First Impression: Audi R8

Audi R8 V10 Spyder

quattro GmbH is the high performance subsidiary of of Audi AG. quattro GmbH got its name from the original four-wheel rally car, the Audi Quattro. quattro cars do not sell cars under its own brand, but instead under the Audi marque quattro is responsible for the Audi RS3, RS4, RS5, RS6, and R8. The Audi R8 is the only mid-engine supercar that bears the Audi four-ring badge. Production for the R8 started in 2006 with the R8 coupe being released in 2007 and the R8 Spyder being released in 2009. The R8 GT, the fastest and lightest of the R8s was released in May 2010. The R8 originally came with a V8, but a V10 version was revealed on December 9, 2008.

The Audi R8 is a regular participant of the Houston Cars and Coffee events. I have seen a few on the roads of Houston. The R8 is one of the best looking cars I have seen at the Cars and Coffee events. Audi showed the spyder version of the R8 at the 2011 Houston Auto Show. This was one of the best cars on display at the Houston Auto Show. I love the styling of the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 comes with three different engines. The 4.2L V8 produces 44 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque. The V8 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph. The V8 spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 186 mph. Prices for the V8 Coupe start at $114,200 and prices for the V8 Spyder start at $128,950. The 5.2L V10 produces 525 hp and 391 lb-ft of torque. The V10 coupe goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 196 mph and prices for the V10 coupe start at $149,000. The V10 Spyder goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and reaches a top speed of 194 mph with prices starting at $162,700. The R8 GT has the 5.2L V10 that is tuned to produce 560 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The R8 GT goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 198 mph with prices starting at $196,800. All R8s come with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed R tonic single-clutch semi-automatic transmission. R8s with the R tonic transmissions cost a little bit more than the R8s with the manual transmission. No matter what engine, body style or transmission you go with, the R8 will be quick, fast, and stylish for a good price.

Top Gear has featured the Audi R8 multiple times. The R8 V8 coupe was reviewed during Series 10, Episode 2, when it was being compared to a Porsche 997 Carrera S. The Audi R8 V10 Coupe was being compared to a Corvette ZR1 during Series 14, Episode 2. The R8 V10 Spyder was being compared to a Porsche 997 Turbo Cabriolet during Series 15, Episode 4. The Audi R8 made two appearances on Battle of the Supercars. In season 1, episode 11, a tuned Audi R8 went up against a tuned Porsche 997 Turbo. In season 1, episode 13, The Audi R8 competed against the Lexus LFA. Both the R8 V8 coupe and the R8 V10 Coupe were shown at www.jaylenosgarage.com. The R8 was the vehicle mode for the Decepticon Sideways in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. The R8 is playable in Driver: San Francisco, Project Gotham Racing 4, Gran Turismo 5, Need For Speed: Pro Street, Drift City, RayCity, Shift 2: Unleashed, Forza Motorsport 2, Need For Speed: Undercover, Midnight Club: Los Angeles, GTR Evolution, French Street Racing, Burnout Paradise, Need For Speed: Nitro, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen the Video Game, European Street Racing, Forza Motorsport 3, Blur, Need For Speed: Shift, Asphalt 5, Modnation Racer, Need For Speed: World, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Asphalt 6: Adrenaline, Split/Second, Test Drive Unlimited 2, and many other games.

Final Thought: I am not a big Audi fan, but I love the Audi R8, especially its styling. I think it is one of the better looking rear-mid engine supercars on the road. I think the price is fair for what the R8 is. I was not happy when it was sliced in half in the film Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. I don't car if Michael Bay used a real R8 or a computer-generated R8, he should not have had an R8 split in half.

CarJunkie
Photos were taken from a digital camera and a camera phone