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Audi
R8 Coupe

Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10 Quattro Performance 2dr S Tronic Review

Category: Sports car

Section: Version review

Fuel type:
petrol
Gearbox:
semi-auto
Doors:
2 doors
Audi R8 2021 front
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  • Audi R8 2021 interior detail
  • Audi R8 2021 front
  • Audi R8 2021 rear cornering
  • Audi R8 2021 interior dashboard
  • Audi R8 2021 interior detail
  • Audi R8 2021 interior infotainment
  • Audi R8 2021 rear tracking
  • Audi R8 2021 front left tracking
  • Audi R8 2021 front tracking
  • Audi R8 2021 alloy wheel detail
  • Audi R8 2021 rear light detail
  • Audi R8 2021 front right static
  • Audi R8 2021 engine detail
  • Audi R8 2021 steering wheel detail
  • Audi R8 2021 driver display detail
  • Audi R8 2021 interior detail
RRP£149,890
Review

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 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 is the best-riding and sweetest-handling R8. It’s even surprisingly well-equipped, which is another reason why 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 McLaren 570S, 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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On top of the Quattro, the Performance adds 20in alloy wheels, a sports exhaust, black tailpipes, ceramic brakes, high-beam assist, bucket seats and carbon interior trim. The fuel tank is smaller, though, at 73 litres.

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 of the Performance (a mighty 612bhp), its hast (0-62mph takes just 3.1sec) and the stability of quattro four-wheel drive are all highly appealing.

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Key information

Doors2
Seats2
0-62 MPH3.1 seconds
Fuel TypePetrol
GearboxSEMI-AUTO

Available colours

MPGOfficial overall fuel economy figure

21.7

Boot CapacityHow much space is there?

112

litres

EmissionsOfficial emissions rating

296

g/km

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