Design Car Audi R8

Design Car Audi R8

The Audi R8 was the company’s first attempt at a supercar to rival the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. It was given a mid-life facelift at the end of 2012, which included some minor cosmetic changes, more equipment, the introduction of a slick seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox and the addition of a new range-topping and more driver focused 543bhp V10 Plus model.

The V10 models use a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-litre engine, while the V8 model uses the same 4.2-litre engine as the Audi RS4. All versions offer scintillating performance, and have much of the same everyday usability as their baby brother, the TT. There are two body styles available - Coupe and soft-top Spyder but only one choice of trim level - which comes with a very high standard specification.

It doesn’t matter which model you go for, both versions of the Audi R8 offer an incredible driving experience. Even the 424bhp V8 manual version accelerates from 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds, putting it on a par with the Porsche 911 Carrera S. The 518bhp V10 version does 0-62mph in 3.9 seconds, while the V10 Plus with the company's new S tronic seven-speed auto will do the sprint in just 3.5 seconds. Direct and well weighted steering ensures the R8 goes round bends just as well as an Aston V8 Vantage. If you add the optional Magnetic Ride dampers, body control is improved even further as is the ride comfort.

Engine Car Audi R8

The system is standard on the V10, but the V10 Plus has lowered and stiffened fixed-rate sports suspension for even sharper handling but a slight loss in comfort. Visibility is excellent, and with Audi's quattro four-wheel-drive system the R8 feels planted, regardless of road and weather conditions. The system has a rear-bias so the majority of the power goes to the rear wheels during normal road driving.

All cars come with satellite navigation, 19-inch alloys, Audi Music Interface with integrated Bluetooth, heated seats and all-LED lights. Of course, owning a car with a V8 or V10 engine is never going to be cheap, with fuel economy figures ranging from around 19mpg for the 5.2-litre manual, through to 22.8mpg for the 4.2-litre V8 with S tronic semi-automatic.

Depreciation is always going to be a hard hit for a supercar, but exclusivity ensures this figure is kept to a minimum. An all-electric R8 e-trong model, with a 134-mile range, was due to be launched, but this has now been cancelled.