New Audi R8 Archives - cars & life blog

I saw the new Audi R8 Spyder in London recently. To be honest, I have never been an R8 fan. I never really liked the design. But that doesn’t mean that the first generation R8 was not a good design. I never managed to like the E36 BMW 5-Series but it still looks new.

The main issue with the R8 is that it is a bit Audi and a bit Lamborghini Gallardo. I know Audi has a very rich heritage of performance cars but I never managed to associate the R8 with the brand. I think that this is due to my approach to its design.

Despite my negative attitude to the Audi R8, it performs really well in terms of financial figures. It is really fast and ‘way more affordable than the Porsche 911. Even so, the first generation Audi is still favoured by many people.

Audi wanted to keep the momentum going with the second generation, and they have done a great job. The second generation Audi R8 is an amazing car. Audi combined performance, design and technology perfectly with the second generation. Another important fact about the second generation R8 is the engine. There are only atmospheric engine available on a super or a hyper car. Nowadays, all performance cars are turbo or supercharged. This makes the second generation Audi R8 a very special car.

Will I buy an Audi R8 over a Porsche 911? That would never happen. Porsche fans will always go for a Porsche. This is like asking an Apple fan to try a Samsung phone.

Audi R8 Spyder

Finally, I met the new Audi R8 in Mayfair, London. Whenever I see an Audi R8, I remember the first time I saw the R8 in Istanbul. It was the R8 V8, making lots of noise, but there was something unusual about it. I never liked the first generation R8’s exterior or interior design. Also, the performance figures of the first generation never impressed me. As the pricing made the first-gen R8 accessible to many people, everything was messed up for me.

However, the second-gen Audi R8 is totally different. It is as wide as a Ferrari Testarossa and sits as low as a McLaren. Regarding the interior quality, the second-gen R8 feels really luxurious. The quality of the interior is easily experienced through the switches and the buttons. They give good feedback, and the quality of the materials is really high. There is very limited resemblance inside the cabin of the second-gen R8 to any other Audi. It feels unique and offers a better experience.

I tried to find mistakes inside the R8’s cabin and its performance figures but couldn’t find anything wrong except the massive spoiler with the R8 Plus model. I just don’t like spoilers that are visible, when they are not functioning. If you don’t like it, just go for the normal R8!

The Quattro drivetrain of the second-gen R8 can split the power between the rear and front axles by up to 100%! So the grip you will experience with the second-gen R8 will be insane. While experiencing the ultimate handling, the seating position and visibility will not put you into a depression. The R8 feels really comfortable for long journeys.

The best bit about the second-gen R8 is the laser headlights! Forget the xenon or LEDs; laser light is the future, and it is available with the new R8.

In terms of price point, the second-gen Audi R8 Plus is competing with the Porsche 911 Turbo. However, compared with the entry spec Porsche 911 Turbo, when you start adding options to the 911 Turbo, the pricing reaches the top of the Everest. Regarding the performance figures, the R8 Plus is 0.5 seconds slower than the 911 Turbo. If you are heading for a full-spec 911 Carrera 4S (costs the same as the Audi R8), the R8 is faster by 0.6 seconds.

These performance figures are only numbers; for some people, the Porsche 911 is the king, and for some people, the Audi R8 is the modern world hero. Which one is better depends on your taste.