2017 Audi R8

Being in the second generation in its line of production the exotic looking 2017 Audi R8 Coupe may look identical to its original model but the newer version has undergone a drastic makeover and has shed few pounds while adding some of the contemporary technologies along with a sheer improvement in terms of performance in its repertoire. The car was featured in the Iron Man franchise which only adds credibility to its cool quotient and obviously carries a high price tag i.e. $162,900 which can be justified given its performance and head-turning looks. It packs 5.2-liter engine under its hood generating a healthy a 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque while its elder sibling V10 Plus levels up to 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Maintaining the curb appeal of the Quattro R8 the new model's all-wheel-drive is based on is sister car Lamborghini Huracan. The old school manual transmission has been replaced by with a seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic which draws great power and takes the performance even farther. It's cutting-edge design and technology ups the ante and is sure to draw much attention from its buyers.

The 2017 Audi R8 is offered in two flavors: V10 and V10 Plus. Standard equipment which tags along the V10 includes 19-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, automatic high beams, LED engine-compartment lighting, adaptive magnetic-ride suspension dampers, adjustable drive settings (Drive Select), front and rear parking sensors, auto-dimming power-folding heated side mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a manual tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, 18-way power seats (with adjustable side and leg bolsters), automatic climate control, a synthetic-suede headliner etc.

While on the other hand the R8 V10 Quattro plus packs a powerful engine giving it a boost of 70-hp and the standard equipment are carbon-ceramic brakes, a sport suspension with conventional dampers, a carbon-fiber exterior trim package, an additional "Performance" mode for the Drive Select system, a smaller fuel tank, sport exhaust, a sport steering wheel, partial power sport seats with fixed seatbacks and a relatively basic five-speaker audio system. Additionally if you wish to include some luxury packages for extra power then you can get lucky as the V10 Plus can be equipped with 18-way power seats, extended leather upholstery and a Bang & Olufsen stereo. Also optional are the 20-inch wheels and variable-ratio steering.

Trim	R8 V10 Quattro	R8 V10 Quattro Plus
MSRP	$162,900	$189,900
Key Features	Singleframe grille includes 3D honeycomb design with Anthracite Gray matte finish Full LED headlights LED taillights with dynamic turn signals > Rear fog lights Power-adjustable, power-folding, auto-dimming, heated exterior side mirrors LED turn signals integrated into the exterior side mirror housings Body-colored exterior MMI navigation plus with voice control system4 MMI touch with handwriting-recognition technology Audi connect with six-month trial subscription5 Audi virtual cockpit Bang & Olufsen Sound System with 13 speakers and 550 watts Audi advanced key keyless start, stop and entry Audi drive select	Anthracite Black matte front lip spoiler and rear diffuser Anthracite Black gloss front fascia air inlets and rear fascia air outlets Engine compartment with LED lighting HD Radioâ„¢ Technology SiriusXM Satellite Radio with 90-day trial subscription INRIX XD Traffic SDXC card slots Audi music interface with two USB ports BLUETOOTH wireless technology preparation for compatible mobile phones Embedded safety belt microphones (for voice control and BLUETOOTH hands-free voice clarity) Garage door opener (HomeLink) Audi advanced key keyless start, stop and entry Audi drive select Cruise control with coast resume and accelerate features Parking system plus with rear view camera (front and rear acoustic sensors)

"In reviews, we've found the R8 sublimely balanced in terms of handling. It is one of those rare vehicles with enough straight-line traction and cornering grip to match its high-performance engines. It's also a relatively practical sports car, mercifully free of those questionable design elements that make some other supercars impossibly taxing in real-world use. - Edmunds"

Engine and Transmission

Powered by the 5.2-liter engine the 2017 Audi R8 generates a whopping 540 hp and 398 pound-feet of torque while its big bro the V10 Plus levels up to 610 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. Both the trim levels come with all-wheel drive and a seven-speed automated manual transmission "S tronic" which is standard across the lineup. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system boosts up the engine which can send up to 100 percent of torque to the front axle as and when required. The brand claims that the V10 Plus could reach up to 205 mph as its maximum capacity.

 

Models	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
MSRP	$162,900	$188,600	$131,200	$125,950
Engine	5.2L FSI V10 DOHC	3.8L Twin Turbo V8	4.0L Biturbo V8	5.0L DOHC 32V V8 Supercharged
Transmission	7-Speed Automatic	7-speed automatic	7-speed automatic	8-speed automatic
Horsepower	540 hp	562 hp	503 hp	575 hp
Torque	398 lb-ft	443 lb-ft	479 lb-ft	516 lb-ft

Despite the incredible power that is generated by the R8 the ride quality isn't affected and the engine produces an easy 540 hp and 398 lb-ft and it drives through a seven-speed "S tronic" auto which can shift quite precisely. Others in this category like the Jaguar F Type SVR and the Mclaren 570s go beyond the average performance in the race. As the Jaguar SVR can produce 575 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque making it the king in its class but it has certainly compromised with the ride quality in order to maximize its engine potential.

Acceleration

The R8 with its powerful engine not only produces galloping 610 horsepower but is also quick on roads. With the addition of all-wheel traction, and launch control yields a zero-to-60-mph leap in mere 2.7 seconds for the R8 Plus while the base variant of R8 Quattro is just a few seconds behind taking 3.5 seconds to reach 0-60 mph and is way better than its previous avatar thanks to its lesser curb weights. Other coupes in this segment produce similar output and are equally competitive like the R8.

Models	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
0-60 MPH	3.5 sec	3.2 sec	3.5 sec	3.5 sec
Quarter mile	10.6 sec	10.9 sec	11.5 sec	11.2 sec
Engine	5.2L	3.8L	4.0L	5.0L
Emission (Tons/yr of CO2 Emissions @ 15K mi/year)	10.4	10.9	9.8	7.5

Ride and Handling

Being exceptionally capable the Audi R8 is fitted with more aggressive damper setup which soaks up bumps quite remarkably and provides a comfortable ride that you could tolerate without fatigue on longer hauls. However, when the R8 is in a full attack mode then it gives a setback to the driver as it doesn't handle corners as confidently or with as much sheer grip as its peers, and as expected from a supercar it may sometimes make you feel unsettled which is least expected from a car of this class. But the steering setup which is similar in both the trims is quite direct and relays information from the road to the driver's hands with only a mild filter.

 

Braking

R8 has been making rave review due to its super braking capabilities as its brake pedals are monumentally effective and seem fade resistant on the road. There are only a few cars out there which are so rewarding and effortless to accelerate and make it stop.

Model	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
Brake Front (in.)	14.4	15.5	15.4	15.0
Brake Rear (in.)	14.0	15.0	14.2	14.8
Curb Weight (lbs.)	3649	3186	3627	3759
60-0 MPH (ft.)	103	102	100	97

It takes just 103 feet for Audi R8 to come to halt from 60-0 mph. The sturdy brakes of Mclaren 570s and Mercedes Benz AMG GT also offer a good stopping distance of 102 ft from 60-0 mph. The R8 fares the worst in this parameter but we can't say it has bad braking as the difference between the Jaguar(leader in the table) and R8 is not much.

 

It is futile to expect the Audi R8 to be the best economical choice in terms of fuel economy. Irrespective of which model you choose, the R8 carries the same EPA estimates for fuel economy as it does for its other siblings.

Model	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
MPG (city)	14	16	16	15
MPG (highway)	22	23	22	23
MPG (combined)	17	19	18	18

The mileage of this coupe is so low that it is estimated that the R8 buyer would be paying around $1300 as part of the sale price. Others cars in this variant are no better as all of them sip high amount of fuel.

 

Seating and Comfort

With only 2 passenger accommodability, the Audi R8 has a modest amount of space in its cabin. Tall drivers may feel a bit of pinch because of its abbreviated legroom measurement. There is no much difference between its convertible model and the coupe. You can easily reach the controls including slick features like the ignition button which is located right on the steering wheel. The seats are very well padded to give maximum comfort to passengers and the modern cabins do a very good job isolating ambient noises but the sharp sound of the wind and the drone of tire noise can still be heard when you're traveling at highway speed.

Model	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
Passenger capacity	2	2	2	2
Front (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (In.)	38.5/55.1/40.9	N/A	39.5/-/-	37.0/56.5/43.0

Infotainment System

One of the most exotic features of the Audi R8 is its exciting and uncommon infotainment arrangement which is quite cool in its class. Its customizable digital gauge display ups the ante as it provides a driver-centric feeling inside the cabin. Not only that its sound system comes embedded with LED ambient lighting apart from having very many standard features as optional. Below is the list of infotainment feature that is tagged along with the new Audi R8: -

 

• Apple CarPlay
• Android Auto
• 4G LTE
• Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluetooth
• AUX input
• Navigation
• USB
• Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Cargo volume

The R8 is a bit disappointing when it comes to storage capabilities as its tiny 8.0 ft of cubic space detracts from the R8's everyday usability. You have to just live with its cursory trunk capacity as it can only take in two soft overnight bags into the snout, and maybe to some extent a working case which is only good enough for the daily commute. Inside the cabin, you can have a shallow glove box, two small door pockets, a decent-sized bin ahead of the shift lever and two cup holders behind the occupants' elbow cover among others.

Model	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
Cargo Volume (ft.3)	8.0	N/A	10.1	14.4

The Jaguar F Type SVR beats its rivals boasting of the highest storage capacity in its class which is around 14.4 cubic feet of space which is okay for a coupe. Others have a dismal storage capacity  

 

"The R8 doesn’t have the emotional, lust-at-first-sight curves of other supercars, but looks unlike any other exotic on the road. While the 2017 Audi R8 now uses a new frame and shares almost 50 percent of its parts with the R8 LMS race car, changes to the exterior design are relatively subtle. - Kelley Blue Book"

Dimension and Weight

The attractive looking coupe has a distinct front end joined by a malevolent looking DRLs along with the aggressive headlights which point sharply to the edges of the nose. The rear is well crafted giving it a tough look with a  broad stance. Having lost some weight, the R8 has not only complemented its performance but has affected its overall look too. Regardless of which version you choose the R8 would still be a flashy, conspicuous four-wheeled gem. As per the customer's wish, the Audi offers R8 in the matte exterior paint along with upgraded 20-inch Y-Spoked rollers with performance summer tires for $1500.

Model	Audi R8	Mclaren 570s	Mercedes Benz AMG GT S	Jaguar F Type SVR
Curb weight (lbs.)	3649	3186	3627	3759
Length(in)	174.3	178.4	179.0	176.0
Width(in)	76.4	76.0	76.3	75.7
Height(in)	48.8	46.3	50.7	51.6
Ground clearance (in)	6.3	3.6	3.7	4.8
Wheelbase (in)	104.4	105.1	103.5	103.2
Track width (in) F/R	64.5/63.0	65.9/63.7	66.1/65.0	62.4/63.4

Just like most of the low-volume sports cars the 2017 variant of the R8 has neither been evaluated or tested by the NHSTA or IIHS. However, as Audi is known for high standard safety and reliability features it has come up with new Aluminium and carbon-fiber hybrid platform which is stronger than ever. As usual, there are four airbags, multi-stage

 

stability control and carbon-ceramic brakes but lack some of the important features like autonomous emergency braking or blind-spot monitoring. Additionally, the R8 is also equipped with carbon ceramic brakes which are standard on R8 V10 Plus and optional on R8 V10 models.

 

Safety Features

• Driver single-stage airbag and front passenger dual-stage airbag
• Driver and front passenger knee airbags
• Power central locking system with safety unlock feature if airbags deploy
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-pressure Distribution (EBD) and brake assist
• Anti-theft alarm system with immobilizer
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with secondary collision brake assist and traction control (ASR)
• Sideguard head curtain airbags
• Driver and front passenger three-point safety belts with pre-tensioning and adaptive force limiters

*NHTSA and IIHS have not rated this car yet.

Mclaren 570s vs Audi R8

Mclaren 570s just like its other siblings comes with an incredibly powerful twin-turbo V8 engine which amasses flawless shifts from the seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission which is sure to make you enjoy your ride to the fullest. It is exciting to drive the vehicle around town and its excellent handling and steering feel in a lightweight package giving greater maneuverability providing sharp cuts in edges. It can surely be called that the Mclaren 570s is the easiest model to live with to date. It also has few drawbacks just like any other car in its variant as you wouldn't find a quiet cabin as expected of a coupe in its class. It's touchscreen interface too is quite small and plain looking. It is not as responsive or intuitive as it should have been.

Mercedes Benz AMG GT S vs Audi R8

Since the Mercedes Benz AMG GT S carries a powerful V8 engine, it delivers exceptional acceleration and sounds amazing while doing so. It advanced and highly communicative steering not only implants plenty of driver confidence but also assures a smooth and comfortable ride without being too aggressive. The Mercedes Coupe has garnered much praise for its beautifully crafted and well thought out interior. For an exotic sports car like Mercedes Benz AMG GT, it has a relatively usable cargo space but you cannot expect a golf bag to fit in easily. However, the front passenger may find the tech interface tad bit confusing. The Benz AMG also has compromised outward visibility which can be a hindrance while driving around narrow spaces and parking lanes. The seats are very thinly padded and lacks sufficient adjustments which makes it unsuitable for longer hauls.

Jaguar F Type SVR vs Audi R8

The V8 models of the Jaguar F type SVR deliver a potent performance punch along with a symphony of the engine and exhaust noise which gives it a feel of the perfect luxury car. Its predictable handling and super powerful brakes instill confidence in the driver to drive around the city. The coupe has been very well designed both inside and out giving it a complete gorgeous makeover. In order to raise its standard on performance there's a noticeable compromise on comfort level done to the car. It's not so generous either when it comes to having a good amount of storage space. It also lacks the user friendly and intuitive technology interface that some of its competitors boast of. Only the higher trims would give you desired performance level as the base V6 models deliver far less impressive performance.

The 2017 version of the Audi R8 coupe has lightning fast reflexes along with providing you sharp, crisp steering, and brakes for days. It has one of the best adjustable steering that Audi has ever come up with. Undoubtedly the R8 has been masterfully crafted and has an air of sophistication and elegance which only a few cars can in the market boast of. It is observed that the 2017 Audi R8 and  Lamborghini Huracan are somewhat similar as both of them uses the V-10 engine and dual clutch transmission. Despite having a similar platform, the R8 certainly plays as it understated role with more aplomb and elegance which is sure to make some heads turn.