Audi R8 5.2 FSI [570] V10 Performance Ed 2dr S Tronic RWD Review

Category: Sports car

Section: Version review

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~~RRP £145,805~~What Car? Target Price£144,378

Fuel type:

petrol

Gearbox:

semi-auto

Doors:

2 doors

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Review

Equipment

Specification

The model

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The Audi R8 does everything a proper supercar should and then some. It's rampantly quick in a straight line, especially the Performance quattro model, and features one of the best engines of any supercar on sale. The cherry on top is that the cheapest version is also the best – the rear-wheel drive RWD rides beautifully and is the sweetest-handling R8. It’s even surprisingly well-equipped, which is one reason we prefer it to the Porsche 911. Of course, if you're looking for the absolute last word in finesse and purity, there are dynamically superior cars, like the Lamborghini Huracan, which is fine as long as you have pots more cash to spend. If not, then bag yourself an R8 RWD.

The trim

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The engine

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Being naturally aspirated, the V10 rips through the rev range and responds immediately without the turbo lag you experience in most rivals. You do have to work the R8's engine harder to release all its performance – the real fireworks don’t start until it's past 5000rpm – but that simply adds to its glorious appeal because by then the noise it's making is spectacular. We love the 533bhp RWD version, which is fast enough, but the extra power (562bhp), its haste (0-62mph in 3.4sec) and the stability of quattro four-wheel drive are very appealing.

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