R8

Audi's R8 supercar was given a facelift and slight range update in March 2013, with the German car-maker launching the top-of-the-line V10 Plus.

The Plus packed a special 404kW/540Nm version of the R8’s Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre V10 engine, and the car’s 1570kg mass made it 50kg lighter than the standard V10.

Weight-reducing measures included lighter titanium-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, carbon-ceramic brakes, thinner insulation and fibreglass seat frames for the Plus-specific bucket seats.

Hot Plus variant aside, outputs from the standard V8 and V10 engines remained at 316kW/430Nm and 386kW/530Nm respectively but the new S-tronic transmission improved fuel efficiency.

A tall seventh ratio enabled the R8 Plus to deliver a relatively responsible fuel consumption figure of 12.9 litres per 100 kilometres – less than the outgoing V8 version and not bad considering a Holden Commodore SS used 12.3L/100km.