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.
In This Article...
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.
A manual Audi R8 is there?
Your new Audi R8 will have a manual transmission thanks to Underground Racing. If you additionally purchase a twin-turbo package, the company famed for its high-horsepower V-10 builds will switch out the dual-clutch for a true six-speed. The gated manual transmission was the best feature of the original Audi R8.
The Audi R8 of 2021 is it automatic?
The base R8 V10 has a rear-wheel drive system, a seven-speed automatic transmission, a 532-horsepower V10 engine, and starts at $142,700 for coupe versions and $154,900 for convertible ones.
The Audi R8 has a stick shift, right?
Most supercars once contained naturally aspirated, fire-breathing beasts that were connected to the wheels by a reliable manual transmission. In contrast to its replacement, which can only be purchased with a self-shifting seven-speed gearbox, this first generation Audi R8 is a product of that age and it features the engaging six-speed stick shift.
The German supercar, which belongs to a very small and endangered species, has drawn attention from Forgestar because, you guessed it, it rides on one of their wheelsets. The CF5V is 8.5×19 inches at the front and 11×19 inches at the back, with a Y-spoke design and a gloss anthracite finish.
They twirl around the orange brake calipers that would ordinarily embrace the drilled rotors, in contrast to the Samoa Orange paint job of the R8. The exotic model’s high-end brakes quickly bring it to a complete halt, and its naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine propels it forward.
The vehicle accelerates to 62 mph (100 kph) in less than 4 seconds and, if the road and laws permit it, up to 196 mph with the 518 brake horsepower (525 ps / 386 kW) and 391 pound-feet (530 Nm) of torque produced (315 kph). Together with the wide selection of (for the age) safety equipment, the quattro all-wheel drive system improves traction in bad weather, making it a fantastic everyday driver.
Now, aside from the peak speed, this specific model’s straight-line performance might be on par with the best contemporary hyper hatchbacks. But the truth is that no such vehicle can even come close to giving the driver the same sensations. Additionally, it looks the part thanks to the broad air intakes and gentle lines running along its length; in this configuration, it is an absolute dream car, as you can see in the complete image gallery shared above.
Is the V-10 R8 available in manual?
What is the one feature that the current-generation Audi R8 is missing? Of course it is, as its predecessor had a beautiful open-gate manual transmission. Why, Audi, can’t we have good things?
Fortunately, the world has individuals like Kevin Howeth. The Charlotte-based tuner Underground Racing, which has recently finished its build of the 2020 R8 Decennium special edition you can see above, is his company, of which he is co-owner and founder.
Only 222 V10-powered Decenniums were ever produced, but ‘Danny from Dallas,’ a longtime Underground Racing customer, apparently desired something a little more distinctive. Just have a look inside Yes, that is a six-speed gated manual conversion from Audi.
And that’s not all. The 5.2-liter V10 in the R8 has been given twin turbos and a total of 1,500 horsepower by Underground Racing, which bills itself as the maker of the “world’s fastest street legal Lamborghinis.” That appears to be sufficient.
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.
Which transmission is better, manual or automatic?
There are many distinct types of cars. The possibilities are unlimited when looking for a new car, from choices in drivetrains like front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive to choices in engine type like conventional gas and electric. The type of transmission you choose when purchasing an automobile is a crucial choice.
Modern cars can have either an automatic or a manual transmission. A vehicle with an automatic gearbox does the gear-shifting for you, whereas a manual transmission requires the driver to do it. To shift or not to shift therefore becomes the question.
Is a Lamborghini quicker than an Audi R8?
But you can see how superior the Aventador Roadster is by simply looking at the table directly above. The performance parameters of the V12 engine in the Lamborghini Aventador series are simply beyond the capabilities of the Audi R8 Spyder, despite its valiant efforts. Starting in the first row, where we can observe an incredible advantage of 198 horsepower, this is made quite evident. Even though the torque is only 109 pound-feet, it is still quite a bit.
Which Audi is the quickest?
According to Audi, the performance of the new R8 V10 is identical to that of the previous R8 Competition. The reason it is at the top of our list is that it outperforms all other Audi models in terms of speed. The car can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in less than 3 seconds, and some models can do it in as little as 2.8 seconds.
The Bottom Line
We have comprehensively covered the top 10 fastest Audi vehicles worldwide. The added benefit of getting to your location on time is essentially what having the fastest car means. We have made it simpler for you to choose which Audi vehicle to buy.
An R8 is it a supercar?
A supercar from a fading breed, the Audi R8. The normally aspirated engine is dwindling in popularity as automakers equip their vehicles with turbochargers to fulfill ever-stricter pollution goals. The R8 is a beautiful farewell in some ways. The 5.2-liter V10 is the car’s main attraction, but the R8 is much more than just a large engine.
If you can live with the running costs, it’s as practical as an Audi TT for daily driving, and it’s easier to operate than other superminis. It boasts a lot of traction and grip because to the quattro four-wheel drive, but unlike many fast Audis, it’s also fun to drive on the racetrack. The V10 is quick and agile, and it has a powerful punch and an exhilarating soundscape.