Audi R8 cars for sale

Frequently asked questions about the Audi R8

• What is the Audi R8?
• The R8 is Audi's version of a supercar. It first graced UK roads in 2007, and is well known as 'the supercar you can live with day to day'. It's hugely recognisable thanks to its wide flanks and fat tyres. Oh, and Ironman drives one.
  
  Throughout its life in the UK it's been available in several different trim levels, plus special editions, and with a V8 or V10 petrol engine. Early models were available with a manual gearbox too.

• Which versions of the Audi R8 are available?
• At time of writing, the Audi R8 is available as a coupe (referred to just as the R8) as well as a convertible, which Audi calls Spyder. Both coupe and convertible are available as the RWD model, the quattro, the V10 Performance quattro, and the V10 Performance Carbon Black. All Audi R8s only come with two-doors. It's important to note that the Audi R8 is mid-engined. This means that rather than having the engine at the front of a car, like with say, a Ford Fiesta, the R8's engine sits behind the driver. This means the boot is at the front of the car.
  
  The engine range is nice and easy to remember - there's only one and it's a huge 5.2-litre petrol. Its power output depends on which version you choose. The RWD model comes with 540hp, the V10 quattro makes do with 570hp, while the V10 Performance quattro and V10 Performance Carbon versions make an earth-moving 620hp. Previous generations of the R8 were available with a 4.0-litre V8.
  
  Audi offers the R8 in four distinct trim levels. The V10 RWD does away with Audi's four-wheel drive system, and opts for just the rear wheels to have power sent to them. This is aimed at enthusiasts who like the playful nature of a rear-wheel drive car. Next up is the V10 quattro. More power than the RWD model, plus, four-wheel drive. The V10 Performance quattro and Performance Carbon Black offer the most amount of power. The only difference is that the Carbon Black has different wheels and a few carbonfibre bits. Oh, and it's close to ten grand more expensive.

• What is the Audi R8 Performance Version?
• Crowning the R8 range is the V10 Performance Carbon Black. Although to be fair, every R8 is pretty well endowed in the performance department. 
  
  The 620hp rocket is good for 201mph and a 0-62mph time in less than three seconds. Those startling figures are broadly the same across the whole range - except for the less powerful RWD model. That'll still get to 201mph, but takes 3.7secs to reach 62mph from a standing start. Hardly slow though. 
  
  On the used market you might come across something called the Audi R8 Plus. These versions have 602hp, so not quite as much as the full-fat Performance models.
  
  While we're here, let's talk turbos. The 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine goes without turbocharging assistance. This makes it more enjoyable to drive, as the throttle is instant and you're not waiting for turbos to spin up. In other words, response from the engine is pure and linear, and the engine note has to be heard to be really appreciated.

• Is the Audi R8 good to drive?
• Boy howdy, the Audi R8 is good to drive. Thanks to its even distribution of weight, it handles with a balance that few other cars can. Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system shuffles power between all four wheels seamlessly, which means it has huge levels of traction. It may have an electronic steering system, but we found it to be incredibly accurate. Responsive too.
  
  Smashing the performance mode on the Performance models makes the four-wheel drive system more rearwardly biased. It can certainly make the R8 a bit sharper and dartier. It'll even drift if you really mash the throttle and dial in some serious steering angle.
  
  The most driver-focussed R8s are the rear-wheel drive models. It feels that bit more agile than the four-wheel drive models, and serious drivers will appreciate the mid-corner adjustability these offer.

• Should I buy an Audi R8?
• If you're in the market for a supercar, we can thoroughly recommend an Audi R8. The reason you see so many more of these around than a Ferrari, is that the R8 is genuinely a supercar you can live with day to day. You don't have to seek out some far flung specialist to get it serviced, the front boot is 112 litres, so big enough for a couple of weekend bags, and it's even comfortable, thanks to Audi's magnetic ride system that allows the suspension to change from stiff to supple in seconds.
  
  While dynamically, it still does what a supercar needs to do - thrill you. The 0-62mph time is frankly outrageous, and the mid-engine naturally aspirated V10 engine is a work of art.