Skip to main content

2008
Audi R8

Starts at:
$109,000
Shop options
New 2008 Audi R8
See ratings
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Consumer rating
Owner reviewed vehicle score
Not rated
Safety rating
NHTSA tested vehicle score
Shop Cars.com
Browse cars & save your favorites
Dealers near you
Find & contact a dealership near you
Listings near 43272
Change location See all listings

Photo & video gallery

2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8 2008 Audi R8

The good & the bad

This vehicle doesn't have any good or bad insights yet.

Use our comparison tool to look at this model side-by-side with other vehicles or view the full specifications list .

Start your comparison

Expert 2008 Audi R8 review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By Tom Strongman
Full article
our expert's take


The all-wheel-drive R8 is Audi’s flagship sports car and, as such, it is a statement that the company is capable of building a car that challenges cars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Gallardo, and does so at a lower price.

Even though the R8 went on sale last fall, it is already on the way to becoming a sports car icon.

The R8’s base price of $109,000 is less than the Porsche and Lamborghini. The test car was equipped with the R tronic automatic transmission that adds $9,000 to the base price.

It might seem foolish to write about this car when gasoline is $4 a gallon and the economy is slow, but when the Audi folks offered an R8 from its press pool for a week, I couldn’t resist.

Aside from its traffic-stopping looks, the key to the R8 is the 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V-8 nestled under its back glass. This high-revving engine has an 8,250-rpm redline that begs to be unleashed, and the six-speed manual transmission is the perfect mate.

The R tronic is a six-speed manual with an automatic clutch, and it’s not nearly as smooth or quick-shifting as Audi’s DSG unit. Slip the gear lever into manual mode, shift it with the paddles on the steering wheel and the car begins to feel almost as lively as the six-speed manual

Audi says the R8 can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds, and it has a top track speed of 187 mph.

The engine is quite tractable in spite of the fact that it revs so high. It is docile in city traffic, yet it bellows with authority and a rush of speed when you nail the throttle. Fuel economy is rated at 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway.

Audi displayed an R8 powered by a 6.0-liter, 500-horsepower diesel engine at the Detroit auto show in January. Given that diesel engines are extremely popular in Europe and that fuel economy would improve by about one-third, the R8 LeMans could well make it into production.

The R8 has stunning styling. The nose is low and wide. The body is stretched tightly over the chassis and the 19-inch wheels. The side blade behind the doors punctuates the R8’s design and is intended to be a visual break that makes the car look smaller. The blade on some R8s is a brightly contrasting color, but the black test car’s dark-gray blade was subtle.

Last fall, I drove an R8 on a tiny track set up in the parking lot of FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The course was tight enough that we weren’t able to shift beyond second gear, but it was great for demonstrating the R8’s road holding and balance. Even with the traction control disengaged, it was possible to floor the throttle coming out of sharp turns in second gear and not slide sideways.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is a key reason for the R8’s impressive traction in turns. Depending on conditions, between 10 and 35 percent of the power is delivered to the front wheels. That makes the R8 feel like a rear-wheel-drive car, yet sending small amounts of drive to the front wheels enhances stability.

The powerful brakes withstood hours of abuse on the tiny track without complaint.

In spite of its low wedge shape, the R8 has a surprisingly roomy cabin. It is 75 inches wide, 49.3 inches tall and 174.5 inches long. The wheelbase is 104.3 inches.

The R8’s cabin is not only spacious but also beautifully designed. The gauges sit in individual pods, surrounded by a single arch that is intended to mimic a single-seat racer. The seats offer excellent support.

Luggage space under the front hood is small, but it will hold a couple of duffel bags. There is also room behind the front seats for a briefcase or backpack.

The R8 feels relaxed and at home in city traffic. The suspension is firm, yet it is compliant enough to be comfortable on everyday roads. Audi uses adaptive shock absorbers with magnetic fluid, and they can change ride characteristics in milliseconds. The driver can choose standard or sport mode.

Price The test car’s base price was $118,000 with the gas-guzzler tax, navigation system and R-Tronic automatic transmission. Options included a Bang & Olufsen sound system, leather seats, parking sensors, Bluetooth phone preparation and six-disc CD changer. The sticker price was $134,545.

Warranty Four years or 50,000 miles.

2008 Audi R8 review: Our expert's take
By Tom Strongman


The all-wheel-drive R8 is Audi’s flagship sports car and, as such, it is a statement that the company is capable of building a car that challenges cars such as the Porsche 911 Turbo and Lamborghini Gallardo, and does so at a lower price.

Even though the R8 went on sale last fall, it is already on the way to becoming a sports car icon.

The R8’s base price of $109,000 is less than the Porsche and Lamborghini. The test car was equipped with the R tronic automatic transmission that adds $9,000 to the base price.

It might seem foolish to write about this car when gasoline is $4 a gallon and the economy is slow, but when the Audi folks offered an R8 from its press pool for a week, I couldn’t resist.

Aside from its traffic-stopping looks, the key to the R8 is the 4.2-liter, 420-horsepower V-8 nestled under its back glass. This high-revving engine has an 8,250-rpm redline that begs to be unleashed, and the six-speed manual transmission is the perfect mate.

The R tronic is a six-speed manual with an automatic clutch, and it’s not nearly as smooth or quick-shifting as Audi’s DSG unit. Slip the gear lever into manual mode, shift it with the paddles on the steering wheel and the car begins to feel almost as lively as the six-speed manual

Audi says the R8 can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds, and it has a top track speed of 187 mph.

The engine is quite tractable in spite of the fact that it revs so high. It is docile in city traffic, yet it bellows with authority and a rush of speed when you nail the throttle. Fuel economy is rated at 13 miles per gallon in the city and 18 on the highway.

Audi displayed an R8 powered by a 6.0-liter, 500-horsepower diesel engine at the Detroit auto show in January. Given that diesel engines are extremely popular in Europe and that fuel economy would improve by about one-third, the R8 LeMans could well make it into production.

The R8 has stunning styling. The nose is low and wide. The body is stretched tightly over the chassis and the 19-inch wheels. The side blade behind the doors punctuates the R8’s design and is intended to be a visual break that makes the car look smaller. The blade on some R8s is a brightly contrasting color, but the black test car’s dark-gray blade was subtle.

Last fall, I drove an R8 on a tiny track set up in the parking lot of FedEx Field in Landover, Md. The course was tight enough that we weren’t able to shift beyond second gear, but it was great for demonstrating the R8’s road holding and balance. Even with the traction control disengaged, it was possible to floor the throttle coming out of sharp turns in second gear and not slide sideways.

Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is a key reason for the R8’s impressive traction in turns. Depending on conditions, between 10 and 35 percent of the power is delivered to the front wheels. That makes the R8 feel like a rear-wheel-drive car, yet sending small amounts of drive to the front wheels enhances stability.

The powerful brakes withstood hours of abuse on the tiny track without complaint.

In spite of its low wedge shape, the R8 has a surprisingly roomy cabin. It is 75 inches wide, 49.3 inches tall and 174.5 inches long. The wheelbase is 104.3 inches.

The R8’s cabin is not only spacious but also beautifully designed. The gauges sit in individual pods, surrounded by a single arch that is intended to mimic a single-seat racer. The seats offer excellent support.

Luggage space under the front hood is small, but it will hold a couple of duffel bags. There is also room behind the front seats for a briefcase or backpack.

The R8 feels relaxed and at home in city traffic. The suspension is firm, yet it is compliant enough to be comfortable on everyday roads. Audi uses adaptive shock absorbers with magnetic fluid, and they can change ride characteristics in milliseconds. The driver can choose standard or sport mode.

Price The test car’s base price was $118,000 with the gas-guzzler tax, navigation system and R-Tronic automatic transmission. Options included a Bang & Olufsen sound system, leather seats, parking sensors, Bluetooth phone preparation and six-disc CD changer. The sticker price was $134,545.

Warranty Four years or 50,000 miles.

Available cars near you

Factory warranties

New car program benefits

Basic
4 years / 50,000 miles
Corrosion
12 years
Powertrain
4 years / 50,000 miles
Roadside Assistance
4 years

Certified Pre-Owned program benefits

Age / mileage
5 model years or newer / less than 60,000 miles
Basic
1 year or 20,000 miles (whichever occurs first)
Dealer certification
125-point inspection

Compare similar vehicles

Select cars to compare for more detailed info.
  • 2008
    4.4
    Audi R8
    Starts at
    $109,000
    13 City / 18 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2018
    5.0
    McLaren 570S
    Starts at
    $192,500
    16 City / 23 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Twin Turbo Premium Unleaded V-8
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2007
    4.9
    Aston Martin V8 Vantage
    Starts at
    $110,600
    13 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    Rear-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2010
    4.4
    Audi R8
    Starts at
    $114,200
    12 City / 19 Hwy
    MPG
    2
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2008
    4.9
    Audi RS 4
    Starts at
    $66,910
    13 City / 20 Hwy
    MPG
    5
    Seat capacity
    Gas V8
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • 2012
    4.6
    Audi TT RS
    Starts at
    $56,850
    18 City / 25 Hwy
    MPG
    4
    Seat capacity
    Turbocharged Gas I5
    Engine
    All-wheel drive
    Drivetrain
    Compare
  • Compare more options
    Use our comparison tool to add any vehicle of your choice and see a full list of specifications and features side-by-side.
    Try it now

Consumer reviews

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 4.5
Performance 4.4
Value 4.2
Exterior 4.9
Reliability 4.0

Most recent

  • Sexiest car I’ve ever owned!

    Sexiest car I have ever owned! I love driving this car! It’s a manual transmission and she is not only beautiful she is fast! Never fails to please me when I get in it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Having fun
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    4 people out of 5 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Just the LOOK

    Owned couple sport cars, I would say this R8 has the most Exterior Styling*, vs power I believe the R-tronic Transmission is garage delay not responsing when it needs to. ONE advise if you are buying this car PLEASE either buy brand new one or buy with CPO **cerfied** or elc it would be painful to visit the dealer and the Money out of your packet would be more then you expected.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 1.0
    3 people out of 4 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • lock up

    i own an audi all i can say that you bay a sport audi without warranty factory warranty your throwing your money in garbage plus they brake down often don't get me wrong they are all season cars and good in rain or snow but the parts and labor will kill the Valium and the packets as well...
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 2.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 3.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 3.0
    4 people out of 9 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • One of the Best Sports Cars out There

    Which car is quite underpriced, gets to 60mph in 4.1 seconds, handles very well, and is quite luxurious? The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG! But that's $200,000. There's something else I was thinking of that's cut price, and even cooler looking, and less show-offy. The Audi R8! Power might be limited for a very-high-performance / almost exotic two-door, but Audi's flagship sports car's competitors are at least $60,000 more. These include the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG, Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Ferrari F430. Let's get specific. (2009 prices) The R8 is $114,000. The SL65 AMG is $200,000. The CL63 AMG is $192,000. The Lamborghini Gallardo is $177,000. And yes, the Mercedes SL63 AMG is way less expensive than the SL65, though it's still pricier than the R8, and it gets to 60mph in 4.5, compared to the R8's 4.1. The car is very luxurious, with standard features including a voice-activated navigation system, heated and cooled leather steering wheel with radio, climate, and navigation system controls, remote start, seat and foot massage, and so much more. The Corvette ZR1 might be $6,000 less and get to 60mph in 0.7 seconds faster, but it's not nearly as nice as the R8. Looking performance, luxury, safety, and pricewise, you will not find a better sports car for $114,000.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • The best car I have ever owned

    This car launches Audi into a new era and I look forward to seeing many more cars of similar quality and performance. Totally awesome driving experience. Makes my old TT look like a Mini! The only thing stopping me recommending the R8 is that I like the fact that there aren't too many on the road... :-)
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • Catch me if you can.

    Leaves any Porsche 911 blushing at the lights. Don't be scared to floor it. You will be at 100mph in less than 5 seconds. Very comfortable at top speed. Very well balanced car and superior to any Porsche or Ferrari I have driven in a controlled slide. Good in the wet too. Get one. Makes marriage less of a pain.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No
  • a true beast

    this car is truly a great one the interior is full of useull features like the MMI it just makes you feel so much more special than any other sports car owner. When you talk about performance this car is amazing it is a machine i timed myself getting to hundred and it toke me just over 4 seconds. it handle great too. the other day i had a little race with an 911 carrera i just completely left it in the dust. this car is truly great.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 4.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
    Yes No

Latest news from cars.com

See all news

Audi dealers near you

FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 2008 Audi R8?

The 2008 Audi R8 is available in 1 trim level:

  • (1 style)

What is the MPG of the 2008 Audi R8?

The 2008 Audi R8 offers up to 13 MPG in city driving and 18 MPG on the highway. These figures are based on EPA mileage ratings and are for comparison purposes only. The actual mileage will vary depending on vehicle options, trim level, driving conditions, driving habits, vehicle maintenance, and other factors.

What are some similar vehicles and competitors of the 2008 Audi R8?

The 2008 Audi R8 compares to and/or competes against the following vehicles:

Is the 2008 Audi R8 reliable?

The 2008 Audi R8 has an average reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 2008 Audi R8 owners.

Is the 2008 Audi R8 a good Coupe?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 2008 Audi R8. 71.4% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.4 / 5
Based on 7 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 4.5
  • Performance: 4.4
  • Value: 4.2
  • Exterior: 4.9
  • Reliability: 4.0

Audi R8 history

Your list was successfully saved.
 
 
 
 
Save list Compare
[{"cat":"sportscar_standard","stock_type":"used","bodystyle":"Coupe","page_type":"research/make-model-year","oem_page":false,"search_fuel_types":["Gasoline Fuel"]}]