For more than a decade, the Audi R8 has served as Audi’s preeminent sports car. Based on the Lamborghini Huracan, the R8 is powered by a mid-engine V10 producing 562 horsepower (and a cool 602 hp in the Performance trim), its specs suggest an extreme supercar.
Exterior Design
The character of the R8 models carries over the sharpened design enhancements for the 2021 model year. The Singleframe® grille features the honeycomb design with R8 badge. On the R8 V10 performance models, the lower trim is finished in matte Titanium color, with an option to select carbon fiber. The sideblades, mirror housings, and rear spoiler of the R8 V10 performance model are finished in carbon. At the rear of the vehicle, the dominant diffuser frames the sport exhaust with black oval tailpipes.
The V10 performance models come standard equipped with 20-inch 5-double-spoke-dynamic design milled cut wheels in titanium finish, with an option to change the color to anthracite finish. The ceramic brake calipers are available in red or blue, along with the standard gray finish. The available carbon fiber front sway bar saves 2 kg (4.4 lb.) of weight.
For the RWD, unique design elements hint at the model’s special status. The front blade, the side sill inserts, and the rear diffuser are painted in high-gloss black as standard. The sideblades are finished in Mythos black and the rear exhaust tips are finished in chrome.
Additional exterior elements include:
Standard LED headlights and LED taillights with dynamic turn signals for all R8 models.
Audi laser light is standard on V10 performance models and available for RWD variants. The laser module, which is active at speeds of 40 mph and above (when conditions permit), supplements the LED high beam and is designed to enhance visibility for the driver by projecting a low and wide beam of light on the road ahead.
As an option, the Audi rings and logo can be painted in high-gloss black on R8 V10 performance models.
Infotainment System
There’s no center infotainment screen in the Audi and it is only the driver who has all the control over the infotainment system Audi has integrated the infotainment system into Audi’s virtual cockpit system. A large 12.3 inch sits right behind the steering and gives the driver access to everything she/he wants to control in the car.
The infotainment system is pretty basic and as standard, you only get an 8 speaker audio system, Bluetooth integration, HD radio, and AM/FM stereo. However, there’s an optional Bang & Olufsen 13 speaker, 550 Watt audio system on offer which takes the in-ride entertainment experience to the very next level. Other standard infotainment features include Google Earth, lap timer, Wi-Fi hotspot, G-meter, and Audi Connect.
Interior Design
Sporty features continue inside the V10 performance variants, where the driver-oriented interior features standard racing shell seats with manual adjustment and an Alcantara® headliner (coupe only). The three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom steering wheel with shift paddles includes four steering wheel-mounted satellite buttons – engine Start/Stop, Audi drive select, Performance Mode selector, and Sport exhaust. The Audi virtual cockpit, Audi phone box with signal booster, and the MMI navigation plus come standard.
Top down driving experience for both the RWD and quattro all-wheel drive models.
The soft-top in both R8 Spyder models features an electrohydraulic drive system to raise and lower the roof in about 20 seconds, at speeds of up to 31 mph. The roof was developed with lightweight construction in mind, and weighs only 97 pounds, helping to keep the weight of the vehicle and center of gravity low. It can easily be opened or closed by operating the soft-top button in the center console.
Engine, Power, Transmission
With the same naturally aspirated V10 engine found in the R8 LMS racecar, the R8 is the pinnacle of performance for Audi, with no other model bearing a closer tie to racing. The seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission can shift gears in as little as 120 ms. The R8 V10 performance generates 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque and catapults from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds for the Coupe (3.3 seconds for the Spyder), with a top track speed of 205 mph (204 mph for the Spyder).
Available Audi dynamic steering offers a variable steering ratio that adjusts based on vehicle speed and the Audi drive select setting. At higher driving speeds, a less direct steering ratio helps to facilitate a more stable drive, and at lower driving speeds, a more direct steering ratio is utilized to help increase steering response for easier maneuvering.
Specially tuned chassis allows for rear-wheel drive application, similar to the R8 V10 performance, the R8 RWD features a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine that produces 532 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. The R8 RWD will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds for the Coupe (3.7 for the Spyder), with a top track speed of 201 mph (200 mph for the Spyder). The R8 RWD weighs less than its all-wheel drive counterpart due in part to the loss of components such as the prop shaft, front axles, multi-plate clutch, and front differential.
The R8 RWD chassis has been specifically adapted for rear-wheel drive, including using solid rear axles as opposed to hollow, a stiffer front anti-roll bar, and an increase in rear negative camber. The electromechanical power steering – free of torque steer – enables precise handling and driver feedback. For a heightened driving experience, the driver can choose “dynamic” mode in the standard Audi drive select and set the Stabilization Control ESC to “sport.”
Each generation of the R8 brings to the road know-how acquired on the racetrack and from the legacy of Audi endurance racing.
The 2021 R8 V10 performance and R8 V10 RWD Coupe and Spyder will be available in winter 2020.
The 2021 Audi R8 are expected to retail at;
- 2021 Audi R8 V10 Coupe RWD – $142,700
- 2021 Audi R8 V10 Spyder RWD – $154,900
- 2021 Audi R8 V10 performance Coupe quattro – $196,700
- 2021 Audi R8 V10 performance Spyder quattro – $208,900
