2017 Audi R8 Pros vs Cons
If car buyers are in the market for a mid-engine, high-end sports car, then they should consider the following highlights and lowlights for the Audi R8.
Ten Reasons You May Like the 2017 Audi R8 – The Pros
1. Power under the hood
The German manufacturer has equipped the R8 with a 5.2-liter V10 engine that generates 540 hp in the base model and upwards of 610 hp in the V10 Plus for an eye-popping 8,500 revolutions per minute.
2. Quick acceleration
This sports car will burn up the pavement, going from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds flat, which is fast even for race car standards. A few tenths of a second are shaved off when riding in the V10 Plus trim. The R8 revs up to a top speed of 205 mph with the help of 413 pound-feet of torque.
3. All-wheel drive
The gratuitous, aforementioned torque is distributed evenly over the front and rear axles in the permanent Quattro system. This is an innovative control system employed by Audi in many of its high-quality automotives. All-wheel drive provides for smooth acceleration while decreasing the chances of wheel slippage.
4. Seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transmission
Previous iterations of the Audi R8 featured six-speed manual transmissions that were fun to drive and changed gears without effort. While consumers may miss the traditional manual control, they are sure to warm up to the equally amusing “S tronic” with its precision and heralded greatness.
5. Futuristic design
Bold, sleek, compact. The epitome of good things coming in small packages. Sharp lines transition into smooth curves that have reviewers marveling at its “Hollywood good looks.” From nose to tail, the Audi R8 boasts its sporty elegance with a fixed spoiler and trapezoidal, twin exhaust molded into the fender. Air vents and side blades both turn heads and improve the aerodynamics of the R8.
6. Lightweight body
Audi Space Frame (ASF) is a lightweight material that makes up the body and is part of the efficiency in technology. This construction complements the performance by allowing the coupe to reach its speed limits without much wind resistance. When the chassis twists, the Audi Space Frame maintains torsional rigidity.
7. Ample interior appointments
The cockpit is situated around the driver’s comfort and with ergonomic control in mind. All the buttons and switches are at the fingertips of whoever is piloting the Audi R8. The boldness of the outside marks much of the interior with the same confidence.
8. Virtual cockpit
Ever innovative, Audi created a digital instrument cluster that situates all of the car’s controls into a single location – in front of the driver. It takes the form of a digital display that consists of a 12.3-inch screen. This digital output is high-resolution and does away with traditional gauges, but it provides a landing point for the infotainment system.
9. Functioning built into steering wheel
A leather-wrapped steering wheel on the Audi R8 integrates buttons to select ignition and driving mode functions. This is a feature akin to what other high-end sports car competitors have included in their automotive lines.
10. Availability of technology
The coupe boasts 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot connectivity and capability. The MMI controller for the infotainment system is positioned on the console and responds to fingertip scrolling. Other technological features that have come to be expected – and are found here – are Bluetooth, USB ports, auxiliary input jack, GPS navigation and satellite radio.
Reasons You May Not Like the 2017 Audi R8 – The Cons
1. Good on power, bad on gas
All that heart-pounding torque and rpm generated by a substantial V10 engine takes an equally generous amount of gasoline. As a result, miles per gallon is a statistic that suffers greatly. The Audi R8 gets 14 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
2. Advanced safety features are absent
The R8 is equipped with sufficient safety apparatus including side, knee and head curtain airbags, antilock brakes, parking sensors on the front and rear, and rearview camera. However, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot surveillance and collision avoidance with automated braking are nowhere to be found.
3. High base price
While affordability is admittedly not the highest priority with this segment of automobile, the nearly $200,000 base price puts this coupe out of reach for the majority of car buyers.
4. Limited cargo space
Owners of the Audi R8 are probably not going on camping trips with this vehicle. However, the cargo space only amounts to a space of eight cubic feet. This includes the front trunk and space behind the seating.
How it Stacks Up to the Competition
The segment of high-end sports cars used to be devoid of competition. Currently, there are a number of manufacturers vying for a spot in this price point. This presents a dilemma for car buyers, namely what makes one model superior to the others.
Porsche, Jaguar and Acura have all turned out competitors for Audi’s R8. Porsche has the 911 Turbo, Jaguar put out the F-type SVR coupe, and Acura constructed the NSX. Here are a few factors to help sort out the noise:
• Horsepower
• Top speed
The Audi R8 packs more punch than competitors when it comes to horsepower. Porsche’s 911 Turbo generates 500 horses with six cylinders under the hood. Acura’s NSX comes in above that with 550 hp. Jaguar’s F-type comes close to the R8’s 610 horses but falls short with a respectable 575 hp.
The reason most consumers buy a premium sports car is for style and speed. We have established that the R8 has a top speed of 205 mph. The 911 Turbo clocks in at 198 mph, while the NSX tops out at 191 mph. The F-type pushes speed limits up to 200 mph. The decreased weight of the chassis and more engine cylinders no doubt give the Audi R8 the edge over these other cars.
Conclusion
In short, if you have a wallet full of money and the desire for a bit of whimsy on the road, then the Audi R8 is the high-quality sports car to buy. For the few features it lacks in safety and cargo space, it more than makes up for in style, power and speed.
