What’s German in its heart, American in its soul, looks like a road going jet plane and revs up to 8,700 rpm? Well, it’s a 2022 Audi R8. For those of you that don’t know, this is Audi’s halo model that was first introduced back in 2006 and hasn’t aged very much since then. Tech updates, interior touch-ups, and little to no changes until 2015 were the common theme before Audi released the second-generation R8, which is now getting the 2022 updates. For 2022 Audi gets a quattro-less performance RWD variant, which will make it 0.4 seconds slower alongside a 40 horsepower step down.
This, however, makes the 2022 R8 V10 Performance RWD a fun-to-drive roadster, and today we will take a closer look at what we love about it.
A Naturally Aspirated V10 Engine
It does look like a supercar, and it does get those hearty, visceral engine noises that Audi promises, however, the engine on the R8 doesn’t get any fancy turbocharging or supercharging. We like to say the R8 has got an American-inspired soul, hence the mid-engine, naturally aspirated V10: C8 Corvettes get that mid-engine 6.2-liter V8, naturally aspirated LT2.
The 2022 Audi R8 V10 performance RWD gets a 5.2-liter FSI engine, producing 562 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds, reaching a top speed of 204 mph. The 5.2-liter V10 is paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission, slightly modified for RWD duty.
It’s not just fast, it’s a hardworking visceral V10, also found on the Lamborghini Huracan. The sound testing has been done in a freeway tunnel on the Spanish island of Gran Canaria, with the V10 revving to its max 8700-rpm redline. This engine is one of the reasons that make the R8 performance RWD special, as Audi is considering a Hybrid replacement for the V10 FSI used among the R8 and its Italian sibling the Huracan. The R8 Performance RWD remains muted at lower revs, like in earlier R8s, radiating a totally different aural character than the always-shouty Lamborghini Huracán.
The Quattro-less R8 Appeals To Purists
Not only is the performance rear-wheel-drive R8 lighter, and more fun to drive, but it’s also cheaper than its Quattro counterpart. Audi marks the RWD Performance as a more dynamic option, despite the fact that its simplicity of purpose owes in large part to cost-cutting efforts. The 2022 performance rear-wheel-drive rides on non-adaptive dampers and sends power to the rear wheels via a limited-slip differential rather than an electronically controlled unit, which is unusual for this segment of the market, especially for 2022.
Due to the removal of the front differential, prop shaft, and multi-plate clutch, the R8 performance RWD weighs 67 pounds less than the Quattro. The RWD R8 also has a stiffer front anti-roll bar, a solid rear axle (rather than the Quattro's hollow design), and higher negative camber in the rear wheels.
The R8 Spyder And Coupe
The 2022 Audi R8 comes in two body shapes - coupe and spyder. It is one of the most desirable cars offered by Audi. The 2022 R8 looks fantastic - we believe the exterior must be at the top of a typical supercar buyer's wish list. It must not only appear exotic, but it must also be gorgeous. If you're looking for one of these vehicles, you don't just want it to turn heads; you want it to make people's jaws drop as they run for their phones to take a picture with it.
There is a slight difference between the two, as the Spyder is slightly heavier due to the extra weight of the drop-top. One of the coolest features of the R8 Spyder is the opening and closing roof, which can be operated with speeds of up to 31mph. Although the R8 hasn't changed much from its original 2006 model, it still gets a razor-sharp design bumper to bumper, which we all love.
Race Like Interior Will Make The Driver Feel Good
Another really cool feature of the R8 is the interior. Most supercars come filled with tech, but that’s not the case with the R8. Audi has kept the dashboard design opulent yet simple, and this is what we like best from the interior. The "monoposto" is a broad, strongly curved arch that sweeps around the space in front of the driver's seat, creating the atmosphere of a racecar cockpit. The Audi Virtual Cockpit is where all the tech features of the R8 live. The driver can perform all necessary functions without taking their hands off the wheel or their gaze away from the road. The driver and passenger sink into the new R8 bucket or sports seats, which are covered in leather or Alcantara. In front of the passenger seat, the words RWD are inscribed on a plaque.On the whole, the R8 is a practical supercar and we just love it.