"The 2017 Audi R8 exotic sports car isn't the only fully redesigned Audi this year that looks an awful lot like its predecessor" - Edmunds

For the 2017 model year, the Audi R8 comes in a total of three trims, two of which are coupes and one is a convertible. All three trims come with a 5.2L V10 engine configuration. The coupes are the R8 V10 Quattro, priced at $162,900 and the R8 V10 Quattro plus, priced at $189,900. The latter is equipped with exclusive features that include carbon-ceramic brake pads, sports suspension, carbon-fiber exteriors, and opulent interiors.

The basic trim offers features such as 19-inch wheels, magnetic suspension dampers, manual tilt and telescopic steering, and 18-way power seats, sports exhausts, and a highlight, Bang and Olufsen Sound system with a 13 speaker setup. Keyless start-stop and Audi drive select.

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With a few exclusive features to offer, we would recommend you go in for the Quattro plus, this might come across as expensive as it is priced at $189,900. However, once you drive it and experience its sheer luxury and power you would find out its worth.

"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 of the 2017 Audi R8

Housing a humongous 5.2-liter V10 engine at the rear end, the 2017 Audi R8 generates as much as 540 HP along with 398 lb-ft of torque. Priced at $162,900 the Audi R8 comes with its legendary Quattro drivetrain, it gets a 7-speed automatic transmission standard across both trims. With such a monstrous engine the R8 records a top speed of 200 mph.

Against its competition, we have the 2017 Jaguar F-type SVR priced at $125,950 it comes equipped with a 5.0-liter V8 supercharged engine that generates 575 hp and leads the segment for the same. It also churns out 516 lb-ft of torque and comes with 8-speed automatic transmission. The 2017 McLaren 570s ranks after the Jag with an offering of 562 hp, the Audi and Merc rank subsequently after.

Acceleration of the 2017 Audi R8

When we look into the acceleration aspect, we find that the 540 hp of the 2017 R8 is at par with the class-leading 575 hp of the Jaguar. As both these machines go from 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds. Further, the R8 has the ability to go a quarter-mile in just 10.6 seconds, fast enough for its segment, probably the fastest.

Up against its competition, the 2017 McLaren 570s has the best record for 0-60 mph, it clocks it in just 3.2 seconds. In the quarter-mile dash, the R8 has the best record, it clocks it in 10.6 seconds. This is followed by McLaren, Jaguar, and Merc with a timing of 10.9 seconds, 11.2 seconds, and 11.5 seconds. The premier position of the Audi can be credited to the largest engine in the class, a 5.2L engine.

Ride and Handling of the 2017 Audi R8

The 2017 model comes equipped with a carbon-fiber body, this would mean a light body frame and an advantage in terms of speed. The R8 is further equipped with magnetic suspension dampers, this eats up most of the jolts that the car gets on uneven terrain. The Lightweight of the Audi makes it a predicament in the sense that, at high speeds, the road grip is lost due to its center of gravity, even though the steering translates from every input perfectly onto the road.

Braking of the 2017 Audi R8

Equipped with a set of 14.4-inch rotors for the front wheels and a set of 14-inch rotors for the rear wheels helps the Audi brings its 3649-pound curb weight to a halt. It comes to a standstill from 60 mph in 103 feet. A fine task for its power and acceleration. The brake experience is confident and strong, just as it should be for a vehicle so powerful. Furthermore, the 2017 R8 stands out as those few sports cars that effortlessly accelerate and come to a halt, just the same.

Against its competition, the R8 is surely not the best. We have the 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR, equipped with the largest rotors in class, it brings a massive curb weight of 3759 lbs to a halt in just 97 feet. This feat is indeed great and deserves immense appreciation. The rankings see the 2017 AMG GT and the 2017 McLaren follow suit with a distance record of 100 feet and 102 feet respectively, for the 60-0 mph.

"Predictably, the Audi R8 V-10 drinks gas, but it's more efficient this time around."- The Car Connection

With the largest engine in the class, which is a 5.2L powerhouse, it is obvious that the gas mileage offered by the 2017 R8 would be lower than its competition. However the offering isn't unacceptable, it offers almost as much as its rivals do with a 5.0L engine. The EPA reading for the 2017 R8 is as given below in the chart, it is put up against the competition for comparison.

Ongoing through the above chart, we learn that the best gas mileage offered is from the 2017 570s that hosts a 3.8L engine. It claims the first position due to its combined reading, 23 mpg. The second position is claimed by the Mercedes AMG GT, with a small margin over the 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR. The last place belongs to the R8, but the difference is just a couple of miles to a gallon. The 2017 Audi R8 sure does offer a respectable mileage given its performance.

"The R8 sports a quality cockpit with exemplary materials but lacks storage space." - The Car Connection

Seating and Comfort of the 2017 Audi R8

With a futuristic interior to offer the 2017 Audi R8 has an interior clad in leather and other premium materials. Even the infotainment offering and the information cluster is very well done, it is all arranged to suit the driver, giving a fine experience of driving a speed machine. With regard to the seating, the Audi is a bit cramped, but that is also the case with all the other cars in consideration. Accommodating 2 individuals just like its rivals, the Audi compromises on the legroom.

Several data points of the competitors are not available with regard to the interior cabin space offered, the reasons of which are unknown. With the given information we learn that the interiors of the Mercedes are the most luxurious and comforting. Furthermore, it is the most spacious offering with headroom of 39.5 inches. The McLaren offers a good shoulder room and legroom, but has a poor headroom, as compared to the Audi.

Infotainment System of the 2017 Audi R8

The infotainment offering of the 2017 Audi R8 is extremely unique and intriguing. It delivers a feel of sitting in a cockpit and gives the driver a confident and elevated experience, this is due to the arrangement of the information panels and screens. Furthermore, the interiors get ambient lighting, this is also laid along with the sound system of the Audi R8. Apart from the above mentioned, you also get the following features:

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

Cargo volume of the 2017 Audi R8

The 2017 Audi R8 has a drawback and it is solely in this aspect, it offers a very small cargo room, measuring just 8 cubic feet. One could fit in just about a single large-sized suitcase in this compartment and nothing more would fit along with it. It is a standard phenomenon that Sports cars would offer a small cargo room but Audi has taken it too far with such a small offering. It marks the least in competition.

The 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR offers a cargo room of 14.4 cubic ft to mark the largest in class, it is followed by the Mercedes-Benz which offers 10.1 cubic feet in its AMG GT. The cargo space dimensions of the McLaren 570S are not available. So, of the given information we learn that the R8 has the smallest offering in terms of cargo space.

"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 of the 2017 Audi R8

The 2017 Audi R8 comes with a carbon fiber body, this helps it lose some significant weight. Carrying forward it’s a basic design, an extremely aerodynamic one, the R8 has a wide and sporty stance. Adding to its exterior appeal is its DRLs, they are super sleek and stylish. Finally, you get Y-shaped spokes, 20-inch wheels that go well with the wide body, and fine ground clearance of this speed machine.

Up against its competition, the Mclaren has the largest dimensions, this is in terms of length, width, and height. The 2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR is the heaviest car, with a curb weight of 3759 lbs. On the other hand, the Audi R8 wins praise for its ground clearance, it measures 4.33 inches. The McLaren snatches the first place again for the best in class wheelbase, measuring 105.1 inches. There is no doubt in the fact that the dimensions of the 2017 McLaren helps in giving it a better drive experience.

Exterior features of the 2017 Audi R8

• Dual exhaust outlets
• Auto-dimming, power-folding, adjustable heated exterior mirrors
• Aluminum front lip spoiler
• Electric retractable rear spoiler
• LED headlights with LED DRLs
• 245/30 R20 front and 305/30 R20 rear summer tires
• LED taillights with dynamic turn signals
• Standard moldings
• 20" 5-V-spoke-evo design, bi-color anthracite wheels

"The R8 will probably never be crash tested, but a strong aluminum and carbon fiber spaceframe protects occupants." - The Car Connection

The 2017 Audi R8 gets an Aluminum and Carbon-fibre body, this is a material that is extremely light in weight but at the very same time, this material is extremely strong and sturdy. This apart, the brand Audi has a fine reputation when it comes to safety offering, It comes with an array of features apart from the industry standards. However, the safety authorities, that is the NHTSA and the IIHS have not tested the 2017 Audi R8. This is again a common practice, usually, cars with a heavy price tag arent tested by these agencies.

It must be mentioned that the 2017 R8 fails to offer advanced features like Blind-spot monitoring and driver-assist features. However, the 2017 Audi does flaunt its carbon-ceramic brakes, these are the best in class despite the longest stopping distance. We come to this conclusion as Audi has the heaviest engine to stop, a massive 5.2L powerhead. These breath-taking brakes are offered as standard only in the V10 Plus trim, it can be availed as optional on the basic V10 trim.

Safety Features of the 2017 Audi R8

• 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)
• Side-guard head curtain airbags
• Driver and front passenger three-point safety belts with pre-tensioning and adaptive force limiters

2017 Mclaren 570s vs 2017 Audi R8

The 2017 McLaren 570s comes at a price tag of $188,600. For this price tag it offers a modest 3.8L V8 engine, this power unit churns out a whopping 562 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. This is significantly more than the power output of the $162,900, 5.2L Audi R8. With great power to offer, it also has a better acceleration timing. Astonishing is the fact that McLaren has a better gas mileage despite the higher fuel efficiency. However, in terms of interior and exterior dimensions, it is the Audi that offers a better experience. Even the safety offering and reliability of the Audi are better than the McLaren.

2017 Mercedes Benz AMG GT S vs 2017 Audi R8

The 2017 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT has an engine offering of a 4.0L V8, priced at $131,200. At a power output of 503 hp, the Audi outperforms it by a large margin. However, the torque generation is better than the Merc. Further, the Merc offers similar acceleration timing, better fuel efficiency, better brake performance, and interior room. However, the safety offering of the Audi proves to be better.

2017 Jaguar F-Type SVR vs 2017 Audi R8

Up against the 2017 Jaguar F-TYPE SVR, the Audi faces a real tough time. At a price tag of $125,950, the Jag offers a 575hp generating 5.0L V8 supercharged engine. Further, it churns out 516 lb-ft of torque. The acceleration timing of the Jag is close to that offered by the R8, and the latter proves to be better by a tiny margin. With the better break performance, fuel economy, cargo space, and interior room, we can claim that the Jag is way ahead of the R8. However, the Audi is an extremely reliable and safe vehicle to be in, it also comes with alluring exteriors, if that counts.

With the humongous engine to offer, the 2017 Audi R8 comes at a price tag of $162,900 for its base trim. The high-end trim, the V10 Plus comes at $189,900. They both offer a 5.2L V10, capable of generating 540 HP and 398 lb-ft of torque. With an impressive acceleration time of 3.5 seconds for the 0-60 mph, Audi manages to deliver a decent fuel efficiency. Further, it gets an average interior room with bespoke infotainment arrangements, the finest sound system in the industry, and extremely dashing exteriors. When compared with its strong rivals the Audi falls short on several aspects, however, we would recommend the 2017 R8 for its carbon-fiber body and unprecedented reliability.