Audi R8 V10 (Plus)

An overachiever too cool for school?

- Frank Markus

On paper this is a real head-scratcher. Our last R8 V10 Plus finished third with few stated gripes aside from “wanting more torque,” “steering is a bit numb,” and issues with the tires and their pressure settings. So Audi gives the entire car a thorough going over that includes boosting engine output by 52 hp and 15 lb-ft, which helps the all-wheel-drive hypercar lay down the quickest quarter mile of any naturally aspirated car we’ve tested. It then slaps on some Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, which help this richly appointed grand tourer circulate Mazda Raceway in a blistering 1 minute, 34.23 seconds—a result that ranks 10th among all cars we’ve tested at MRLS and is 2.16 seconds quicker than the crude R8 GT race car that finished in seventh place back in 2011. And somehow all this laudable effort lands Audi … back in seventh place?! “RECOUNT THOSE HANGING CHADS!” you’re shouting.