Skip advert
Advertisement

Audi R8

Fantastic handling, outstanding performance and looks that stop traffic, the R8 is an outstanding car

If one car signifies how far Audi has come in the 29 years since the original Quattro was unleashed, it’s the R8. The mid-engined two-seater is a top-flight supercar to rival the best in the world, and it has elevated Audi to new levels of performance and desirability.

With quattro a recognised brand, and years of experience building aluminium-bodied road cars, the firm felt the time was right to make its ultimate high-performance machine. And the R8 is a genuine triumph: even now, two years after it was introduced, its stunning looks are enough to stop traffic. Plus, the cabin is beautifully crafted and the quality is superb.

Look through the glass engine cover and you will find the same 4.2-litre V8 that powered the RS4. It revs eagerly and is even more tuneful than before. Performance is scintillating: in our 2007 road test (Issue 960) we recorded a 0-60mph sprint time of 4.3 seconds, and the R8 has a top speed of 187mph.

With a choice of manual or twin-clutch R tronic transmissions there’s an R8 for everyone. But it’s the traditional open-gate six-speed manual that will appeal to keen drivers – the light clutch and smooth shift action make it far more user-friendly than you would expect.

The beauty of the R8 is that no other supercar is so accessible. It flatters inexperienced drivers with its perfectly weighted controls, four-wheel-drive traction and unbelievable grip. Yet take it to the limit on the track and it comes alive. It rewards experienced motorists as the quattro system sends enough power to the rear to allow controllable tail slides, and few other mid-engined cars are as balanced or poised. Plus, with the Magnetic Ride option, the suspension absorbs bumps in a way you simply don’t expect from a serious performance car.

Brilliant to drive, stunning to look at and wonderfully engineered, Audi’s first supercar is a masterpiece. It’s the culmination of 100 years of automotive manufacturing – and with the even faster V10 model now on sale, there’s clearly more to come as the company enters its second century in business

Details

WHY: Audi's first stab at a production supercar is a winner

Skip advert
Advertisement
In This Review

New & used car deals

Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £18,725Avg. savings £4,223 off RRP*Used from £15,337
Renault Clio

Renault Clio

RRP £16,160Avg. savings £2,721 off RRP*Used from £8,711
Audi A3

Audi A3

RRP £26,295Avg. savings £2,513 off RRP*Used from £5,500
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,820Avg. savings £5,065 off RRP*Used from £14,748
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k
Kia PV5 Passenger - show front

New Kia PV5 Passenger MPV undercuts the VW ID.Buzz by a huge £25k

New entry into the electric people carrier market undercuts the VW ID. Buzz by a significant margin
News
29 Apr 2025
New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645
Kia PV5 Cargo on display at Commercial Vehicle Show - front 3/4

New 2025 Kia PV5 van starts from a tempting £22,645

All-new entry into the van market promises competitive pricing and comes with a range of up to 247 miles
News
30 Apr 2025
New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal
Volkswagen ID.3 Pure Match - front

New Volkswagen ID.3 Match 2025 review: attractive price boosts EV’s appeal

The value-focused Volkswagen ID.3 Match performs well and is easy to live with
Road tests
28 Apr 2025