have praised the Audi R8 Coupe and the even-more-powerful Audi R8 V10 plus quattro, highlighting the output of its V10 engine, balanced driving dynamics

In its Audi R8 review, Whatcar called the new supercar “the pinnacle of Audi’s ever-improving range,” giving it five stars and comparing it favorably to the likes of the Porsche 911 Turbo, McLaren 570S, and Ferrari 488 GTB.

The review praises the Audi R8 for being well-rounded when compared with other supercars like the McLaren 570S and the Ferrari 488. While it doesn’t handle quite as well as the aforementioned two, the Audi R8’s power-hungry V10 engine rockets the driver to his or her destination in a flurry of excitement, while still remaining luxuriously comfortable and refined.

The 2017 Audi R8 V10 Plus group

According to The Detroit Free Press’ Mark Phelan, who gave the top-tier R8 V10 plus quattro a four-star rating, its handling “is so sharp, the car seems controlled by your thoughts, negotiating high-speed corners as fast and smoothly as you turn your head.”

“The R8’s performance doesn’t take your breath away so much as make you hold to see what’s next,” said Phelan. “The performance-tuned all-wheel drive puts power down smoothly, digging into curves and powering through straight lines. The steering is fast, but not touchy, providing good on-center feel and lighting response in quick maneuvers.”

Audi has been producing the R8 since 2006, and each year has been better than the previous. Currently in its second iteration, the R8 Coupe costs a cool $162,900 starting MSRP, topping out at a whopping $205,000 for the top-of-the-line model. This price includes things like customized exterior paint, hand-stitched leather seats, 20-inch 10-spoke Y-design forged titanium wheels, dynamic steering, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, and much more. All models also come with heated seats, automatic climate control, Audi connect infotainment, HomeLink universal garage door opener, rain and light-sensing headlights and windshield wipers, and a three-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters. Basically, if you’re looking for the ultimate luxury supercar at a surprisingly affordable price, make sure the Audi R8 is on your list.

The R8 V10 plus quattro’s naturally-aspirated V10, which is the same as that found in Audi’s R8 LMS race car, is paired with a reconfigured seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission, resulting in 610 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, a 3.2-second 0-60 time, and a top speed of 205 mph. So, yeah, it’s pretty nuts. And given that you can accessorize your Audi R8 online, it can only get better.

Gallery: 2017 Audi R8 V10