Out of all the painful dilemmas one might encounter in their lifetime, a rare positive one we’d all love to find ourselves in is being forced to pick between two supercars. This is a common case among parent company brothers, the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracán, which share the same underpinnings despite coming in at radically different starting prices.

While the Huracán is a purebred supercar meant to tear up the track and compete against the likes of the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S, and the Audi R8, on the other hand, is more of a roadgoing performer that competes against models such as the Porsche 911 Turbo, the two sibling have a lot more in common than you might think.

These similarities often lead to people calling the Audi R8 a half-off Huracán, and even though there are plenty of ways to justify the Lamborghini Huracán’s immensely high price, we’re here to tell you why the Audi R8 is a bargain in comparison.

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The Audi R8 Has The Same Engine As The Lamborghini Huracán

2023 Audi R8 V10 GT RWD engine bay
via Audi 

The Lamborghini Huracán is a popular choice among supercars, in part because it’s one of the few models in its class to offer a full-fledged V10 that revs up to an 8500 rpm redline while producing one of the most glorious engine sounds in the entire industry. With that said, gaining access to that V10 comes at a hefty price, and the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán starts at $240,500 for the entry-level Técnica model, while the range-topping STO comes in all the way at $334,000. What’s the alternative?

You guessed it, the V10-powered 2023 Audi R8. It comes with the exact same engine found in the 2022 Lamborghini Huracán EVO, in the form of a 5.2-liter DOHC naturally-aspirated V10 that produces 562 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque in the entry-level R8 and 602 ponies in the Performance version. That’s a mighty power plant for a car that starts at $161,000, and mated with a 7-speed DCT automatic transmission, it allows the 2023 R8 to accelerate from 0-60 mph in just 3.1 seconds. That’s an insane amount of performance for the price, and the V10 from the R8 revs to 8700 rpm, whereas current Huracán redlines at 8500 rpm.

In all fairness though, the latest 2023 Lamborghini Huracán Técnica has a slightly uptuned version of the R8’s V10, which translates to a total of 631 horsepower and 417 pound-feet of torque. Along with a chassis that’s optimized for performance, the Huracán can rocket to 60 mph in just 2.5 seconds.

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The 2023 Audi R8 Is Still A Beast Around The Track

Audi R8 V10 GT RWD Front View With Earlier R8 Generations
via Audi

We’re not going to try to compare the Audi R8’s track prowess to that of the 2023 Lamborghini Huracán, simply because the latter is on a whole other level. Sure, both vehicles use the same platform and share the same powerplant, but Lamborghini adds a hoard of chassis tech that makes the Huracán a complete beast, especially in models like the ultra track-focused STO. The Lambo comes standard with incredibly stiff suspension, widely enhanced aerodynamics and downforce, rear-wheel steering, and even a predictive steering LDVI system that literally makes the car as responsive as you could ask for.

In short, you shouldn't expect the Audi R8 to handle anything like the Lamborghini Huracán, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t great in its own right. Steering is still incredibly precise, and both RWD and AWD versions remain firmly planted around corners. Regular versions get adaptive suspension - which greatly improves ride comfort, while Performance versions get standard fixed dampers for sporty stiffness and enhanced handling.

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The Audi R8 Is A Better Daily Driver Than The Lamborghini Huracán

Audi R8 Front Quarter Yellow
Audi

Being less track-focused than the Huracán actually makes the Audi R8 a better fit for consumers that do most of their driving on the road, especially if they do so regularly. In terms of materials, both the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracán offer top-notch quality in the form of leather upholstery, Alcantara trimming, and carbon fiber inserts. However, the R8’s seats are far more absorbing and comfortable than those in the Huracán, as is the overall ride quality when equipped with adaptive dampers.

Boiling things down, the Audi R8 is definitely a cheaper alternative for those that want supercar-level performance without having to part ways with north of $300,000. It’s head-rearingly fast, gorgeous, and loaded with tech and comfort amenities. However, the fact that it’s cheaper than the Lamborghini Huracán is quite justified; the raging bull makes use of the R8’s V10 in a far crazier manner, taking performance and trackability to unrivaled heights.