2017 Audi R8 Review

The fastest and most powerful Audi of all time, the 2017 R8 represents the pinnacle of performance for any model with the four rings. Thanks to the close cooperation between Audi Sport® engineers, race drivers and developers, the Audi R8 and R8 LMS racecar were co-developed and share approximately 50 percent of the same parts, including the V10 engine.

Audi R8 V10 Plus

The R8 launches with two powertrain variants: the 5.2L V10 with 540 hp, an increase of 15 hp from the previous R8 model or the R8 V10 Plus, boasting a powerful 610 hp, an increase of 60 hp, making it faster, more powerful and more dynamic than its predecessor.

Sharing nearly half its parts with the R8 LMS racecar, the exceptional performance and agility of the R8 is dramatically enhanced by its use of advanced lightweight materials, including a mix of carbon composite and aluminum, resulting in 40% greater body rigidity as compared to its predecessor.

A sports car is only as good as it corners, and that’s where quattro® all-wheel drive comes into play. Specifically developed for the R8, this quattro® system provides exceptional traction and confidence when accelerating from a stop and tackling the road’s most challenging twists and turns.2 The R8 doesn’t merely turn corners and take on curves — it claims them as its own.

The R8 unleashes its truly monstrous power with the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 high-revving engine that produces 540 hp in the R8 V10 model and 610 hp in the R8 V10 plus, accelerating from zero to 60 mph in as little as 3.2 seconds and reaching an astonishing available top track speed of 205 mph.2 Our most powerful production engine ever, the ferocious R8 exceeds all previous expectations.

The interior design of the R8 puts the driver at the helm of the ingenious Audi virtual cockpit, which displays all essential information directly within the driver’s vision on a 12.3-inch TFT display that has outstanding resolution and clarity. With the R8, you really can take matters into your own hands.

MMI® touch

The standard MMI® touch with handwriting recognition allows drivers to control an array of vehicle systems including navigation, audio and phone functions. Coupled with the standard Audi connect® system, a world of information is easily within reach.

MMI® navigation plus

The MMI® navigation plus system provides Audi connect®, enabling Google Earth™ with 3D satellite imagery, a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight passenger devices, local traffic and weather, news and more.

Bang & Olufsen® Sound System

This standard premium audio system (available on the V10 plus model) provides unrivaled sound reproduction and clarity with 13 speakers and an impressive 550 watts of power. Add to that LED accent lighting and Dynamic Line design speaker grilles for a fully sensorial experience.

Highlight

Featuring the same naturally-aspirated V10 engine found in the R8 LMS racecar, a completely new application of quattro® all-wheel drive, and a more functional yet technologically advanced cabin, the R8 is the pinnacle of performance for Audi, with no other model bearing a closer tie to racing. Featuring an updated seven-speed S tronic® dual-clutch transmission, which can shift gears in 120 ms, the V10 model, with 540 hp and 398 lb-ft of torque reaches 60 mph in 3.5 seconds and top track speed of 199 mph. The new top model, the R8 V10 plus with 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque, catapults from zero to 60 mph in 3.2 seconds and can achieve a top track speed of 205 mph. Weighing approximately 77 pounds less than the R8 V10, the V10 plus features standard Audi carbon ceramic brakes, carbon fiber rear diffuser, front lip spoiler, exterior mirror housings and fixed rear wing spoiler, and for the first time ever in the US, racing shell seats.

Key Specifications

Price

Recommended retail price (MSRP) starts from $162,900

Interior

• Automatic climate control
• Three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom sport steering wheel with shift paddles (includes R8 badge and is leather-wrapped)
• Tilt and telescopic manually adjustable steering column
• Driver’s knee pad
• Power windows with one-touch up/down operation and pinch protection
• Anthracite matte anodized aluminum inlays
• Black Alcantara® headliner
• Auto-dimming interior rear view mirror with digital compass
• Stainless steel pedals
• Illuminated aluminum door sill inlays
• Monoposto cockpit design
• Two steering wheel-mounted satellite buttons (engine Start/Stop and Audi drive select)

Safety/ Security

• Driver single stage and front passenger dual-stage airbags, thorax side airbags, Sideguard® head-curtain airbags and knee airbags
• Front passenger occupant detection–for airbags
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer
• Direct tire-pressure monitoring system
• Driver and front passenger three-point safety belts with pre-tensioning and adaptive force limiters
• Integrated front seat head restraints
• Electromechanical parking brake

Seating

• Fine Nappa leather seats
• Heated seats
• Leather package (door armrests, pulls, insert, center armrest and driver’s knee pad covered in Fine Nappa leather)

Technology

• MMI® navigation plus with voice control system
• MMI® touch with handwriting-recognition technology
• Audi connect® with six-month trial subscription
• Bang & Olufsen® Sound System with 12 speakers and 550 watts (lower door speakers include LED ambient lighting)
• Audi virtual cockpit (12.3″ LCD fully digital instrument cluster with three visual modes: Infotainment, Classic and Sport)
• Embedded safety belt microphones (for voice control and BLUETOOTH® hands-free clarity)
• HD Radio™ Technology
• SiriusXM® Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription
• INRIX XD® Traffic (req. Audi connect® subscription)
• SDXC card slots (dual slots)
• Cruise control with coast resume and accelerate features
• Audi music interface with two USB ports
• Garage door opener (HomeLink®)
• Audi drive select
• Rain/light sensor for automatic windshield wipers and headlights
• BLUETOOTH® streaming audio for compatible devices
• BLUETOOTH® wireless technology preparation for compatible mobile phones

Exterior

• Full LED headlights
• Automatic headlights
• High-beam assistant
• LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• Power-adjustable, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors
• Body-colored exterior side mirror housings
• Rear fog lights
• Integrated twin-trapezoidal exhaust outlets
• Automatic headlights
• Anthracite Black gloss front fascia air inlets
• Anthracite Black gloss rear fascia air outlets
• Ice Silver sideblade (two-piece design
• Engine compartment with LED lighting
• LED turn signals integrated into the exterior side mirror housings
• Adaptive rear spoiler (extends at 75 mph)