Skip advert
Advertisement
In-depth reviews

Audi R8 review

The Audi R8 is a proper supercar that's devastatingly fast, yet as easy to drive as a TT

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.5 out of 5

Price
£135,255 to £171,360
  • Supercar looks
  • Spine-tingling V10
  • Sharp handling
  • Limited storage
  • Running costs
  • Rivals are more engaging
Find your Audi R8
Offers from our trusted partners on this car and its predecessors...
Hassle-free way to a brand new car
Or are you looking to sell your car?
9/10 sellers got the price they expected
Advertisement

The Audi R8 is a supercar from a dying breed. As makers add turbochargers to their cars to meet ever-stricter emissions targets, the naturally aspirated engine is falling out of favour. In some ways, the R8 is a fantastic last hurrah. But, while the 5.2-litre V10 is a focal point of the car, there's much more to the R8 than simply a big engine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

It's as agreeable as an Audi TT on a daily basis, if you can live with the running costs, and its ease of use would put some superminis to shame. The quattro four-wheel drive means it has plenty of traction and grip, but unlike many fast Audis, it's enjoyable to drive on track, too. It's nimble and agile, while the V10 packs a punch that's accompanied by a thrilling soundtrack.

About the Audi R8

There's no doubt about how much of an impact the Audi R8 made when it arrived in 2006, and it's still one of the most desirable supercars for sale today. The current model is the second generation, which hit showrooms in 2015, this time just with V10 power and no smaller V8 variant. As before, there are coupe and convertible R8 Spyder models offered. A facelift came out in 2018, only improving the breed. 

The R8 has the looks, performance, handling and sense of occasion to make it a genuine supercar. It has a wide range of rivals, too, the closest of which is the mechanically similar Lamborghini Huracan. Other (new and used) models to consider with the engine behind the driver include the Porsche 911, McLaren 570S/600LT, Honda NSX and BMW i8, while front-engined cars that are alternatives include the Mercedes-AMG GT, Jaguar F-Type R, Nissan GT-R and Aston Martin Vantage.

Advertisement - Article continues below
Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

All R8s are V10-powered with a twin-clutch seven-speed auto gearbox. The Performance quattro models deliver 611bhp with four-wheel-drive as standard, while Audi also offers a 562bhp rear-wheel-drive variant.

0-62mph for the V10 Performance quattro takes 3.1 seconds, and this is easily achievable courtesy of the standard-fit launch control system, while a top speed of 205mph means that this R8 is the fastest production Audi ever built.

The sharp looks of the R8 Mk2 were given a subtle tweak as part of a 2018 facelift, while the minimalist cabin was given some adjustments, too. You still get Audi's great Virtual Cockpit as standard, which means all of the cabin functions aside from the air conditioning are controlled via steering wheel buttons and a large screen where the dials would normally sit.

Prices for the R8 start at around £132,000. The R8 Spyder convertible is around £9,000 more than the coupe, with the most expensive drop-top - the V10 Performance quattro Edition - costing more than £167,000. You can pay even more if you raid the extensive options list, which allows you to add different packs or individual options, but either way means the price can escalate quickly.

Don't expect running costs to let you off after shelling out all that cash, either. That V10 likes to drink - especially if you use the revs to hear that glorious soundtrack - but with a lot of cars gaining turbochargers to help reduce emissions, for some it's a price worth paying to hear this last hurrah for the naturally aspirated petrol engine.

For an alternative review of the Audi R8, visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk...

Skip advert
Advertisement

Which Is Best

Cheapest

  • Name
    5.2 FSI [540] V10 2dr S Tronic RWD
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £117,225

Most Economical

  • Name
    5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance 2dr S Tronic RWD
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £131,725

Fastest

  • Name
    5.2 FSI V10 Quattro Performance 2dr S Tronic [C+S]
  • Gearbox type
    Semi-auto
  • Price
    £149,025
Executive editor

Paul was employed across automotive agency and manufacturer-side sectors before joining Auto Express in 2020 as our online reviews editor. After a brief sojourn at a national UK newspaper, Paul returned as executive editor where he now works closely with our commercial partners.

Skip advert
Advertisement

More on R8

Best used sports cars 2024
Best used sports cars - header image
Best cars & vans
15 Jan 2024

Best used sports cars 2024

These are the top used sports cars for those looking for some fun but usable second-hand wheels
New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road
Abt XGT - front
News
23 Nov 2023

New Abt XGT is an Audi R8 race car made legal for the road

The Abt DTM racing team has taken the Audi R8 supercar to the extreme
Wild Audi R8 is a 640bhp track racer by Abt
Abk Audi R8 GT3 - front cornering
News
27 Oct 2023

Wild Audi R8 is a 640bhp track racer by Abt

Track-focused R8 spawns huge aero and is fittingly tested on the Nurburgring
Skip advert
Advertisement
New Audi R8 V10 GT RWD 2022 review
Audi R8 V10 GT RWD - front
Road tests
23 Nov 2022

New Audi R8 V10 GT RWD 2022 review

Audi has saved the best for last - the new R8 V10 GT RWD is a stunning machine
Audi R8 successor will be fully electric
Audi R8 successor - front (watermarked)
News
5 Oct 2022

Audi R8 successor will be fully electric

An Audi supercar is in the works and it could have even greater levels of performance
New Audi R8 V10 GT RWD unveiled as firm’s most focused road car
Audi R8 V10 GT RWD - front
News
3 Oct 2022

New Audi R8 V10 GT RWD unveiled as firm’s most focused road car

Limited to 333 examples, the new Audi R8 V10 GT RWD serves as a farewell to the scintillating 5.2-litre V10
New Audi R8 Performance RWD Edition 2022 review
Audi R8 Performance RWD Edition - front tracking
Road tests
13 May 2022

New Audi R8 Performance RWD Edition 2022 review

Audi’s new R8 Performance RWD gets a power uplift and some aesthetic tweaks, making it even more appealing than its predecessor
New 2021 Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD arrives with 562bhp
Audi R8 Performance RWD - front
News
7 Oct 2021

New 2021 Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD arrives with 562bhp

Audi shuffles sports car range with new Performance-only R8 V10 line-up
Audi R8 RWD joins new-look line-up on permanent basis
Audi R8 RWD Coupe - front
News
6 Nov 2019

Audi R8 RWD joins new-look line-up on permanent basis

The 532bhp Audi R8 RWD to join brand’s supercar line-up from early next year as a permanent fixture
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi R8 LMS GT2 unveiled at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Audi R8 LMS GT2 - front
News
5 Jul 2019

Audi R8 LMS GT2 unveiled at Goodwood Festival of Speed

Audi Sport customer racing has launched the track-only Audi R8 LMS GT2, designed to comply with 2020 GT2 racing regs
Used Audi R8 review
Used Audi R8 - front
Used car tests
12 Jun 2019

Used Audi R8 review

A full used buyer’s guide on the Audi R8 supercar covering the R8 Mk1 (2007-2015)
Skip advert
Advertisement
Porsche 911 vs Audi R8
911 vs R8 main
Car group tests
8 Jun 2019

Porsche 911 vs Audi R8

We pitch the new Porsche 911 against a revised Audi R8 V10 in this four-wheel drive supercar showdown
Limited edition Audi R8 Decennium
Audi R8 V10 Decennium - front
News
1 Mar 2019

Limited edition Audi R8 Decennium

Audi R8 V10 Decennium special edition celebrates ten years of the Audi R8 V10, strictly limited to 222 units
New Audi R8 2019 review
Audi R8 - front track
Road tests
19 Nov 2018

New Audi R8 2019 review

The revised 2019 Audi R8 does what the Audi R8 has always done best, delivering supercar drama in a usable everyday package
New 2019 Audi R8 facelift revealed with more power
Audi R8 - front
News
24 Oct 2018

New 2019 Audi R8 facelift revealed with more power

The updated Audi R8 supercar keeps its naturally aspirated V10, but power jumps to 562bhp in the base model and 612bhp in the Performance
Skip advert
Advertisement
Updated Audi R8 LMS GT3 teases 2019 road car facelift
Audi R8 LMS GT3 - Paris front
News
2 Oct 2018

Updated Audi R8 LMS GT3 teases 2019 road car facelift

Audi Sport reveals new GT3 at the Paris show with a look that will find its way to R8 road car
Audi R8 V10 Plus - best supercars
Best supercars - Audi R8 V10 Plus
Best cars & vans
22 Aug 2018

Audi R8 V10 Plus - best supercars

The Audi R8 has long been one of the best ‘everyday’ supercars, and this hasn’t changed despite losing the V8 option
New Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 revealed
Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 front
News
10 Jul 2018

New Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 revealed

Motorsport-inspired R8 special based on the V10 Plus limited to just five units in the UK, priced from £176,560
Audi R8 RWS vs Porsche 911 GT3
Audi R8 RWS vs Porsche 911 GT3 - header
Car group tests
16 May 2018

Audi R8 RWS vs Porsche 911 GT3

The new rear-wheel-drive Audi R8 takes on the Porsche 911 GT3 in a pure-bred sports car battle
New Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo review
Road tests
9 Apr 2018

New Audi e-tron Vision Gran Turismo review

We get behind the wheel of the monstrous 805bhp Audi e-tron Gran Turismo concept
New Audi R8 RWS 2018 review
Audi R8 RWS - front
Road tests
27 Feb 2018

New Audi R8 RWS 2018 review

Audi Sport removes R8’s front drive shafts for RWS model, but is it a sweeter, more rewarding driver’s car as a result?
Skip advert
Advertisement
Audi R8 Spyder review
Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus - road action
In-depth reviews
8 Jan 2018

Audi R8 Spyder review

The Audi A8 Spyder is pure theatre, with a trick folding roof and a screaming V10 soundtrack
New Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus 2017 review
Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus - front bumper action
Road tests
29 Sep 2017

New Audi R8 Spyder V10 plus 2017 review

Audi's R8 drop-top now comes with the most powerful version of the brand's storming V10