The always outstanding Audi R8 is offered as a coupe and a roadster (also known as a Spyder). There is neither a turbocharger nor a supercharger in this sports car’s naturally aspirated V10. It produces 540 horsepower and 398 lb.-ft. of torque in the “basic version.” If you feel that is insufficient, there is another version of this engine, which is just…
In This Article...
The Audi R8 V8 has a naturally aspirated engine.
At first, the first Audi R8 had a jaw-dropping appearance. Even early specimens of the German mid-engine supercar are valuable antiques because of how nicely it has aged. Examples with manual transmissions are particularly valuable because they are uncommon and weren’t offered for the second generation.
In light of this, the staff at AutoTOP NL have obtained a first-generation vehicle with a facelift and a manual transmission as an example. They drove it across a few different parts of Germany, including a stretch of the nation’s renowned Autobahn.
Despite what detractors may claim online, the Audi R8 is still speedy today, even in V8 guise, as you shall see. If you only consider a car’s output, as many people who are just getting interested in cars do, then yes, 430 horsepower is no longer as spectacular as it once was.
Simply listen to the 4.2-liter, naturally aspirated V8 engine as it accelerates to 8,000 rpm. The R8 looks, sounds, and feels very much alive, which is something you do not get to experience very frequently unless you have something similar in your garage. As you can see in the video below, the gated manual simply raises the bar for the experience.
Remember the video below the next time someone complains that a car with 430 horsepower isn’t powerful enough, and feel free to email them the link. They might modify their minds or simply come to the realization that they were somewhat misguided.
In online disputes with users of social media and forums, you can also choose the opposite course of action. Asking them about their car’s horsepower, if they have ever driven on a racetrack, and how they would rate an automobile they have never seen are all part of the process. You would be correct, even though it would not make you popular at gatherings.
The German sports vehicle is as sharp as you might expect it to be, as those of us who have had the good fortune to drive a R8 can confirm. Up until a certain point, it is simple to drive fairly swiftly, but those who disregard physics will not be pardoned.
Audi R8 V10 Plus has a naturally aspirated engine.
Audi unveils a new, more potent, and more agile R8 for 2020. This German supercar shares around half of its components with the R8 LMS GT3/GT4 race cars, although it still has the Coupe and Spyder (convertible) body types. The 5.2-liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine now generates 611 horsepower in Performance trim and 562 horsepower in ordinary trim. While the cabin sports a cutting-edge digital interface and three extra drive modes, the suspension and steering have been upgraded.
The R8 from Audi is turbocharged.
SheepyRace, a California-based performance shop, eventually acquired this damaged Audi R8. The front end was fixed, and a twin-turbo kit was added. In addition, a pair of brand-new coilovers were installed in place of the air suspension. The turbocharged R8 now has almost 1,400 horsepower, necessitating a reliable suspension arrangement.
SheepyRace improved the basic seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in addition to increasing power. The normal transmission’s parts would have probably broken due to the increased power.
WhistlinDiesel brought his updated Audi R8 to some street racing to put it through its paces. These runs are significant in part because they demonstrate the R8’s twin-turbo kit’s speed in context. A twin-turbo R8 by Underground Racing managed to finish the quarter-mile in 7.695 seconds at 196.76 mph, albeit we don’t have official performance numbers.
What kind of motor does the Audi R8 have?
The top-of-the-line R8 sports vehicle from Audi has a roaring 602 horsepower V-10 engine hidden under its cramped two-seat interior. The R8 and Lamborghini Huracn have many similarities, but the R8 has a less showy design. Although it’s less fun to drive, consumers looking for a supercar they can use every day might find the Audi’s refinement intriguing. Although the R8’s interior is underwhelmingly equipped and all infotainment functions are handled by the digital gauge cluster, the space is nevertheless luxurious and comfortable, justifying the R8’s high starting price. Although more cargo room would be appreciated, you don’t buy a car like this for that purpose. You purchase a R8 or one of its competitors, such as the Porsche 911 or McLaren 570S, for the enjoyment of driving it.
Which Audi R8 V8 or V10 is superior?
I count myself lucky – and quite grateful – to occasionally receive the keys to any car for a day of guilt-free driving. You can probably guess how I was feeling, though, when said keys unlocked a piece of machinery as unique as an Audi R8.
Three variations of Audi’s renowned supercara red V8, a red V10 Plus, and a black V10 Spyderwere patiently waiting in front of me while soaking up the rare English sunshine. Here is how I fared after driving both the V8 coupe and V10 Spyder for a day through Warwickshire’s most remote terrain.
V8 Coupe, 93,735
I reasoned that since the V8 is a base model supercar, getting in it first would be the sensible course of action. The crucial data? It accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 187 mph. These numbers are attributable to the superbly responsive 4.2-liter naturally-aspirated V8 that is jam-packed into the centre of the chassis. It generates 424 horsepower and 318 pound-feet of torque, which are sent to all four wheels using Audi’s renowned Quattro system via a seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox.
As you settle into the driver’s seat, the interior’s startling lack of color is the first thing you notice. The instrument binnacle, steering wheel, and dashboard all feel and appear very much the same as any other Audi cabin, so there wasn’t the dramatic flair I was hoping for.
The R8’s greatest asset is how practical and simple it is to drive normally, which becomes immediately apparent after putting the car in Drive and starting to move through the winding streets of the nearby village. The cabin is comfortable, there is decent vision, and maneuvering is simple. Driving this car is not daunting.
The roads start to open up once the oily bits are nicely warmed up and the charming residences of wealthy elderly people are behind me. It’s time to press the accelerator now to let this car’s more boisterous side loose. Initial impressions are positive; while the V8 doesn’t offer excruciating acceleration, the speedometer’s readings rise quickly.
If you look at the video below, you’ll see that the V8 gurgles and crackles, but when you’re driving fast, it’s not the loud assault on your senses that you might anticipate. Putting your right foot down firmly produces a noticeable harsh thrum, but it’s insufficient to alert me that I’m in a supercar with at least 400 horsepower.
The only criticism I have of the R8 V8 is that the steering is a little too light. Perhaps this is because I’m still a little nervous about driving a car that costs close to $100,000. Particularly when the automobile is accelerating, crests and crowns cause the car to slightly swerve, and there is always a moment of small anxiety before you are certain that your corrections have been recognized.
Having said that, you won’t even be aware of this occurrence when you’re in the flow. Once you’ve left the straight ahead and started swerving into turns, the steering is incredibly strong and pleasantly precise. After driving for approximately an hour, I start to repeat the same stretches of road, developing a rhythm, and going faster than I had initially anticipated for both the automobile and myself.
Now that my time is running out, it’s time to return and switch to the full-fat V10 Spyder from my existing vehicle.
V10 Spyder 123,485
The convertible feels instantly special, unlike the coupe, which had a more muted appearance. Although the interior is exactly as unimpressive as the V8’s, I can’t help but feel excited since two additional cylinders are lying behind my head and there isn’t a roof to shield me from the sensation.
Once more, it’s simple to overlook the fact that you’re operating a low-slung supercar as you cruise through the same community. Low speed maneuverability is simple, and you quickly get at ease behind the wheel.
When the national speed limit signs appear and disappear, the distinctions between the V8 and V10 cars become apparent. I put my right foot down after switching the automobile from fourth to second gear with two flicks of the left toggle.
With 518 horsepower and 390 lb ft of torque, the 5.2-liter V10 engine roars to life and propels me into the distance. What was over there just a moment ago is now speeding past me. And it’s understandable why: it can reach 194 mph and accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.1 seconds, which is 0.2 seconds faster than the V8.
All of that power is transformed into an organ-rearranging shove since the Quattro system makes sure there are no traction problems. Sincerely, I’ve never drove a car that continuously pushed me into my seat, but this one does it throughout the entire rpm range.
The V10 is a brute that makes you giggle like a girl, whereas the V8 rewards you for finding a flow. I don’t worry about racing lines as much because the acceleration is so compelling; instead, I take slower, more cautious routes and relish the kick in the behind once the road clears.
The final piece of the dramatic puzzle is put into place when I switch to Sport mode after becoming accustomed to the thing’s rapid pace.
On downshifts, you’re treated to a guttural bark and everything is louder. It pushes the gear in higher up the rpm range than before while you’re driving hard to keep you on the limit. The roadside hills and trees that line the V10’s path reflect the roar like an old-school F1 car.
Back in the village, the R8 is still in Sport mode, and I approach a tight 90-degree left-hander while easing off the gas. The S-Tronic gearbox decides it’s time to shift into second gear when my speed slightly reduces. The few adjacent residents look toward me as it hammers home to a loud bark that echoes through the limestone buildings. When a gardener smiles and sets down his wheelbarrow, I blip the throttle just enough to give him the thrill of a crackling overrun. These are the times I cherish the most.
Although the R8’s V8 and V10 variants are brothers, they differ greatly in many aspects. Due to its smaller weight and greater fluidity, the V8 is more suited to drivers, but the V10 only makes you feel more privileged. Since of this, I would choose the vehicle with a loud bark because the noise and acceleration were unlike anything I had ever experienced and because I already needed a R8 V10 fix.
Is the Audi R8 a sports vehicle or 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.
Are Audi R8 vehicles dependable?
Is a pre-owned Audi R8 coupe trustworthy? The R8 is exquisitely constructed and has the typical high-quality Audi experience. However, compared to other brands, Audi has a larger percentage of reported issues and has consistently performed poorly in our most recent customer satisfaction and dependability assessments.
Will a R8 become a timeless design?
Then the R8, which acquired speed more quickly than any of them but also handled well, was in a perfect balance at the limit and was soft, indulgent, and even playful beyond. Then came the sound of that magnificent 4.2-liter V8 engine and the scrape of the gear lever around the exposed six-speed gate, a la Maranello. I was in heaven, and everyone there drives too quickly.
I momentarily considered running for the border. It could not be far to the state line. Recently, however on the other side of the country, a coworker spent the night in an American jail for speeding. However, I quickly changed my mind after realizing that I wasn’t a baccy-chewing, gun-toting outlaw on the run; instead, I was a middle-aged, slightly obese motoring journalist driving an Audi. As the trooper approached the automobile wearing Aviators that sparkled in the harsh Nevada sun, I pulled over, dreading what would happen next.
“He asked, pointing to the incorrect end of the car, “What’s it got under there?” Which is how I ended up giving a Nevada lawman a thorough technical overview of the Audi R8 at the side of a desert roadway that was otherwise deserted. I already knew that I had gotten away with my crime. He had been duped from the moment he first saw it. He was obviously tempted when I even suggested that we go for a run up the road in it. He just bid us farewell and requested that we slow down in the end “till you no longer pose an issue for me. Then I did.
Since then, there have been a ton of R8s, many of which are superb, most notably the most recent rear-wheel drive models. However, none of them, in my opinion at least, has managed to match the original’s charm or is more assured of becoming a classic in the future.
In fact, I’d go so far as to argue that no other automobile has come close to recreating the enchantment that has made the Porsche 911 the most renowned, successful, and long-lasting high performance sports car in historypossibly with the exception of the original Honda NSX. The R8 knew, much like the 911, that how quickly one went mattered more than how quickly one went. It’s a qualitative measure rather than a quantitative one.
I recently had the opportunity to drive one and was concerned that its allure may have faded over the previous 15 years. However, given the current crop of supercars, which are heavy, turbocharged, and flappy-paddled and more interested in showing you what they can do than letting you try it for yourself, it actually made a stronger case for itself than ever. I didn’t particularly care for some of the outdated switchgear and an infotainment system that was rather subpar for such a car ever when it was new, but I couldn’t think of anything else.
Naturally, you must exercise caution when hunting for one, and I strongly advise against purchasing a vehicle with the cumbersome single clutch Graziano robotized manual paddle shift gearbox. I would always choose the roadster over the stiffer, lighter coup. The interior plastics had faded and taken on a slightly sticky feeling, but other than that, there was little I could see or feel in the car that gave away its true age. But you don’t hear horror stories about old cars. Additionally, it is more rot-resistant than any equivalent automobile manufactured from steel due to its all-aluminum construction and bodywork.
Of course, they’ve never been inexpensive. However, I anticipate that the 40,000 or so needed to acquire a clear vehicle with a good history and reasonable kilometers will at the very least be secure unless you use it as your primary mode of transportation. And as we enter an era of electrified and increasingly automated transportation, I predict that over time, the simplicity and clarity of the original concept and the beauty of the driving experience will become ever more highly prized. When it was new, just one glance was enough to win the journalist driving it over in addition to the Nevada state trooper. It still demonstrates no signs of wanting to let go fifteen years later.