VIDEO: Underground Racing builds first ever twin-turbo 2017 Audi R8

If I recall correctly, there hasn’t been a single person in the world to call the new, second-generation Audi R8 slow. In R8 Plus trim, its 5.2 liter naturally-aspirated V10 develops 610 hp and can get the car from 0-60 mph in around 3 seconds flat. In fact, we’ve even seen 0-60 mph runs in as low as 2.8 seconds. It also has a top speed north of 200 mph. So there’s never been any talk of it being a slow car.

However, the maniacs at Underground Racing (and we mean maniacs in the best possible way) have decided that that the new Audi R8 needed more power. As Underground Racing is used to tuning some of the world’s most insane Lamborghinis, the Audi R8 was a pretty logical movie, being that the R8 and Lamborghini Huracan are so similar underneath the skin. So the tuning company fitted two turbochargers to the R8’s V10 and applied a comprehensive software tune.


There are no official power figures, but given the potential of the 5.2 liter Lamborghini-derived V10 and the track record of UR, it’s most likely well north of 1,000 hp. Mated to Audi’s S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox, the Underground Racing Audi R8 V10 simply fires off the line in this video. It seems to be struggling for traction even into second and third gear, despite having Quattro all-wheel drive and being on a prepped surface. This video is just a short teaser and there should be more to come, but this tuned R8 looks fantastically brutal.

We’ll admit that there’s a bit of cringe-worthiness to this car. The absolute best part of the new Audi R8 isn’t its violent performance, it’s the spectacular noise that emanates from that glorious V10. If you haven’t heard the wonderful roar and shriek from the R8’s V10, then your life isn’t yet fulfilled. This UR-tuned Audi R8 still sounds good, and the rush of the turbos does sound cool, but nothing beats the naturally-aspirated wail of that V10.

Despite the sound loss, though, this twin-turbo Audi R8 is an absolute monster and worth checking out.

CategoriesR8 Tuning Video
Nico DeMattia
