Audi supercar's a road rocket.

Byline: Ian Johnson

IF you thought that Audi's R8 V8 supercar was fast at 4.6 seconds to 62mph, then the V10 version's 3.9 seconds will convince you that you are at the wheel of a true road rocket.

Not that you would use such power in everyday driving, especially on British roads, but it is there lurking in this surprisingly practical beast that has rocked the world of elite motoring.

By practical, I mean that it is very manageable in traffic, has the option of a conventional manual gearbox, can cope with average speed humps and, most importantly, is massively reliable.

It has also caused shockwaves because it is the only production car under pounds 140,000 to combine a mid-mounted engine with four-wheel drive.

And it is blisteringly fast. With its 197mph capability, it takes the podium from the Aston Martin DB9 at 190mph, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S at 185mph and the Maserati Gran Turismo S at 183mph. It is also the best accelerating car in its class - the Aston Martin DB 9 at 4.6 seconds to 62mph being the only one that can get anywhere near it.

The R8 V10 is also receiving accolades for having the most powerful engine in its class - a 5.2-litre V10 with 525PS on tap - not to mention the best power-to-weight ratio and excellent residual values.

All this is fine but I was bowled over, not by the car's attainments, but with the way it copes with everyday driving while having such massive power.

I would not use the words docile or tame, but the R8 V10 was surprisingly manageable in traffic with a clutch that did not snatch or judder and roadholding and brakes that most of us just dream of.

Its road manners are good, by virtue of Audi's so-called "magnetic ride" adaptive damping system, which is added to the highlypraised Audi double wishbone suspension system.

You do have to keep an eye on the speedo, though, because the V10 is so smooth and surprisingly silent. This is the only thing that you really have to worry about with this car. In fact it could do with more roars to match the "Phwoars" from other drivers and passers by.

The R8 V10 has my vote as a truly practical supercar. The model I drove cost pounds 110,635, including on the road costs and several thousand pounds worth of options.

There is little that can compare with the R8 V10's astonishing mix of practicality and mind-blowing power at this price.

CAPTION(S):

MIND-BLOWING The Audi R8 beats the competition hands-down in price and sheer power