The Audi R8 is one of the less-conspicuous supercars available and hints at a refined taste for luxury and performance in a comparatively understated package. When it was released in 2006, the R8 was available only as a 4.2 Liter V8. Nearly immediately, Audi slapped a 5.2-liter FSI V10 into the Quattro coupe, and the powerhouse from the GmbH Audi division rocketed into supercar territory. This week, we had the opportunity to check out the brand-new R8 V10 Plus Prestige edition loaned to us by none other than Jamie Orr, a well-known VW, and Audi performance personality. He brought us his R8 for a little tune-up courtesy of Supersprint. The currently unreleased Supersprint Sport Exhaust for the brand-new R8 is just what the Audi needs to match its bark to its bite, and they partnered with Jamie and us to make sure the exhaust matched the grace and beauty of the sleek coupe.

This particular R8 is brimming with all the features available from Audi. Most notably, the carbon fiber trim spilling from every line of the car is a dead giveaway for the V10 plus. A multitude of sensors and cameras lie hidden perfectly in nooks, crannies, and angular design aspects of the car to provide visual and spatial information to the driver situated in the quilted interior. The white stitching on black quilted patterns adorns the seats, headliner, and other bits of the interior to differentiate from your run-of-the-mill R8. The only thing it needs is a screaming exhaust system…

Supersprint sent us their new Sport exhaust to test for fitment and function, and our first impressions of the system were those similar to opening the surprise N64 on Christmas morning back in the 90’s. Something about seeing the rear bumper cover and carbon fiber splash covers both tarnish the magic of seeing a supercar as a solid piece of perfection, but also offers this giddy feeling like peeking behind the curtain of a stage production and seeing all the actors frantically running around mid-costume change. The wrapping, twisting, coiled exhaust system lives between the bumper cover and the engine bay in the rear of the car, packed in like a snake between two rocks. This aggressive exhaust installed looks incredible, but the real test is how it opens up the roaring small-block V10.

As the rear covers were reinstalled, the electricity and anticipation were palpable. The first start, of course, happened before the wheels hit the ground on the lift. The whole ECS Studio shook with the cold start rumble emitted from the quad-tip Supersprint pipes. It only sounded better as the idle calmed and the throttle was blipped to release a screaming wail followed by a series of cracks and pops that almost sound organic as fuel was dumped into the cylinders. We carefully maneuvered the car into our lot and handed Jaime the keys once more to see if the exhaust met his expectations…

The R8 left the parking lot and instantly changed from a docile porch dog to a vicious attack canine as it ripped up the street. The sound was similar to hearing an F1 car from a distance as it took off and disappeared up the street. The unmistakable sound of the irregularly-firing V10 is amplified and bolstered by Supersprint’s impressive exhaust system to a degree that anyone within the huge radius of audible range can’t control the hair-raising reaction to its attention-demanding wail.

We were heartily impressed with both the R8 V10 Plus Prestige edition and the Supersprint Sport Exhaust that helped make it that much more lovable. We look forward to seeing the Supersprint exhaust ramping into full production so we can encourage every R8 owner to make their engine sound like a 10 cylinder chorus of angels with every touch of the throttle. Be sure to check out our other Supersprint exhaust options for your car and give @jamiexoe a like and follow on social media!

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