Early in the 21^st century, Audi found a true supercar in the form the R8. The first version of the two-seater came with a 4.2-litre V8 engine planted behind the seats. In 2009, Audi unveiled the faster, more powerful version of its flagship offering and tagged it as the R8 V10. We are in 2019 and Audi wants to pay respect to that 10-cylinder, naturally-aspirated power-plant. To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the 5.2-litre V10 FSI engine, the folks from Ingolstadt have created the R8 V10 Decennium (Latin for Decade). Only 222 examples of it will ever exist and all will be the coupé form.

As soon as you look at it, you know that there’s something special about it. On the outside, the Audi R8 V10 Decennium flaunts an exclusive, matt-finish body colour which the company calls Daytona Grey. If you don’t like it, the limited-run sports car is also available in metallic Suzuki Grey, pearl Daytona Grey, metallic Floret Silver, metallic Mythos Black, metallic Ascari Blue and metallic Kemora Grey. To get some contrast into the picture, the 20-inch wheels and the intake manifold of the V10 engine are finished in matt bronze. The Audi rings, badges, side sills, front splitter and the diffuser are painted gloss black. The side blades and the ORVM caps are carved from gloss carbon fibre.

Complementing the exterior, the interior of the Audi R8 V10 Decennium is all black. However, to add a dash of difference in the mix, several panel inlays are made from gloss carbon fibre, whereas two different types of stitching finishes – gloss black and copper tone – are found on the sports seats. The copper-coloured stitching is also found on the selector lever, steering wheel, centre armrest and on the door panels. Several Decennium logos are to be found in the cabin like on the centre console, the doors and the door sills. Even the door light projects the Decennium logo on the ground. Just like all R8 variants, the limited-run version comes with Audi’s Virtual Cockpit and the MMI Navigation Plus system by default.

Have we forgotten about something? Oh yes, the engine. In the Audi R8 V10 Decennium, the V10 pumps out 620PS of power and 580Nm of torque. The oomph is plenty to complete the 0-100kmph sprint in 3.1 seconds and reach a top speed of 331kmph. The celebratory edition goes on sale this spring and will cost 222,000 euros in Germany.