2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium

Ten years ago, Audi shocked the auto world when it uncorked an all-wheel drive, ten-cylinder supercar that ushered in a new era of performance for the German automaker. This year, the Audi R8 turns a decade old, and Audi’s throwing a party for its beloved performance machine with a special edition model called the R8 V10 Decennium. Taken from the Latin word that literally means “decade,” the R8 V10 Decennium is a fitting ode to a supercar that played a huge role in redefining the supercar segment. Only 222 models of the anniversary R8 will be available. Each model is priced at €220,000, which converts to about $250,000 based on current exchange rates. The Audi R8 Decennium becomes available starting in the spring of 2019.

2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium

Specifications

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Model: 2020 Audi R8 V10 Decennium
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What Makes The Audi R8 V10 Decennium Special

Time sure flies fast, doesn’t it? It feels like it was just yesterday when the Audi R8 first burst into the scene. Ten years and two generations later, Audi’s toasting the 10th anniversary of its beloved supercar, as it should. See, the allure of a special edition model has, in some ways, lost its touch in light of how many of them are released for whatever reason. Sometimes, an automaker slaps on a special edition label for the silliest of reasons, even if there’s nothing really special about the car itself or there's no reason for the celebration.

The Audi R8 V10 Decennium is different. Very different. Not only was it a ground-breaking supercar, but it was also an image-changing supercar. Before the R8, Audi was largely known as a luxury company that had a strong motorsports program. It could build and develop championship-winning race cars, but that expertise, and the technological capacity that went with it, never translated to an actual road-going performance car. The arrival of the R8 not only flipped that narrative, but it also changed it completely. If anything, the R8 showcased Audi in a totally different light. Before the R8 arrived, Audi was the well-off uncle who gave you cool gifts when he had money. Once the R8 arrived, it became the well-off uncle that gave you awesome gifts all the time.

So, yes, the Audi R8 V10 Decennium is a well-earned special edition model. Fortunately, it looks the part of one, too. Start with the Daytona Grey matte paint. Not only does it give the R8 V10 Decennium a slick, stealthy look, but it also matches up very well with the 20-inch bronze wheels. Speaking of bronze, the intake manifold also gets dressed in the good stuff. The front spoiler, side sills, and rear diffuser all come in a gloss black finish while the mirror casings are made from carbon fiber. This is the kind of Audi R8 V10 that’s going to make you stop in your tracks, pull out your phone, and share it on your Instagram stories. It certainly helps if you can zoom in on the many “Decennium” badges that are spread out in the body of the supercar.

Step inside the car and the all-black treatment continues, mostly of the gloss carbon trim variety. There’s enough premium leather in there, too, and Alcantara covers the steering wheel. The same copper stitching can also be found on the door rail, door armrest, and center armrest.

There are no engine upgrades, sure, but that’s like asking for more candy sprinkles on a sundae that’s already drowning in them. In standard form, the Audi R8 V10 Plus — the R8 Decennium is based on the higher-spec R8 — is powered by a 5.2-liter V-10 engine that produces 620 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque. All that power goes to the all four wheels courtesy of a seven-speed S ironic dual-clutch transmission. It’s the only gear-swapper available, so stop wishing for the return of the six-speed manual cog. It’s not happening. In any case, the R8 V10 Decennium can sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds before setting off on a top speed run that peaks at 205 mph.

I can’t say enough about Audi’s treatment of the R8 Decennium. The German automaker could have gone balls to the wall with it, especially since it’s an anniversary model. But Audi was a little more restrained, opting instead to give the R8 V10 Decennium a classier look. It’s certainly not the most exclusive R8 in the world — the Audi R8 Star of Lucris was a one-of-one exclusive for the Japanese market back in 2016 — but as far as purpose and identity are concerned, the Decennium is a proper special edition model for a proper occasion.

Fortunately, it doesn’t look like Audi’s launching the special edition R8 until it’s ready to do the same for the new R8. That’s happening sometime in the coming months so, if you’re interested in buying the R8 V10 Decennium, be on the look-out for announcements. Once Audi makes them available, expect a mad rush among customers who are looking to secure one of the 222 units available. In the event that you manage to score one, you’re going to need to save up €220,000 to buy one. That converts to about $250,000 based on current exchange rates. It’s a pretty steep price, sure, but remember, the R8 V10 Plus Quattro S ironic already starts at close to $200,000. What’s an extra 50-large for a proper special edition R8 V10, right?