Audi eliminated the manual transmission in the second-generation R8, frustrating all Audi fans. But due to Underground Racing, you can now equip your new Audi R8 with a manual transmission. There is a catch, though.
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Is the R8 a manual or an automatic?
A three-pedal layout is the most engaging and enjoyable method to get the most out of an automobile, as every red-blooded automotive enthusiast is aware of. Heinz Hollerweger, the CEO of Audi’s Quattro GmbH, has a different perspective.
You can’t really blame him in some aspects. When questioned why the 2018 Audi R8 will only be available with a dual-clutch, Hollerweger made a point to remind out that today’s most sophisticated automated gearboxes simply outperform manuals at the track.
At the 2015 Geneva auto show, he observed, “You have to look at lap times,” adding that, at least in Europe, demand for Audi R8s with manual transmissions was practically nonexistent. When questioned about it, Hollerweger didn’t budge. Hollerweger thinks there’s no use in offering a manual on the new car because a stick-shift just cannot match the performance of the R8’s dual-clutch transmission and few purchasers requested one.
Of course, we beg to differ, and we were quite surprised by his claim that driving a car with a manual transmission is not a more interesting experience. But regrettably, that seems to be the way of the world, and given the direction that manufacturers of supercars, like Ferrari and others, have been taking recently, it is hardly a surprise.
One more piece of information regarding the Audi R8 was provided by Hollerweger: a V-8 will not be offered for the vehicle. We now understand why the new R8 debuted alongside the V-10, which was a bit of a surprise. We don’t care about a V-8, Hollerweger stated. He also said that demand for the eight-cylinder was weak and that demand for the “iconic” V-10 significantly exceeded estimates for the first-generation model.
If you want an Audi R8, you may choose between a 5.2-liter V-10 engine with 520 or 610 horsepower for this generation at least, but you are limited to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. You may also choose the R8 e-tron, which has a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack, electric motors, and a 280-mile range, if you don’t mind waiting a year or more, at least in Europe.
Therefore, those of you who own first-generation Audi R8s with V-8 engines and manual transmissions suddenly possess a pretty rare vehicle. Enjoy.
Can I get an automated Audi R8?
V10 Audi R8 The base R8 V10 has a rear-wheel drive system, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and a 562-horsepower V10 engine. It costs about $143,000 for coupe variants and $155,000 for convertible models.
Did the Audi R8 have a manual transmission?
The gated manual transmission was the best feature of the original Audi R8. Audi permanently eliminated the third pedal with the introduction of the current-generation vehicle in 2015, leaving customers with only the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, there is still some hope for the devotees of the manual. You can still have a true six-speed in your new R8 if you want one. To accomplish this, you’ll merely need to turn to the aftermarket.
Are Audis automatic or manual?
UPDATE 8/16/2018: According to Audi, the A5 coupe’s six-speed manual transmission will also be discontinued for the 2019 model year.
It appears that we can’t save all of the manuals. The current-generation Audi A4’s six-speed manual transmission will no longer be an option for the redesigned 2019 model, as it has been for the 2017 model year. The A5 coupe will also only be available with an automatic transmission starting with the 2019 model year. This eliminates the stick shift from the entire Audi U.S. lineup.
As you could have predicted, Audi is eliminating the stick-shift option due to insufficient customer demand. According to reports, only 5% of A4 buyers in the US opted for the six-speed manual over the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that is offered. It’s a shame because the manual enhanced performance while also boosting driver involvement. In our tests, the dual-clutch automatic A4 took 5.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, while the manual A4 needed 5.1 seconds.
Audi’s transmission is manual.
2019 marks the end of Audi’s manual transmission manufacture in the US. But fear not, auto enthusiaststhere are still plenty of possibilities to find your next Audi stick shift if you’re willing to settle for a secondhand car.
Many drivers will agree that shifting into gear and hitting the road is the best feeling, but the future of the American manual transmission is not promising. Nearly 99 percent of new US car sales in 2019 were automatics, despite many brands still carrying the torch.
Can the R8 be used as an everyday driver?
A surprisingly good alternative for a daily driver is the Audi R8. The two seats are comfy and roomy enough to make a short or even a long commute bearable, but the interior isn’t very big and it’s not a viable alternative if you want to have more than one passenger.
Purchasing a secondhand R8 will help reduce your anxiety regarding mileage increases, but the vehicles are unusual enough that you may log miles without worrying about the vehicle’s value depreciating.
Which models of Audi are manual?
Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is well known. Thankfully, there are still a few Audi quattros that can be had with a manual transmission. Both the hot rod version, the S4 3.0 TFSI, and the 2016 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI can be specified with a 6-speed manual transmission and quattro. It’s interesting that the quattro A4 offers a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission while the front-wheel-drive A4 comes with a continuously variable automatic. Quattro and either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed S Tronic automatic transmission are standard on the S4. There are several different gearbox, drive, and engine options available for each model. Congratulations, Audi.
Is there a clutch on the Audi R8?
The first significant upgrade to the supercar since its 2007 debut is the 2014 Audi R8. A range-topping V10 Plus variant, updated aesthetics, and a seven-speed dual-clutch sequential manual transmission are all included. The 2013 R8 won’t exist. Instead, until the 2014 model goes on sale in the US on March 20, 2013, Audi will continue to sell the 2012 model.
New bumpers and LED lights on the exterior set the redesigned R8 apart from earlier models. The rear turn signals use 30 LEDs to create a sweeping look. The leather seats in the cabin can now be ordered with a diamond-stitch design.
The new V10 Plus model, which sits at the top of the R8 line, weighs approximately 110 pounds less than the standard V10 model. This weight reduction is primarily attributable to the use of more carbon fiber, forged aluminum wheels, carbon brakes, aluminum suspension wishbones, and a conventional suspension in place of the magnetic damping system. A final 25 horsepower from the 5.2-liter V10 brings the output to 550 horsepower.
Sport bucket seats are available on European versions, and while they are quite supportive and pleasant for tiny passengers, they can be a little narrow for larger people. Because they lack side airbags, they won’t travel to the United States, which is regrettable.
In keeping with the V10 Plus’s commitment to pure performance, it is exclusively offered as a coupe. I apologize, Spyder fans.
The introduction of the new seven-speed dual-clutch S-tronic sequential manual transmission, which replaces the previous single-clutch R-tronic unit, is the biggest news. Unlike the R-tronic, which required sequential engagement of each gear for quicker shifts, the internally developed gearbox is brand-new and has the ability to skip gears. The gated six-speed manual transmission is still an option on all three R8 modelsthe V8, V10, and V10 Pluswhich will please driving purists.
In Italy at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, we performed our first dance with the 2014 R8. Although the motorcycle track is full of sharp curves, there are a few straightaways where we could stretch the legs of the S-tronic-equipped V10 Plus. As we accelerated out of the pit lane, the V10’s roar bounced off the metal guard rails, creating pure song. We really enjoyed the seamless and quick gear upshifts as we approached the first bend. With solid pedal feedback, the standard carbon ceramic brakes effectively reduced the speed prior to corners. Weighty, communicative, and receptive to inputs is steering.
The R8’s tendency to understeer was made clear by the tight turns, where the front 19-inch Pirelli Pzero Corsa tires struggled to turn the vehicle. The R8’s rear did become a touch unsteady when applying severe braking, which was our other minor issue.
We spent two days testing various 2014 R8 variations, all of which were equipped with the dual-clutch gearbox, to get some real-world driving experience. With Sport mode engaged, the gearbox executed seamless upshifts quickly in every vehicle. Even amid rash driving, downshifts were crisp. However, there is no denying that the S-tronic is excellent. In the hierarchy of dual-clutch transmissions, we would place Ferrari’s and probably the Nissan GT-R unit above the Audi unit.
The R8 is the ideal daily supercar, as we discovered with our long-term test car from a few years ago. The cabin is adequately isolated from road and wind noises when idling and is comfortable with the magnetic suspension relaxed.
Although the roads we traveled on were of the well-maintained European sort, we found the V10 Plus’ standard suspension to be very compliant for everyday driving. When we get time with one in the United States, we’ll have to wait and see how it handles damaged pavement.
The tunnels, where both the V8 and V10 could roar their beautiful sounds, were another pleasure of our trip.
The R8 is perfect for you if you want to stand out from the crowd of Porsche 911 owners and intend to use your supercar every day. According to Audi, two sets of golf clubs may fit behind the coupe’s seats, while the front trunk has a fair amount of space for cargo. There is no disputing that the R8 offers respectable kick with the V8 and tons of performance with the V10.
For those who dislike operating clutch pedals, the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission is now genuinely tempting. Many people were put off by the R-shoddy tronic’s operation. The S-tronic significantly improves on earlier errors.
The R8’s design attracts attention if you like it, whether it’s from children at petrol stations who point and smile happily or from mature men driving down the freeway taking a few pictures on their smartphones. The R8 is distinctive, as a supercar ought to be.
Yes, there are solutions available that might feel more incisive while driving. However, no other supercar performs as well on as many fronts as the Audi R8.
A and S Models
Sedans or hatchbacks are the types of Audi cars that start with the letter A. The size of the car increases as the next number increases. Accordingly, the A3 is Audi’s smallest sedan, while the A8 is their biggest.
The majority of Audi sedans and hatchbacks have a model that starts with the letter S. Sport, denoted by the letter S, refers to a bigger, more potent engine with more horsepower and torque. For instance, the S6 resembles the A6 in terms of look but has an 8-cylinder, 450-horsepower engine as opposed to the A6’s, which has a 6-cylinder, 333-horsepower engine.
Q Models
Q stands for quattro, the renowned all-wheel drive system from Audi. SUVs, crossovers, and wagons that begin with the letter Q always have quattro as standard equipment. The Q3 is the smallest and the Q7 is the largest, just like with Audi cars.
R Models
Roadsters with mid-engines and two seats, like the R8, are performance sports cars. Audi Space Frame, a high strength aluminum frame with integrated panels that is lighter and stronger than conventional steel, serves as the foundation for the body of these vehicles.
RS Models
RS stands for “Rennsport,” which is the German equivalent of “Race-Sport.” The most powerful and high-performing Audi models are called RS models. Audi typically only makes one RS model at a time, and the current RS 7 boasts a staggering 605 horsepower TFSI engine that accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 3.3 seconds.
TT Models
The Tourist Trophy, a motorcycle racing competition held on the Isle of Man for more than a century, inspired the naming of TT models, which deviate from the naming convention’s set norms. Compact sports vehicles known as TT variants have transversely mounted turbocharged engines. The TT is offered in the aforementioned S and RS variants.
How many gears are there in an Audi R8?
Two V-10 engine options are available for the R8, and both are powerful enough to rattle your eardrums with their unearthly exhalations. The seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in the R8 isn’t the most seamless transmission. On occasion, it downshifts too quickly, resulting in neck-snapping acceleration and an instantaneous upshift. The base R8 has an adaptive suspension as standard equipment, whereas Performance variants have a more aggressive fixed-damper arrangement. Both do a great job of absorbing bumps and offer a comfortable ride that you can endure on lengthy journeys without getting tired. The R8’s flexibility has a downside, though: It doesn’t handle turns as confidently as its competitors when in full assault mode, and it seems less composed than you might anticipate from a supercar. The typical steering configuration is straightforward and provides the driver’s hands with enough sensation when transmitting information from the road.
When did Audi discontinue their manuals?
Audi will stop selling manual transmissions in its American models starting with the 2019 model year. Although nothing has been officially announced for Canada, we may assume manual gearboxes will suffer the same fate here.
The German automaker’s justification is succinct and to the point: barely 5% of customers choose them.
The A4 and A5 models, including the coupe version of the latter model, will only be offered with an automatic transmission starting in 2019. This was verified by Audi to Car and Driver magazine. The current 6-speed dual-clutch transmission will be replaced at the same time by a 7-speed model.
Now, statistically speaking, that 5% looks really insignificant. There is no disputing, however, that despite declining demand, several manufacturers continue to offer manual transmissions in their product lines. Nissan, for instance, continues to sell the 2019 Sentra with a manual transmission even though only 2% of customers ultimately opt for it.
Subaru, on the other hand, has removed the option from its 2019 Legacy and 2019 Outback models due to insufficient demand, which resulted in sales percentages of 3 percent and 4 percent, respectively.
The main reason why manufacturers frequently maintain the manual transmission option is so that they can advertise a cheaper beginning price. The higher trims that the majority of buyers ultimately choose typically do not offer a manual transmission as an option.
These transmissions used to allow for lower fuel usage compared to their automated counterparts. But this is no longer the case; in fact, the CVT is the best fuel-saving device available today (continuously variable transmission).
Of course, the driving enjoyment offered by these manual gearboxes is the x factor connected with them, but it is obvious that the majority of today’s buyers do not place a high premium on it.
There are still 2018 models in dealer inventories if you want an Audi with a manual transmission, but time is running out.