One magnetic ride!

WE have never driven the Audi R8 V8 extensively, but we just tried the R8 V10 at the Sepang International Circuit and we think it is a supercar which anybody can enjoy.
A supercar is normally something which is super low and ultra wide, making it ridiculous to drive on the streets of Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur or the busy parts of Petaling Jaya.
You can, but there might be a kapchai or two stuck on the wide body or a pedestrian hooked to the rear spoiler.
The R8 is something different. It looks as aggressive as the other supercars, but our seat time in the car during the recent Audi Sportscar Experience at the Sepang circuit shows it can be as tame as a Persona.
The cabin is low, but offers good visual for the driver.
The interior is splashed in carbon fibre, Alcantara and expensive leather, all the exotic material one expects from a supercar.
A few inches behind your back lies the V10 5.2L engine that tops out 525hp, 105 more than the V8's.

Flat bottomed steering wheel is also good for heavyweight drivers with fat thighs.

Audi claims the car can now launch you to hyperspace with its 316km/h top speed, which unfortunately we were not able to achieve at the track.
We did try out its staggering 0 to 100km/h acceleration, which took only 3.9 seconds.
The most impressive aspect of this car is how well the chassis behaves, thanks to the ferro-magnetic dampers at all its corners.
The Audi Magnetic Ride system is truly an unbelievable way to handle a car. We have driven cars equipped with active suspension, but try doing a slalom in this car and you will notice that there is practically very little bodyroll.
It weaved between the cones in such a flat manner that new drivers attending the event came out wondering what all the fuss doing slaloms was about (which can be dangerous if they try to replicate the same speed with their own car).
The steel rotors held up well during the ABS braking practice, but during the full circuit drive, the higher speed proves a bit too much.
After a few full laps, we needed to pump the brakes harder and to begin braking earlier.
The Audi R8 V10 also required more respect from us. The cars were modified so that we could not switch off the traction control, but even that and the Quattro system could not cope with the physical loads at some of the high-G corners.
Fortunately, instead of spinning the car around, the system just starved the engine from fuel and the car slowed down enough for you to regain your paces.
The 6-speed R-Tronic was solid, and the paddle shifters were the way to go with this car as the gear lever was located quite far in the centre.
According to Stanley Tan, CEO of Euromobil, the company will introduce the R8 V10 here this year.
Price should be around RM1.4 million, which we agree to be fair for such a car.
For those planning to buy the car from grey importers, think again.
The R8 requires specialised tools and also skill for even the simplest maintenance. You can send your car to Euromobil, but be prepared to pay the activation fee of RM25,000.
"We think RM25,000 is too low, so we will hike it up soon to RM50,000," said Tan.

Energetic for a V10 engine
specifications

Audi R8 V10

Engine: 5,204cc, FSI, Normal Aspirated
Cylinder layout:  V10, 40 valves, Twin Cam per bank
Max power: 525 bhp at 8,000 rpm
Max torque: 530 Nm at 6,500 rpm
Transmission: 6-Speed R-Tronic
Top speed: 316 km/h
0-100km/h: 3.9 seconds
Features: Audi Magnetic Ride System featuring ferro-magnetic dampers, Audi Aluminium Space Frame construction, R-Tronic automated 6-speed manual with Launch Control, Quattro all wheel drive