New Audi R8 Spyder RWD review - How good is 2022-s hottest V10 cabrio? - Autocar
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Date: 2022-04-17
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Comments and reviews: 10
Eric
I own a Gen-1 2015 V10 - I ordered it new back in 2014. This car will NEVER, ever, ever. EVER. be sold. It's a car I'll keep indefinitely. Why? Simply put, it's a masterpiece. You can start by recognizing that the Gen-1 R8 was Audi's first production supercar - that, in and of itself, is historically important. But, more importantly, this car got built thanks only in no small part to the utter domination of the Audi R8 Le Mans racecar - which won Le Mans a staggering 5 out of the 6 times it competed, shattering all sorts of records. The nameplate -R8- was a very significant thing, indeed.
Beyond the pedigree, you have the car itself. In Gen-1 form, it's one of the most beautiful car designs of the modern era. Keep in mind that the original design is now almost 20 years old and came to us in the form of the 2003 Le Mans Quattro Concept, which was penned by Walter De Silva as a tribute to the R8 racecar. That design was one of very few that managed to go from concept to production without altering a heck of a lot. It also ushered in the use of LED daytime running lights - a production first.
Beyond the gorgeous looks, you have an unbeatable formula of mechanicals - the heart of which is naturally aspirated 5. 2L V10 revving out to 8, 700 rpm. It's buttery smooth, linear in its power delivery, quick to rev, and just a real treat to listen to as it screams to redline. Later Gen-2 cars, particularly those for the EU market, got particulate filters that muffled the noise - so seeking an earlier car is the way to go there. Adding to the masterpiece of an engine, you have hydraulic steering in Gen-1 (replaced with electric in Gen-2, real analog dials, a real e-brake, and even a real key to turn. which doesn't sound very important until you go through the ritual of turning that key into aux, watching the dials sweep up and down, and turning it over to feel the vibration of that V10 come to life back through the key you're holding. This is the end of an era. and what a high water mark.
The Gen-1 R8, in particular, is already a modern classic, and it's a critically important part of Audi's history - a first production supercar. They nailed it - design, engine, driving dynamics, the whole nine yards. And unlike other -firsts- (like the NSX for Honda/Acura, this car has just a massive motorsport history behind it. not only in the form of the R8 Le Mans racer where the roadcar borrows its name, but the roadcar, itself, went on to dominate various competitions in the form of the R8 LMS Ultra.
If you're thinking about getting one - do it sooner than later. As the Autocar journalist points out, more and more people have started to wake up to how very special these cars are - especially as you can no longer get one. 2022 is the last production year for Gen-2, and pretty much every order allocation has already been spoken for. But, in my opinion, Gen-1 is the real R8 to buy, regardless. And there, the prices have been on the rise for a while now. and when you get behind the wheel and experience it, you'll know why!
reply
I own a Gen-1 2015 V10 - I ordered it new back in 2014. This car will NEVER, ever, ever. EVER. be sold. It's a car I'll keep indefinitely. Why? Simply put, it's a masterpiece. You can start by recognizing that the Gen-1 R8 was Audi's first production supercar - that, in and of itself, is historically important. But, more importantly, this car got built thanks only in no small part to the utter domination of the Audi R8 Le Mans racecar - which won Le Mans a staggering 5 out of the 6 times it competed, shattering all sorts of records. The nameplate -R8- was a very significant thing, indeed.
Beyond the pedigree, you have the car itself. In Gen-1 form, it's one of the most beautiful car designs of the modern era. Keep in mind that the original design is now almost 20 years old and came to us in the form of the 2003 Le Mans Quattro Concept, which was penned by Walter De Silva as a tribute to the R8 racecar. That design was one of very few that managed to go from concept to production without altering a heck of a lot. It also ushered in the use of LED daytime running lights - a production first.
Beyond the gorgeous looks, you have an unbeatable formula of mechanicals - the heart of which is naturally aspirated 5. 2L V10 revving out to 8, 700 rpm. It's buttery smooth, linear in its power delivery, quick to rev, and just a real treat to listen to as it screams to redline. Later Gen-2 cars, particularly those for the EU market, got particulate filters that muffled the noise - so seeking an earlier car is the way to go there. Adding to the masterpiece of an engine, you have hydraulic steering in Gen-1 (replaced with electric in Gen-2, real analog dials, a real e-brake, and even a real key to turn. which doesn't sound very important until you go through the ritual of turning that key into aux, watching the dials sweep up and down, and turning it over to feel the vibration of that V10 come to life back through the key you're holding. This is the end of an era. and what a high water mark.
The Gen-1 R8, in particular, is already a modern classic, and it's a critically important part of Audi's history - a first production supercar. They nailed it - design, engine, driving dynamics, the whole nine yards. And unlike other -firsts- (like the NSX for Honda/Acura, this car has just a massive motorsport history behind it. not only in the form of the R8 Le Mans racer where the roadcar borrows its name, but the roadcar, itself, went on to dominate various competitions in the form of the R8 LMS Ultra.
If you're thinking about getting one - do it sooner than later. As the Autocar journalist points out, more and more people have started to wake up to how very special these cars are - especially as you can no longer get one. 2022 is the last production year for Gen-2, and pretty much every order allocation has already been spoken for. But, in my opinion, Gen-1 is the real R8 to buy, regardless. And there, the prices have been on the rise for a while now. and when you get behind the wheel and experience it, you'll know why!
reply
Gerald
Why has Auto car got to be so churlish in anything other than a Beemer or Porsche. You fail to mention exclusivity, I would wager you park the R8 on a street anywhere in the world within a couple of feet of a 911 its the Audi that draws the crowd and the admiring glances. I'd bet if Audi had put a full touch interface in the final R8 which the Porsche now has in its latest offering, you guys at Autocar would bemoan the lack of purity of the old design. Audi can never seem to please Autocar, you complain about the car having conventional dampers as if that is a but you lauded a stripped out Porsche Taycan in a electric comparison with a properly compromised I4M50 yet you bring it up in the Audi as if its a bad thing when the car rides impeccably. When is this bias going to be redressed I wonder. You guts are falling behind so badly with to the independent contributors. If you want to see how it's done watch Joe Achiles appraisal of the same car and Joe is a major BMW enthusiast but he can still give a full and fair appraisal of the car Audi as he did with the RS3 in stark contrast to Autocars now infamous and still the ridiculous review vs a BMW M3 Competition. Please look and learn before it's too late for your brand.
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Why has Auto car got to be so churlish in anything other than a Beemer or Porsche. You fail to mention exclusivity, I would wager you park the R8 on a street anywhere in the world within a couple of feet of a 911 its the Audi that draws the crowd and the admiring glances. I'd bet if Audi had put a full touch interface in the final R8 which the Porsche now has in its latest offering, you guys at Autocar would bemoan the lack of purity of the old design. Audi can never seem to please Autocar, you complain about the car having conventional dampers as if that is a but you lauded a stripped out Porsche Taycan in a electric comparison with a properly compromised I4M50 yet you bring it up in the Audi as if its a bad thing when the car rides impeccably. When is this bias going to be redressed I wonder. You guts are falling behind so badly with to the independent contributors. If you want to see how it's done watch Joe Achiles appraisal of the same car and Joe is a major BMW enthusiast but he can still give a full and fair appraisal of the car Audi as he did with the RS3 in stark contrast to Autocars now infamous and still the ridiculous review vs a BMW M3 Competition. Please look and learn before it's too late for your brand.
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Scott
This is what happens when bean counters have the final say on new releases!
Let-s give it less power than the V10 plus - check
Let-s take away the world renowned Quattro 4wd system - check
Let-s make the handling dull and clinical - check
Unforgivable Audi.
You had a chance to let the iconic R8 go out with a bang instead it will skulk off sheepishly
This platform had a huge chance to make a statement and go out giving its competitors the V sign.
Safely squeeze the engine up to 650 bhp
Weight saving using carbon and other composites
Limited numbers and you could then charge what you wanted.
The final naturally aspirated 5. 2l V10 before we go all electric at the top of your brand would then be a future classic.
Instead we are left scratching our heads.
Idiotic and commercial suicide.
reply
This is what happens when bean counters have the final say on new releases!
Let-s give it less power than the V10 plus - check
Let-s take away the world renowned Quattro 4wd system - check
Let-s make the handling dull and clinical - check
Unforgivable Audi.
You had a chance to let the iconic R8 go out with a bang instead it will skulk off sheepishly
This platform had a huge chance to make a statement and go out giving its competitors the V sign.
Safely squeeze the engine up to 650 bhp
Weight saving using carbon and other composites
Limited numbers and you could then charge what you wanted.
The final naturally aspirated 5. 2l V10 before we go all electric at the top of your brand would then be a future classic.
Instead we are left scratching our heads.
Idiotic and commercial suicide.
reply
SixPotShot
It is one of those cars that never cut the mustard and never will: Audi simply doesn't have the mentality: this is a machine from another machine (a corporation - a corporation that when a unique and magnificent Bauhaus TT was successfully born didn't waste time to turn it into another boring corporative Audi on the following generation. ) and additionally gets undermined by its siblings starting with the A1. Want a V10? Spend the money and buy the real thing.
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It is one of those cars that never cut the mustard and never will: Audi simply doesn't have the mentality: this is a machine from another machine (a corporation - a corporation that when a unique and magnificent Bauhaus TT was successfully born didn't waste time to turn it into another boring corporative Audi on the following generation. ) and additionally gets undermined by its siblings starting with the A1. Want a V10? Spend the money and buy the real thing.
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kurt
You choose the carbon ceramic brakes because there's no brake dust. Duh.
And something's up with the exhaust on that car, there's no pop's and crackles on the over run. That can't be something to do with the RWD vs AWD can it?
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You choose the carbon ceramic brakes because there's no brake dust. Duh.
And something's up with the exhaust on that car, there's no pop's and crackles on the over run. That can't be something to do with the RWD vs AWD can it?
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Andrew
Nothing with EPAS has any steering feel, it is just more or less direct.
Non powered steering is the best for feel but of course with modern tyres and weight. so need hydraulic, but that is a devil to live with, not EPAS.
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Nothing with EPAS has any steering feel, it is just more or less direct.
Non powered steering is the best for feel but of course with modern tyres and weight. so need hydraulic, but that is a devil to live with, not EPAS.
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TornadoDaddy
Id take this over most cars for that engine/exhaust. I am glad its normal and kind of boring because it will be that much more comfortable to live with and deal with between corners and tunnels.
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Id take this over most cars for that engine/exhaust. I am glad its normal and kind of boring because it will be that much more comfortable to live with and deal with between corners and tunnels.
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luedriver
vw/audi should have included a w12 engine and a model that goes full on mechanical (manual gearbox, throttle brake steering rack)
something of an homage to the vw nardo that never was
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vw/audi should have included a w12 engine and a model that goes full on mechanical (manual gearbox, throttle brake steering rack)
something of an homage to the vw nardo that never was
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Andy
With a manual gearbox it would be even more epic. I will really miss this stuff in the next future. I can't imagine a future without petrol supercars. And nice review by the way.
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With a manual gearbox it would be even more epic. I will really miss this stuff in the next future. I can't imagine a future without petrol supercars. And nice review by the way.
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Wolfy
Nice intro piece to camera. oh wait - refreshing to cut out the babble and straight into the nitty gritty. Autocar please let this man do more of his nonsense reviews!
reply
Nice intro piece to camera. oh wait - refreshing to cut out the babble and straight into the nitty gritty. Autocar please let this man do more of his nonsense reviews!
reply
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