#R8V10

When Chevrolet unveiled the C8 Corvette last night, there were a lot of surprises, but the two biggest ones were the 0-60 MPH time and the price. Considered together, Chevrolet’s promise that the C8 will start below $60,000 and hit 60 mph in less than 3 seconds is wildly impressive.

Not surprisingly, luxury cars aren’t very cheap to insure.

The  Honda Civic Type R is once again the fastest front-wheel-drive car around the Nurburgring.

The Audi R8 V10 has been named the official safety car at the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

It has been another busy year at the AutoGuide office. Once again we have driven and evaluated hundreds of cars this year ranging from the Mitsubishi Mirage to the Dodge Ram to the Rolls Royce Ghost.

One of the best places to listen to a vehicle’s engine note through its power band is on a dyno; and that’s exactly what Audi did with its R8 V10 plus.

PPI Automotive has taken the Audi R8 V10 and overhauled it into the limited edition Razor GTR-10. With modifications from bumper to bumper, including performance, suspension and aesthetics, it’s a complete package for those that find the standard V10 model too mundane.

Audi has just released pricing for the new V10-powered R8 in the U.S. The 525hp exotic will start at $146,000 with a six-speed manual transmission and $155,100 for Audi’s R-tronic auto-box with paddle shifters.

The 4.2-liter V8 model will continue to be offered at a starting price of $114,200.

Standard equipment on the new R8 5.2 FSI includes a rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive system Audi magnetic ride, navigation, a 465-watt Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi parking system with backup camera, and 10-way heated sport seats. This is on top of the amazing V10 engine with 525hp and 391 ft-lbs of torque.

The 2010 R8 V10 will also be offered in an exclusive color: Sepang Blue pearl effect.

“The R8 is a proven worldwide success story for Audi,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “The positive effects of the vehicle on dealers, customers, and Audi fans alike have exceeded all expectations.  The addition of the V10-powered R8 5.2 FSI quattro adds further equity into the already sought-after R8 nameplate and the Audi brand.”

Today the first two U.S.-spec 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI models were delivered to the winning bidders at the 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance charity auction back in February. Two two models sold for a combined $850,000, with all the proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Fla.

Official release after the jump:

While Audi has made no secret that it will be releasing a convertible version of its V10-powered R8 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the German luxury car maker has kept the car under wraps. Even the test mules spotted lapping the Nürburgring were well-masked.

Those waiting for a drop-top version of Audi’s R8 won’t have to wait much longer. The car is set to debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September and it appears as though Audi is out doing some final testing – as these Nürburgring spy photos show. 

According to two more than one reliable source, Audi is set to unveil the roadster version of its awesome R8 at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September. But that isn’t the only R8 set to debut.

Audi released all the information on the new V10-powered R8 months ago but until now they have never shown the vehicle – to the press or anyone else for that matter.