Many voices have always affirmed that Audi he doesn't know how to make sports cars for the street. Throughout the history of the brand, great competition models have been discovered, such as the legendary Audi quattro or the Le Mans prototypes. Of these last ones was born the one that to date is the most important and radical sports car of the house, the Audi R8.
Presented to the public in September 2006, the R8 claims to be one of the most popular and popular sports cars on the market. Its design and performance have shown that Audi also knows how to make sporty models. Thanks in part to him. the Ingolstadt RS range is today one of the most important sagas, with such well-known developments as the Audi RS Avant 6 or Audi RS 5, among others.
The first generation of the R8 was on the market until 2015. It was then that a second generation was introduced that took the same principles and took them to a new level. In 2018 it is updated once and then also in 2021, including a final version in the fall of 2022. The last before ceasing production with no clear announcement of a successor.
Technical characteristics of the Audi R8
Under the slim and powerful body of the Audi R8 hides the MSS platform of the Volkswagen Group. This architecture, specially designed for high-performance sports cars, is the same used by other models of the German conglomerate such as the Lamborghini Huracán. Sister models that share a good percentage of development and even more components.
Audi puts up for sale two possible bodies for the R8. On the one hand the coupé edition, and on the other the convertible Spyder. The only difference between them is the deletion of the fixed roof and the modification of the engine cover, which becomes hidden in the roofless version. For the rest, the structure and configuration is the same, staying in a cabin limited to two seats with a very tight front trunk, 112 liters.
Only two passengers can travel on the back of the Audi R8. A generous interior space that is made up of fairly compact measurements. 4,43 meters long, 1,94 meters wide and a height of 1,24 meters. All this compressed in a weight of 1.670 kilograms. A contained weight thanks to the fact that it is entirely made of aluminium.
Mechanical range and gearboxes of the Audi R8
In past editions of the R8 there were several mechanical versions for sale. On the one hand a V8 biturbo and on the other an atmospheric V10. However, sales of the access unit fell short of expectations, and since its second generation the Audi R8 exclusively mounts a naturally aspirated 10-liter V5,2 FSI block which is capable of presenting two different powers.
The access version is limited to a maximum power of 570 horseswith 550 Nm of torque, for the Audi R8 Performance RWD. The same variant is presented for the access versions with four-wheel drive typical of the house. Above them are the units All-wheel drive performance and the latest rear-wheel drive GT unit, offering a maximum power of 620 horsepower with 580 Nm of torque.
The transmission is entrusted in all cases to a S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and 7-speed that has to cope with the excellent performance that the R8 is capable of delivering. From 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in just 3,1 seconds and top speed of 331 kilometers per hour. Without a doubt the most radical sports car in the history of Audi. For the next generation, the complete electrical conversion is being evaluated, using similar mechanics used in the The Audi e-tron GT.
Equipment of the Audi R8
Historically, sports cars have always been elusive to technology and comfort elements on board. Audi, known as a premium brand, wants to get rid of these prejudices, and for this it turns the R8 in one of the best equipped supercars on the market. In addition to that, we must add a collection of typical materials from the world of competition intermingled with the highest standards of the house.
Leather, Alcantara, carbon fiber or aluminum are concentrated in a perfectly finished cabin. Sportiness and comfort in equal parts so that going fast does not mean going unprotected. Unlike the rest of the house models, the R8 does not have several lines of equipment. The access equipment in all cases, regardless of the power level or the type of bodywork selected.
Despite its age, Audi has always kept the R8 updated, gradually including the latest generation systems. Interesting solutions are offered, but a typical customer of the Audi R8 will demand more elements, which we will find in the optional section. In addition to a varied set of exterior colors and wheels up to 20 inches, the R8 offers a lot of technology at a price that is not contained.
The Audi R8 on video
The Audi R8 of Km 0 and second hand
El Audi R8 It is one of the most exclusive and "expensive" models of all those manufactured by the German firm. For both reasons, finding units in the semi-new market or kilometer zero, it's complicated. Their depreciation average is in a 16,5 percent, one of the best on the market.
If we were interested in accessing a R8 de second hand, we find units registered in 2007 (first generation) with coupé bodywork and V8 mechanics with prices never less than 44.000 euros. A very interesting value, although the units have high mileage and expensive maintenance. The latest generation models are considerably more expensive and scarce, raising the minimum bill to 100.000 euros.
Rivals of the Audi R8
El Audi R8 It is part of a segment that, without being very popular in sales, is highly demanded and exclusive. We find many makes and models that directly rival the German, although not all sport the same configuration. The list includes important models such as the Porsche 911, Mercedes AMG GT, Ferrari 488, McLaren 540C, McLaren 570S and of course his twin brother, the Lamborghini Huracán. Although there are models that could be added to this exclusive list, they all offer similar performance at similar prices.
Highlight
engine V10
dynamic behavior
driving sensations
To improve
High price
Habitability and trunk capacity
Optional Equipment
Audi R8 Price
Exclusivity, performance and power are expensive at the Ingolstadt house. The supercar market is expensive, as the figures for the R8 show. In the cheapest of cases the Audi R8 has a starting price of 179.380 euros for 10 horsepower V570 RWD coupe. The Performance edition raises the minimum budget to 233.050 euros. The Spyder body is slightly more expensive, starting at €194.180 for the rear-wheel drive V10 and €247.850 for the V10 AWD.
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