The second generation R8 takes even further Audi’s idea of an everyday supercar, adding more power and more comfort in what it’s called nowadays “progressive” design. Don’t get fooled by its mild new looks, it’s more of a beast than ever was.
PROS & CONS
Pros
Strong Points
- It Is Stupendously Fast
- It Features An Everyday Usability
Recommended Versions
- V10.! No! V10 Plus. No! V10! No!…
Cons
Weak Points
- Its “Progressive” Exterior Design
- The Interior Feels A Bit Dull, Though
Stay Away From
- You Can't Avoid Anything Related To It. Accept It As It Is.
Attention
Known Problems & Recalls
- None So Far
CAR DETAILS
Drive
Powertrain
When it first came out, in 2007, Audi's R8 instantly gained the "user-friendly" attribute. It was a stupendously safe car for a V10-keeper, thanks to the central-mounted engine and the quattro all-wheel-drive system.
Well, things are getting even more serious (still in a user-friendly way) with the second-generation model. It drops the V8 unit and keeps the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10, now with more power — up to 602 hp. Familiar figure? Think Huracán.
Regarding the performance, it's as wild as you'd expect: 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.1 seconds and a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h). It still can be called a user-friendly ride: it proves to be a real GT when the 7-speed automatic gearbox and the V10 engine are not seriously requested to glue your head to the headrest.
It has been developed with a competition car in mind — the R8 LMS that already won some GT3-class events and proven itself — and that should say more about the car than anything else.
Handling
The reference to Lamborghini Huracán is not resumed to the beasty V10 under the hood — it’s ampler than that. The two cars are platform related. Albeit the Italian bull and the German high-tech supercar share the ins and outs, the experience differs drastically from one to another.
The updated quattro all-wheel-drive system can transfer — in extreme cases — up to 100% of torque toward either axle and via the wheel-mounted checkered flag button (suggestively named Performance button) you can set how much do you want the rear axle to be part of the game. Choose, for example, Performance Dry and more torque will be transferred to the rear axle.
An optional variable damper system will transform your ride into a veritable GT that can cope admirably with unfriendly road surfaces. Through Drive Select, you are given the opportunity also to soften a little the damper while the transmission and engine are set to maximum delivery. That might be more useful than you think when you’re attacking bumpy B-roads.
Safety
Front, side, head and thorax airbags are included in R8’s standard safety package, along cruise control and parking sensors. For a car of its nature, the safety chapter is pretty well-covered.
The all-wheel-drive quattro also comes as standard, and the new carbon-fiber-and-aluminum lightweight architecture provides protection in case of an impact.
If you want more, you can opt for the LED laser headlights — they do an excellent job when the Sun is out — with an automatic beam, a self-parking assistant and reversing camera. You can also consider ceramic brakes — they come as standard on the Plus.
Interior
Comfort
If you choose the optional Magnetic Ride adaptive dampers, even the 20” wheels won’t bother your high comfort state. The car is nothing but wonderful — for a 602 hp 2-seater at least.
Quality
The Audi R8, as any Ingolstadt model, bears the manufacturer’s signature when it comes to interior quality. Everything seems neat, and almost every controller operation is a little haptic joy. Although it does not have easy-to-spot flaws, the Audi car familiar feeling makes the R8’s cabin not as special as you’d want it coming from a car like this. When you rival exotics, a little bit more boldness is welcome.
Practicality
If you play golf, here’s some good news for you: the 226-liter storage space between and behind the seats can accommodate a set of clubs. And that is also the biggest storage room available. The front boot can hold up to 112 liters, a figure sufficient for weekend travel plans, but nothing more.
Infotainment
Audi’s 12.3-inch virtual cockpit is big enough to render all the infotainment — including the MMI Navigation Plus, which comes as standard in the R8. You don’t have a central dash display, and the satnav’s actions are completed by the MMI controller sitting on the transmission tunnel and, in part, by the buttons on the steering wheel.
Budget
Efficiency
In an era everyone is looking for smaller-engine solutions — downsizing they say, Audi’s R8 gets rid of the supercharged 4.2-liter V8 and keeps the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10. With 19.1 mpg and 287 g/km CO2 emissions (for the V10 plus) it might not be the most considerate kid on the block, but it has a charisma found more and more infrequently: the naturally-aspirated V10 roar.
Regardless its power state, the engine features a cylinder deactivation system (only five pistons are working when you’re not stressing the throttle, and — thanks to the specially configured S-tronic — a free-wheeling mode (decoupling the engine when not required).
Equipment
You’ll find the level of equipment you expect in a €130k+ sports car. The Audi’s halo model comes well-equipped from the start — from the 19” wheels and LED headlamps/taillights with dynamic light indicators to the rotary MMI touchpad controller, the automatic air conditioning, and the electrically adjustable and heated Nappa leather seats you find in the cabin.
The V10 Plus version adds ceramic brakes as standard, along with a special carbon fiber aerodynamic kit and precise suspension tuning, bucket seats. All things mentioned until now are coming as standard equipment.
You can find (and tick) in the options list the Magnetic Ride suspension, Bang & Olufsen surround, laser headlights, sportier exhaust and 20” alloy wheels.
Acquisition
If you come to think of it, the Audi R8 is basically a mild version of Lamborghini’s Huracán. A proper supercar with the understanding of “comfort” notion, one that can act easily as your daily driver. It’s not cheap, but it’s Audi’s bona fide supercar.