Audi is undoubtedly one of the top luxury car manufacturers in the world, along with fellow German giants like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. Together, those three manufacturers defined the luxury car market as we see it today, even from their earliest days in the 20th century.
The latest supercar from Audi was quick to make waves when it was revealed at several auto shows around the world. Since the 2019 model was not available for US buyers, Audi has announced that the 2020 R8 will be available in the US, much to the joy of American Audi enthusiasts, especially those with the big bucks: the R8 base model is priced at $171,150, and it is pricey, although much cheaper than other luxury car brands.
So what makes the 2020 Audi R8 so special? Read on to find out.
15 Handbuilt
The 2020 Audi R8 comes straight out of Audi’s renowned manufacturing facility in Neckarsulm, Germany, where a team of 241 technicians is responsible for measuring and assembling the R8 by their own hands. Of course, robotics is still used in the manufacturing process to maintain quality and safety, but it’s replaced by manual labor whenever possible.
14 One Of The Last V10s
You may think it’s all over for V10 engines, but that’s far from true. Although the V10 is still used in only 2 production cars, it still holds a special place in every car enthusiast’s heart. Along with the Lamborghini Huracan, the R8 houses a hand-assembled V10 with a 562 horsepower output.
13 Unique Interior
Although many modern production cars rely heavily on providing big touch screens, the R8 does things much differently. The interior of the R8 is full of luxurious leather and gives an authentic driving experience with its traditional gauge cluster. It also has voice-command options and comprehensive steering wheel controls and dials.
12 Top Speed Of 200 Mph
The Audi R8 comes in 4 different trims, and all of them can achieve a top speed of 200 mph, and it’s the first time for all cars on the R8 lineup to have a top speed of 200 mph. More advanced trims like the R8 Performance Coupe and the Performance Spyder can even hit higher speeds.
11 Seven-Speed Automatic Gearbox
Although many car enthusiasts still love cars with a manual transmission, Audi abandoned the manual transmission option for the 2020 R8, although it was previously available. The R8 now has a seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission that also has built-in launch control and paddle shifters on the steering wheel, making for a smooth ride.
10 The R8 Coupe
The base model of the R8 is the R8 Coupe, which holds the starting price of the lineup at $172,850. In true sports car fashion, the R8 Coupe has just 2 seats and 2 doors. The Coupe, notably, is also similar to the R8 GT3 LMS race car, sharing about 50% of parts with it.
9 The R8 Spyder
The amazing R8 Spyder model is priced at a bargain price of $185,050, and it gives you an incredible diving experience with the option to roll down the soft top with just a touch of a button, turning the R8 into a stylish convertible that also still boasts amazing supercar performance.
8 The Decennium
This limited edition model of the R8 was created to celebrate 10 years of the V10 engine powering R8 models. Only 222 units of the Decennium were made for worldwide distribution, and 50 of them are reserved for the United States. The Decennium stands out from other R8 models because of its unique colors and exterior design.
7 All-New Exterior
The 2020 R8 has an all-new and revamped exterior look. The R8’s front end wears a stylish grill with three faux inlets. The R8 also has wider intakes and sports an improved aerodynamic design. The exclusive Audi program also allows customers to personalize the R8’s looks in terms of body and side blade colors.
6 No Shopping Trips
It was a daring decision from R8 to exclude cargo space from its priorities, seeing as the industry today places great value on practicality. However, Audi seems to intend the R8 be driven for one purpose only, and it’s the sheer enjoyment of the driving experience. The R8 has only 8 cubic feet of cargo space.
5 LED Entry Lights
Another thing that sets the R8 apart is its entry lights option. Upon opening the R8’s doors, the entry light goes on and lights up the ground under the door. It’s actually great for providing safety at night. You can choose between a “Quattro” entry light or one with the iconic Audi logo.
4 Diamond Quilted Leather
The interior on all 4 trims of the R8 is amazing, although the top-level one just blows your mind away. You can pick from 8 colors, and even go so far as to pick the color of the stitching. The seats are made from luxurious diamond-quilted authentic Napa leather.
3 Personalization
If you’ve dropped that much cash on a new Audi, of course, you deserve to have a little say in how it looks. Audi is offering R8 owners a special line of accessories they can use to accessorize their cars like floor mats, covers, as well as telecommunication or charging accessories.
2 The Gecko
Any Audi enthusiasts know and love the Audi Gecko. The Gecko as a symbol was introduced back in 2005 in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Audi’s all-wheel-drive system, eventually becoming a symbol of the Quattro system. The cool Gecko air freshener is among the accessories you can get for the R8.
1 Farewell R8
If you’re planning on getting your hands on an R8, move fast: there have been multiple rumors that the 2020 R8 will be the last of the lineup due to strong competition from next-generation Lamborghini Huracan. That means Audi will put out an all-new, more amazing car, but we are sad to see the R8 go.