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In-depth reviews

Audi R8 review - MPG, CO2 and running costs

Stop-start and cylinder-on-demand technology help with overall efficiency, but the R8 is still quite costly to run

Overall Auto Express Rating

4.5 out of 5

MPG, CO2 and Running Costs Rating

4.0 out of 5

Price
£135,255 to £171,360
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Running costs won’t be that important to R8 buyers, but it's good to know that the Audi is a £130,000 car that can deliver the kind of performance that would match more expensive supercars.

In its lower 562bhp state of tune, the R8 V10 rear-wheel-drive model has claimed economy of 22.4mpg on the combined cycle and CO2 emissions from 285g/km. Efficiency drops slightly to 21.7mpg, with CO2 from 295g/km if you go for the 611bhp V10 Performance. 

If you plan on using the car on track, then tyres and brake pads will need replacing more regularly, although the ceramic discs (standard on the R8 Performance) should last a long time. But, servicing is expensive, and three services on the Audi will set you back around £3,500.

Insurance

Unsurprisingly, the R8 sits in the top group 50 for insurance, along with all of its close rivals.

Depreciation

Over an average three-year ownership period, expert data suggests the R8 Coupe will retain around 52 per cent of its original list price, with the Spyder model a little behind on 49 per cent. By comparison, a Porsche 911 coupe will hold onto nearer 70 per cent of its value over the same period.

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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.

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