Wednesday 18th October 2017

Audi R8 V8 manual: Spotted

The sensible supercar? For this price, it could well be

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Believe it or not, the Audi R8 has been with us for over a decade. Eleven years to be exact; plenty of time for it to have built multiple variants, including the V10, which pushed the model well into supercar territory. But it didn't start there: Ingolstadt's original goal for its mid-engined masterpiece was to pinch some of Porsche's buyers - and to that end it plumbed in as much usability as it could into its breath-taking design.

This included the first engine. While its Lamborghini-badged sibling got a 5.0-litre V10 from the beginning, Audi wisely opted to graft on the 4.2-litre V8; a unit already proven in the B7 generation RS4, and only in need of a dry sump to befit its new home behind the driver's seat. The match - obviously complimented by the rear-bias all-wheel-drive system - was one made in heaven.

Its 420hp sounds relatively humble now (given the proximity of the latest TT RS) but its pairing with the R8's space frame construction and a particularly feel some sort of traction, delivered one of the great driver's cars on the early 21st century: compliant, biddable and sound tracked not only by a naturally-aspirated V8, but also the swashbuckling noise of an open-gaited six-speed manual 'box.

Throw in the relative practicality and comfort of a high-end Audi interior, and the R8 looked good value even at launch. Today, with starting prices significantly lower than the RRP of a range-topping TT, the model is an outrageous steal. True, there are some to be avoided - but there are also plenty like this 2008 car presented in Silver with oxygen silver side blades over the standard black.

With full Audi service history and only 44,000 miles on the clock, you'd like to think it's virtually immune to depreciation - in fact, keep it for long enough and we rather think it might start going the other way. And when you consider what else you could have for the same ballpark (a Cayman S or a Mustang perhaps?) none offers the cache or the deft ability of the first R8. Only those running lights might put you off - and that's surely the worst kind of nit-picking

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AUDI R8
Engine: 4,163cc, V8
Transmission: six-speed manual, quattro all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 420@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 317@4,500rpm
MPG: 20.7
CO2: 349g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 44,000 miles
Yours for: £40,995

See the original advert here

[Debaser]

Love these, though they are surprisingly impractical (the boot is way smaller than in a 911, and apart from that there's only a shelf behind the seats for storage).

Agree with the power comment - they can feel underwhelming under acceleration, though I think they are more impressive when it comes to high speed acceleration. For a car with 'only' 420hp it'll accelerate when over 150mph well enough.

[Debaser]

Looks great in blue!

[Debaser]

mikiec said:

I would say stretch for the V10 though, the v8 is giggling fast the V10 OMG fast. Plus if it’s a manual better long term outlook, last of the big NA manuals.

I’d recommend anyone to try both before deciding. I was set to get a V10 but after driving a V8 and a V10 back to back I changed my mind.

The V10 is a lot faster though.

[Debaser]

Regarding the magnetic ride, the last one or two buyer's guides I've seen suggested hunting out a car with standard dampers instead.

[Debaser]

200Plus Club said:

i tried that, unfortunately at the time mag ride was the most picked option when spending extra on a car, so all the better equipped cars have it, all the poverty spec cars dont, and the poverty spec interior is a bit basic tbh. i've just assumed at some point i'll be sourcing a damper or two and fitting them myself. there is the Polish option now who refurbish them.
the ride in sports mode is fab, i had heard people say it bangs and crashes, i can only assume their shocks are fubarred as mine is great on fast lanes with it on.

saw this earlier while browsing, white still ticks boxes in R8 shapes for me! carbon blades plus the very very rare 6k worth of carbon engine covers.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

Edited by 200Plus Club on Thursday 19th October 12:57

Looks great in white with carbon side blades.

I agree about the spec, at launch all the reviews raved about the magnetic ride, so if you're specifying your brand new R8 why not go for them. When I was looking I only saw one high spec R8 without magnetic ride.