The Audi R8 is a supercar as exhilarating as any other, but it's as easy to drive as a family hatchback
“It’s just a big Audi TT.” So runs the common refrain for anyone who isn’t a fan of Audi’s R8. And with the big, hexagonal grille and narrowed-eye headlamps, it’s possible to see where its detractors might get that from
But anyone making that comparison between the R8 and the TT is considerably wide of the mark. The R8, now in its second generation, is endowed with a massive V10 engine – a format that’s becoming rare in this age of downsized turbos – and it’s mounted in the centre of the car, rather than up front, for optimum weight distribution.
And while there are obvious visual similarities between the two cars, the R8 is an altogether more purposeful beast – lower, wider and more menacing to boot. Under the skin, too, its chassis features carbon fibre sections that make it lighter and stronger.
Don’t be fooled by the Audi badge, then, because this isn’t just a big TT. In fact, the R8 is a bona fide supercar, and a genuine rival to the Lamborghini Huracan, Porsche 911 Turbo and Mercedes-Benz AMG GT.
Space 6/10
Enough space for two and their luggage - just
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Because the Audi R8 is mid-engined, the boot is in the front of the car, and it isn’t all that large. In fact, it’s smaller than the McLaren Sports Series (540C and 570S) models’, and while it’s about the same size as the Porsche 911’s, the Porsche also has two extra seats, which can be used either for people or luggage.
And while there is space to use behind the R8’s seats, neither the driver nor passenger seat is overly endowed with leg room, so it’s likely that both seats will be pushed back as far as they can go. In short, it’s best to travel light in an R8.
At least the pouches mounted behind the seats are useful for slim packages, and there’s a decent amount of head and elbow room for the R8’s occupants. What’s more, storage for your odds and ends in the dashboard is good, with a neat cubby beneath the dashboard and a pair of cupholders.
Comfort 9/10
Long trips are a breeze
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The R8 is available with optional magnetic dampers, and they’re worth choosing because they allow you to switch from a firm ride for fast driving, to a softer ride for everyday roads.
With the suspension in full “comfort” mode, in fact, the R8 is unbelievable cosseting; more so than some family cars, especially on the motorway where it’s delightfully smooth.
It’s quiet inside, too, with a muted engine and relatively little tyre noise. Only a spot of wind noise from the tops of the frameless doors betrays the fact you’re in something a little special.
The seats, meanwhile, are supportive in all the right places. This, in short, is a car which is equally at home pootling around town or tearing across a continent.
Dashboard layout 9/10
Looks and feels great
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Everything about the R8’s dashboard feels slick and well-made – even more so than that of the Porsche 911. What’s more, it looks great, with beautifully-designed air-conditioning controls that hang down from a slim ledge of dashboard.
The R8 also gets Audi’s new virtual cockpit, which replaces the inctruments with a huge screen, positioned behind the steering wheel. This can be cycled through several view options, giving you a beautifully crisp satnav display, trip computer and audio system information, or larger dials with lots of information about the car’s essential systems.
It’s a great system, but it does mean you don’t get a central information display, and that means your passenger will find it hard to the stereo. That, of course, could be an advantage disadvantage, depending on your point of view.
All is not entirely perfect in the R8, though. There are a lot of buttons on the steering wheel to get to grips with, and it’s a shame the R8 has plastic gearshift paddles, which feel cheap and nasty. A car of this price should really have proper aluminium shifters.
Easy to drive 8/10
About as easy as mid-engined supercars get
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An automatic gearbox comes as standard in the Audi R8, which makes driving it very easy – you just get in, start it up, select "D" and go.
The steering and pedals require little effort, too, although the accelerator and brakes are quite sharp, which makes the R8 feel a little finicky at slow speeds.
As with all mid-engined supercars, visibility isn’t great – a Porsche 911 does better here – but the R8 fights back with front and rear parking sensors as standard, which helps when parking. You can also specify a reversing camera, which doesn’t cost a huge amount extra.
Fun to drive 10/10
All about precision and stability
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It’s true that there are other supercars out there that are easier to slide, feel more alive, or dart around more readily. But the R8 feels solid and precise, crushingly fast and endlessly confidence-inspiring.
The grip is the most incredible part of the recipe. It’s relentless, whatever the weather. Feed the accelerator in more and more around a bend and the R8 simply digs in and slingshots you around the corner, leaning ever more – and ever-more unbelievably – on its outer wheels. Meanwhile, quick, linear and predictable steering allows you to place the car perfectly despite its width, even though it’s a touch on the light side.
The V10 is a wondrous thing, too; delivering maximum power and torque high up the rev range so that holding on to each gear delivers greater and more mind-boggling acceleration. And in a world of subdued turbo tones its sound is unashamedly loud, deliciously multi-layered, warm and melodic.
Meanwhile, the gearbox is fantastically quick. In manual mode, it changes faithfully whenever you pull a paddle, and pressing the accelerator fully down in auto mode sends it kicking down savagely to find peak torque, at which point the R8 hurls you onward as though you’ve been rear-ended by a train.
Reliability 4/10
Audi’s reputation isn’t great
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Audi doesn’t make enough R8s for the model to have been rated in any reliability surveys, but Audi’s showing in the 2015 JD Power dependability study was pretty poor. The marque finished 23rd out of 27 in the list with a total of 169 recorded problems per 100 vehicles.
That result tallies with a disappointing score in Warranty Direct’s Reliability Index, which is based on warranty claims. Again, Audi was close to the bottom, finishing 34th out of 39.
You’ll also get a lesser warranty with your R8 than you will with the equivalent McLaren or Porsche. All come with three years’ worth of cover, but Audi’s is limited to 60,000 miles, whereas the others are unlimited by mileage. The Lamborghini Huracan, meanwhile, gets a four-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, which really puts the R8 in the shade.
Fuel economy 5/10
Loses out to most rivals
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It doesn’t matter which rival you look to – the R8 can’t match up to any of them in terms of its fuel consumption.
That’s partly because of its V10 engine which, on paper at least, isn’t as fuel efficient as the turbocharged and supercharged power units of its rivals.
That said, the R8 isn’t far behind, being within a few mpg of most of its rivals on the combined cycle. In fact, the only similarly fast cars which really make it look thirsty are the Porsche 911 Turbo models, which are quite a bit more efficient. And if nothing else, at least the R8 drinks less fuel than the Lamborghini Huracan.
Affordability 9/10
Not cheap, but looks like decent value
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OK – you can go very nearly as fast as the entry-level R8 for less. The Jaguar F-type R AWD and Mercedes-Benz AMG GT S both offer almost-as-quick acceleration and cost quite a bit less, although they can’t quite match up to the R8’s blistering 0-62mph time.
But on the whole, the R8 looks like good value. Both models are cheaper than the equivalent McLaren Sports Series and Porsche 911s, with the R8 Plus looking especially good up against the 911 Turbo S and McLaren 570S.
What’s more, running costs should be reasonable as you can get the R8 serviced at any Audi dealership, and depreciation shouldn’t be too vicious as the R8 is priced well to start with.
Safety 8/10
Should protect well in a crash
![Audi R8 Coupé brakes](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/cars/images/audi/r8/audi-r8-safety-2_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqrWYeUU_H0zBKyvljOo6zlkYMapKPjdhyLnv9ax6_too.jpg?imwidth=350)
The Audi R8’s excellent brakes, combined with standard four-wheel drive and plenty of electronic assistance systems that keep you heading the way you want and prevent you from skidding, should make it easy to stop and prevent an accident.
Should the worst happen, though, the R8 features side, head and front airbags that will help to protect you from the worst of the crash.
The R8 doesn’t come with a system to predict head-on crashes and apply the brakes for you – but as none of its rivals come with such a system, it isn’t notable for its absence. That said, many cheaper cars come with this sort of system fitted, and it’s a worthwhile bit of safety kit, so it’s a real shame Audi didn’t break the mould and add it to the R8’s standard specification.
Standard spec 8/10
A little better than most
![Audi R8 Coupé satnav screen](/https/www.telegraph.co.uk/content/dam/motoring2/2015/12/02/9-audi-r8-standard-spec_trans_NvBQzQNjv4BqrWYeUU_H0zBKyvljOo6zlkYMapKPjdhyLnv9ax6_too.jpg?imwidth=350)
The entry-level R8 is the V10 Coupé; this model gets LED headlamps, single-zone climate control, satellite-navigation, metallic paint, heated leather seats, front and rear parking sensors and a retractable rear spoiler all as standard.
Upgrade to the V10 Plus Coupé, and as well as extra power, you also get upgraded suspension, automatic high-beam headlamps, bucket seats with perforated leather upholstery, ceramic brake discs, a fixed rear spoiler, and a glut of carbon fibre and gloss black body panels.
That makes both R8s a shade better equipped than their rivals, although given the R8’s long-distance capability, it’s a shame cruise control costs extra. You can get it as standard on a Renault Twingo costing less than a tenth of the price, so it seems churlish not to fit it here.
Our favourite version
V10 Coupé, list price £119,500
Options to add Magnetic dampers (£1,600) and Driver Assistance Pack including cruise control and reversing camera (£650)
The verdict 8/10
It’s the V10 engine that gives the R8 its heart and soul. True, it’s inefficient, but it’s also fabulously characterful, wailing wildly behind your ears as it delivers ferocious acceleration. The rest of the R8 is similarly exciting, but its real trump card is how it behaves when you aren’t driving fast. Its docility and comfort make it a true everyday supercar, and that blend of talents is hard to beat.