Decennium edition marks a decade of Audi V10s.

Audi is celebrating the tenth anniversary of its mid-engined V10 supercar with a special edition offering. It’s called the Decennium and if you attended a posh school, you’ll know that means ‘decade’ in Latin.

Expect most of the 222 Decennium R8s to be finished in an exclusive Daytona grey surface colour, although customers will have option on five other, more vivid, hues. Differentiating the Decennium from other R8s is black gloss detailing on the front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser, which should contrast quite tidily with the Daytona grey’s matt finish.

Perhaps the most notable exterior styling detail to aid recognition of a Decennium R8 are its wheels and which are matt bronze in colour. The R8’s mid-mounted V10 powerplant, visible through its clear cover, also features bronzed intake manifolds, which are sure to appeal to engine bay aestheticists.

Inside there isn’t much difference from a standard R8 V10, but for the Decennium centre console logo and door sill badging. Open the door in a low-light or shaded environment and you’ll notice puddle lamps projecting an R8 Decennium logo onto the floor.

Mechanically the Decennium is no different from a regular R8 V10. That means you get a choice of 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated V10 in either 419- or 456kW, driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Find a high friction surface and if you disable your mechanical sympathy, the 456kW R8 Decennium will run a true 3.1 second 0-100kph time, before buffering at the edge of aerodynamics at 331kph. Not a traditional acceleration or speed statistic, but the R8 V10’s 8700rpm engine speed ceiling is a very novel part of its offering – especially in a world where turbocharged performance cars force you to shift gear a lot earlier than that.

Further Reading

Audi R8 (2019) International Launch Review

Facelifted Audi R8 and R8 Spyder Announced

Audi R8 V10 Spyder (2017) Quick Review

Audi R8 V10 Plus (2016) Review

Part 1: Audi R8 vs McLaren 570S with Drag Race

Part 2: Audi R8 vs McLaren 570S Track Race