Audi R8

Audi R8

Any sports car that can combine peerless performance with being a perfectly acceptable daily driver has to be remarkable. Ten years ago, Audi introduced the R8 which did just that. The old V8 engine might have gone but the latest iteration of this exciting and prestigious car proves the fact that this is truly a supercar that can be used every day.

Underpinning the R8’s design is a strong, lightweight chassis. The body is aluminium. This combination of both adds lightness and strength.

The Exterior

Sharing many parts with its motor racing counterpart, The Audi R8 sports the famous four rings on the familiar ‘singleframe’ grille with the headlights merging into the front end with a wider front splitter below. The car’s stance can best be described as muscular, with twin side blades leading to the engine air intakes and over the flared wheel arches. The rear end is dominated by the huge twin exhaust outlets and aero is taken care of by the discreet rear wing. Most sports cars look good, but the latest R8 is something special.

Intrigued? It gets better: Prospective buyers wishing to import a new Audi R8 from the UK to Kenya, New Zealand or other global destinations will be keen to know that there is a choice of three exterior packages. Variously, depending on which version of the V12 engine is selected, these packs add highlights to the front splitter, the side trims and the diffuser. As an option, the Audi rings and badges on the exterior can be painted in high-gloss black.

As standard, the R8 comes with 19” wheels. Ultralight 20” fully milled wheels in five-V dynamic design with sport tyres, aid precise handling and are available as an option along with remarkable ceramic brakes and a weight-saving carbon-fibre front splitter. Other optional safety kit includes a reversing camera, a self-parking system, automatic high-beam headlights and even LED laser headlights.

The Interior

The R8 is all about the road and its cabin is beautifully designed for driving. As ever, Audi's Virtual Cockpit is a key part of this but this time taking over all the usual duties from separate screens and controls as found in most other cars from this premium German brand. All the information is concentrated in the digital instrument binnacle, which means the driver has to spend less time looking away from the road.

Luggage is not a priority in the R8 but there’s enough space in the front boot (trunk) for a weekend bag and there’s also storage space behind the seats. There’s a surprising amount of space for the occupants and the cabin feels spacious and airy. Door pockets and cup holders are well placed for bits and pieces.

The multi-function leather-covered steering wheel is just about perfect. There’s plenty of adjustment for the brilliant figure-hugging seats so finding that ideal driving position is straightforward and the view out is clear and uncluttered, almost like a normal saloon.

Driving The R8

This is what it’s all about. Power, and plenty of it, is derived from a naturally-aspirated 5.2 litre V10 which is offered in three states of tune. There’s 533bhp in the limited edition rear-wheel drive model but most buyers will prefer the 562bhp option with Quattro four-wheel drive or even the 612bhp Performance model which is also four-wheel drive. The beauty of this engine is that there is no turbo-charger meaning no lag but instead instant response and a thrilling soundtrack.

The Audi Drive Select modes are available as usual. ‘Plus’ models models get a special additional button on the steering wheel which puts the car into Performance Mode, with the added ability to choose settings for snow, wet or dry conditions. In the dry in this mode the R8 is spectacular, with huge performance on tap, but it doesn’t always have to be about speed.

In the introduction it was mentioned that this car is fine as an every day driver; the R8 is not all about speed and noise. It is truly useable. When driven gently all is quiet and there are no aural theatrics. The V10 is entirely happy to cruise sedately and this is perhaps one of the most remarkable things about the car, featuring cylinder-on-demand technology, which allows it to shut-down five of the ten cylinders when not required, saving fuel and lowering CO² output. All that said, downshift the automatic gearbox on the aluminium paddle and push the accelerator and the true heart of the car comes to life.

Is A Supercar Like This Reliable?

It’s a fair question as some ultra-machines can be fragile; fortunately it is not the case here. The R8 has been honed over ten years of production; Audi build quality is second-to-none and the V10 engine, while not the latest in high-technology, is known to be reliable and very consistent. Find out more about this wonderful driving experience from MHH International.