The R8 debuted back in 2006 as Audi's halo model, and it's kept that crown ever since. It's only been through one generational update in 2015, and since then it's remained on sale mostly unchanged except for a few minor upgrades. In comparison, much of its competition is a lot newer. The Maserati MC20 is a brand-new rival that was only released to customers a few months ago, and the similarly-priced McLaren GT has only been in production since 2019.
So, the question is, can the Audi still compete in this crowded field of supercars? To answer that, it's worth breaking down the car into key areas and seeing exactly how it stacks up against its competition. To really stand out in today's market, a performance car has to be powerful and fun to drive, but it also has to be luxurious to sit inside. Plus, it needs to look good, and come with all the tech features that today's buyers expect. It's a lot for any car to get right, so let's take a closer look at the 2022 R8 and see how it fares.
8 Power
In terms of raw horsepower, the R8 manages to be average but far from class-leading. The "standard" R8 makes 562 hp and the top-spec Performance version makes 602 hp. It's comfortably more than the likes of the 528 hp Aston Martin Vantage, but it falls short of the 640 hp offered in the Porsche 911 Turbo S.
Numbers aside, the R8 definitely feels fast to drive, although it lacks the face-melting acceleration of the 911 Turbo S. One thing about the Audi that can't be knocked is its exhaust note, which will be ringing in the driver's ears long after they've stepped out of the car.
7 Handling
With close to two decades of development work being put into the R8, there's an expectation that its handling should be spot on, and it delivers. It's precise and unfussy, making it somewhat easier to drive than many of its more unpredictable rivals. That's not to say it's boring, far from it. In fact, its greatest strength is that most drivers will feel comfortable pushing the limits of the car even if they haven't had much time behind the wheel.
However, the R8 is not without its flaws, and its transmission is its main one. Only an auto gearbox is offered, and it tends to downshift at awkward times, spiking the engine revs before correcting itself. Rivals like the Aston Martin Vantage still offer a manual gearbox, and although they're not the most popular option with customers, it's a shame the R8 doesn't at least offer one.
6 Styling
For a car that's significantly older than many of its rivals, the Audi does a very good job of still looking sharp. Its aggressive styling shares many cues with the rest of Audi's lineup, but it still looks unique enough to justify its status as a halo car.
It's notably better looking than its similarly veteran rival, the Nissan GTR. The Nismo version of the GTR costs roughly the same as an R8, and yet the GTR looks years older due to Nissan's stale design. If the GTR is a prime example of what not to do with an older car, the R8 is the exact opposite. The 2022 car will still turn just as many heads at a car meet as the original would have done back in 2006.
5 Interior
One of the biggest issues that many modern supercars suffer with is that their interior doesn't match up to their wild exteriors and performance figures. The R8 shares its platform with the Lamborghini Huracan, but you wouldn't know, as there are no aircraft-style switches or jagged lines in here at all.
Instead, the Audi has the more suave, refined cabin of the pair, and as a result, it's a more inviting place to sit in for longer journeys. There's quite a wide range of interior colors and patterns available, so pickier buyers will be able to spec the car exactly to their liking. While the front seats have plenty of room for taller passengers, there isn't much room for anything else. Even compared to other supercars, there's very little luggage space available in the Audi, which limits its usefulness as a daily driver.
4 Tech and Connectivity
It might not be the first thing buyers think of when choosing a supercar, but tech and connectivity can make a big difference for those who plan to use their car regularly. After all, no one wants to spend $200,000 on a 2022 car and feel like they're stepping into an antique.
The Audi is very well-equipped in this department, with the center console featuring a few buttons for key functions and everything else being controlled via the digital dash. It's a system carried over from other Audi models, and it works well here. Built-in navigation, voice commands, and a WiFi hotspot are all included as standard.
3 Practicality
Let's be clear about this: no one is buying a supercar primarily for its practicality. But, one of the big selling points of a car like the Porsche 911 is that it can be used as an everyday driver just as easily as it can be used as a track day toy. The R8 doesn't quite offer the same versatility for a few key reasons.
The first is the lack of luggage space, which as mentioned earlier, is small even by supercar standards. Second is its fuel economy, which is bottom of the class. It's hardly a deal-breaker, but it means long road trips will require more stops for gas than many rivals like the Aston Martin DB11 and McLaren GT.
2 Prestige
Prestige is a very difficult category to measure, as opinions about each supercar and manufacturer will vary vastly from person to person. But, when Motor Trend runs articles calling the R8 an "unloved supercar" and claiming everyone forgot it existed, you can be sure it's not the most prestigious choice out there.
Compare that to the Porsche 911, a car with similarly-priced trims that are regularly celebrated for its iconic status and has a large dedicated fanbase all over the globe. Prestige isn't everything, but most buyers want their cars to be status symbols, so it's something to consider.
1 Price
For 2022, the R8 coupe starts at a base price of $151,895 and the spyder at $172,095. Buyers who want the upgraded Performance trim will have to splash out considerably more, with the coupe costing $202,995 and the spyder $216,995. Those numbers are broadly comparable to the rest of the supercar market, putting the Audi right in the middle of its class.
A Porsche 911 Turbo S coupe costs roughly the same as the R8 Performance, with a $208,350 price tag. The Aston Martin Vantage is the bargain of the group, with a starting price of just $142,086, and the Maserati MC20 is the most costly with a base-level starting price of around $250,000 for the spyder. In that context, the R8's price is competitive but not class-leading, a sentiment that probably sums up its overall appeal in the supercar market right now.