By Cars.com Staff
Cars.com National August 11, 2009Vehicle Overview
This sports car is named after Audi's Le Mans-winning racecar. Like the Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo with which it competes, the R8 has a mid-mounted engine. It features a weight-saving aluminum body and Quattro all-wheel drive, and it gains the option of a V-10 engine that's more powerful than the standard V-8.
New for 2010
V-10 models get exterior tweaks to differentiate them from V-8 models.
Exterior
The front end of the R8 is dominated by air-intake grates and Audi's trapezoidal grille. Distinguishing features include sideblade air intakes behind the doors that route air to the engine. Rectangular LED taillights are standard, and a power-extendable rear spoiler provides additional downforce at high speeds.
V-10 models, called R8 5.2 FSI Quattro, get a new 19-inch wheel design, larger side air intakes, unique rocker panel shaping, "V 10" front fender badges and a larger rear diffuser.
- 19-inch alloy wheels standard
- Optional carbon fiber sideblade
- Optional LED headlights
- Transparent canopy in rear allows view of the engine
- Quad exhaust pipes on V-8 models
- Dual exhaust tips on V-10 models
Interior
The R8's two-person cabin has standard sport seats covered in leather or Alcantara fabric and leather. A navigation system with Audi's Multi Media Interface system is available. MMI controls vehicle settings via a knob and buttons on the center of the dashboard. Audi says there's room for two golf bags behind the rear seats. V-10 models get different instrument-cluster labeling.
- Standard six-CD changer
- Flat-bottom steering wheel for easier entry and exit
- Standard Bluetooth hands-free phone interface
- Homelink garage-door opener now standard
- Available carbon fiber interior trim
- Available Bang & Olufsen audio system
- Available rearview camera
Under the Hood
The standard 4.2-liter V-8 engine makes 420 horsepower and 317 pounds-feet of torque. The new 5.2-liter V-10 makes 525 hp and 391 pounds-feet of torque.
The R8 has an adaptive four-wheel-independent suspension. Similar to General Motors' Magnetic Ride Control, the Audi Magnetic Ride system can pass an electrical charge through the shocks' fluid to instantly change its damping properties. One of two modes, one geared toward performance and the other designed for comfort, can be selected by the driver.
- Quattro all-wheel drive
- Standard six-speed manual transmission
- Optional R tronic sequential manual with automatic mode
- R tronic can be shifted by console lever or steering-wheel paddles
Safety
Standard safety features include:
- Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes with traction control
- Electronic stability system
- Seat-mounted side-impact airbags
- Knee airbag
- Front seat belt pretensioners
Additional Reviews
Cars.com Expert Reviews
| Joe Wiesenfelder | Cars.com National | July 15, 2010 |
| Cars.com Staff | Cars.com National | August 11, 2009 |
Affiliate Reviews
| Tom Strongman | KansasCity.com | April 9, 2010 |
| Dan Neil | Los Angeles Times | January 15, 2010 |
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