The Number Of Vents Shows How Versatile The New Audi R8's Platform Is

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This is the new, sort of limited-edition Audi R8 E-Tron. It has a promised range of 280 miles, but not many vents. Except for a significant one.

The 2016 Audi R8 uses an upgraded, now hybrid aluminum/carbon fiber space frame designed to be the perfect base of a mid-engined sports car. And from that point on, the possibilities are almost endless.

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There's no talk about an entry-level V8 version yet, but Audi launched four versions of the R8 anyway. The difference between the two V10-powered road cars is marginal, so let's start looking at vents instead.

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Believe it or not, the R8 V10 Plus comes with a bunch of fake vents despite having acres of functional ones. Its whole grille, for starters.

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The R8 E-Tron doesn't have such a big mouth.

It does however come with a giant cut in the hood that helps cool all those microchips hidden under the metal.

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V10 Plus? Less so, as seen above.

It does have sufficient rear cooling though. Plus a wing.

The E-Tron is lacking both, although there's an active wing hidden there.

As for the now defunct side blades, the V10 Plus is cheating with the top half, but at least the big one is still a proper oxygen cemetery.

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The E-Tron comes with something completely different, and I'm not even sure how much air gets through behind that carbon piece.

What's certain is that the V10 Plus' brakes stay cooler on a hot summer track day.

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Basically, all I'm saying is that if you really, really want to get as much cooling as possible, you need to buy the LMS.

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That's essentially a collection of vents wrapped around a racing engine...

Is it hot in here?