Audi R8 Road Test

Audi R8

The R8 is 4.3-metres long, 1.9-metres wide and 1.25-metres tall, so the two occupants sit low but have plenty of leg- and shoulder-room. Behind the seats is a boxed-platform and up to 90-litres of luggage space (if you don’t mind covering the rear window), which is enough to accommodate two golf bags. A further 100-litres of storage is available under the bonnet, which means that a weekend away requires thoughtful packing.

When it comes to safety systems, the R8 benefits from a lexicon of initials; Version 8 of the Electronic Stability Control, networks with the ABS plus EBD, Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and Electronic Differential Lock traction control or EDL. The ESP has two settings: ‘standard’ allows a bit of leeway before intervening and ‘sport’ is for more spirited driving. For track-days, the ESP and traction control can be de-activated and, of course, the Quattro system plays a large part in keeping the car on the road.

The car’s dimensions and stance means that it is inherently stable and the use of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) as a starting point renders the R8, lightweight but rigid, so the driver can make the most of fast bends and twisting roads.

The test car also had the clever, Audi Magnetic Ride system (£1,350), where the usual damper fluid is replaced by magnetorheological fluid, in which are suspended, microscopic magnetic particles. When voltage is applied to the system’s electro-magnets, the particles change direction, like iron filings, increasing the viscosity of the fluid and controlling the amount of damper movement, to suit driving conditions. This is system also has a ‘sport’ setting, where you can feel the car almost bristle with anticipation.

The R8 may be good looking but it’s the 4.2 FSI, V8 engine, mounted ahead of the rear axle that gives the car its heart. The fact that it is easily visible through the cover, adds to the notion of sportiness and power. But it’s more than a notion, as this unit produces 420Nm of torque between 4,500- and 6,000rpm and around 90 per cent of that is available from 3,500- to 7,500rpm. No less than 420PS is output at 7,800rpm, just before the red line at 8,250rpm.

It takes 4.2 seconds to reach 62mph from standstill and 124mph (where legal) arrives in 14.9 seconds. The top speed is an excessive 187mph, which, according to Audi, is only limited at this point, by drag. The maximum speed and sprint times are the same for both the 6-speed manual and the R-tronic sequential ’box but the fuel consumption figures are understandably, a little different. Official figures for the manual are 12.7-, 27.6-, and 19.3mpg for the urban, extra-urban and combined, respectively and the car emits some 349g/km, CO2.

Audi anticipates that the majority of R8 customers will be men aged between 40 and 49 years of age. Furthermore, the company tells us that it is classed as a classic sports car, rather than a small one, such as the TT, which is more likely to be the women’s choice. Built in Germany, largely by hand with the help of a few robots, the R8 is produced at a rate of 20 per day - so you’d better choose from the six colour combinations, pick your optional extras and place an order, now.