2023 Audi R8

The 2023 Audi R8 will be segregated into two trims just as it was in the previous year and the base Performance V10 RWD comes loaded with premium features such as Audi virtual cockpit which makes the controls easily accessible for the driver at all times and the sporty yet comfortable seats come wrapped in a Nappa leatherette with heating function. The car even though a performance-oriented vehicle has a very intuitive navigation system that is easy to use. If your budget allows, pick the Performance V10 Quattro which is all-in performance and features racing shell seats wrapped in fine perforated Nappa leather with the addition of ceramic brakes which is necessary to stop a 600+ horsepower monster. Audi is expected to go even more bonkers with the limited edition variant and would be using a lot of additional carbon fiber components to further cut the weight and

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We find the Audi R8 Performance V10 RWD to hold more value and be more daily usable as it holds power beyond what is needed. If the premium materials on the Performance V10 Quattro look tempting, users can opt for a Premium package or a Dynamic package to bring in leather, carbon fiber, or faux suede to the base trim. However, if you’re a serious supercar enthusiast and a collector, the secretive high-performance variant will be worth the wait as it intends to end production for this amazing breed of Audi.

Release Date

Audi has decided to go all incognito mode in terms of the release dates but a few reports suggest the new R8 to launch in the fall of 2022 with the limited edition following a little later.

Like any other performance vehicle, the 2023 Audi R8 packs in enough power to make any passenger scream in a falsetto voice if needed. The R8 comes standard with a 5.2L V10 mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch S Tronic automatic transmission producing a total of 562 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque on the RWD variant. Pick the more focused and quicker Quattro model and you’ll have 602 horses at your disposal along with 413 lb-ft of torque. Performance and hardware are definitely the strength of this sports coupe and this engine is what people would miss the most once the last unit of the R8 rolls out of the assembly line in 2023. Another thing worth the mention is this car’s throttle response and there barely is any lag when it comes to delivering all the power.

Bothe BMW and Porsche carry a twin-turbo engine which manages to push great figures even with a smaller engine layout than the R8. The Porsche puts out an impressive time with the M8 matching its 0-60 timing. However, the BMW M8 even with all that power isn’t all that drive-focused compared to the other cars and is limited to 155 mph. The quickest and the most powerful car here however is the Chevrolet with really impressive acceleration and a whopping 670 horses under its hood. Audi manages to put out the best top speed and is also one of the most exciting cars to drive with its naturally aspirated exhaust note filling the cabin.

2023 Audi R8 Ride and Handling

Even though the R8 holds a lot of power, it isn’t very hard to explore its full potential as the vehicle is very easy to handle regardless of the speed you are in. The double wishbone suspension and the sticky performance tires allow the driver to push the car without having to worry about being able to keep the vehicle steady. It is without a doubt a fun car to drive and the car moves exactly how the driver intends to while handling the steering wheel.

2023 Audi R8 Braking Performance

The brakes on the Audi R8 are as impressive as the car’s performance. Audi has made sure to equip the R8 with brakes capable enough to bring the car to a complete standing stop from 60 mph at 114 ft. if those numbers don’t sound exciting, opt for the dynamic package available for the RWD variant which adds a set of carbon ceramic brakes to do the job in just 96 ft.

Regardless of carrying the smaller brakes among the competition, the Audi R8 has an impressive stopping distance which can further be reduced by opting for the dynamic package. The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 is in a league of its own with the strongest brakes here. Even though the BMW carries a large set of brakes, the car is also heavier and we expect it to fall in the ballpark of Porsches braking performance, which is still impressive but isn’t as good as the Chevrolet or the Audi.

This is where the Audi R8 takes a toll and even by supercar standards, the fuel economy offered by the R8 is on the lower with average gas mileage of 17 miles to the gallon in mixed driving conditions. The R8 houses a gas tank capable of carrying 19.3 gallons of fuel, which offers a maximum range of 443 miles.

The Audi R8 pits well against its major contenders but fuel economy is something that none of the key players in the segment does well at. The maximum combined range of the Audi falls at 329 miles while both the Chevrolet and BMW offer higher numbers. The highest numbers here belong to the Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which isn’t all that surprising considering it is naturally aspirated.

This definitely isn’t the most advanced-looking interior but the sleek yet simple design blends very well with the tech it holds and the entire layout is very friendly as the controls are all within reach and easy to locate. Unlike many other performance vehicles, getting in and out of the Audi R8 does not require you to be a contortionist but it would definitely need some getting used to for tall drivers as the seats are positioned really low. The seats might not be the most comfortable as the padding it provides is on the thinner side to keep the weight of the car low but the ergonomics and the way the seat holds the driver feels like a tailor-made suit. The R8 does not carry a central infotainment display and all the necessary information and controls are viewed on the digital instrument cluster that is controlled using the steering-mounted buttons.

In terms of seating, the R8, and the Corvette Z06 come with just 2 seats while the others offer a 4-seat layout. However, the rear seats of the Porsche are barely usable and end up being a space for luggage. The main seating space in all the cars is ample but when it comes to the cargo area, the M8 seems to provide a decent space while the Corvette takes it up a notch by offering a frunk as well as a tiny trunk that together becomes 12.6 cu-ft of storage space.

Some standout interior features on the 2023 Audi R8 include

• Nappa leather upholstery.
• Heated seats.
• 18-way power adjustability.
• Dual-zone automatic climate control.
• Optional faux suede headliner.

How intuitive is the 2023 Audi R8 infotainment system?

There is no central infotainment touchscreen like what is found in other cars, but Audi provides a 12.3-inch virtual cockpit that displays every single detail that the driver would require. The drivers will also be able to control various functions using the steering mounted buttons and if the standard 5-speaker audio system does not suffice, pick the premium package worth just over $6,000 to add a 13-speaker premium audio system by Bang & Olufsen. People opting for the expensive Quattro trim can get this feature added for a much lesser price. Audi has further increased user convenience by adding the MMI navigation plus and Audi Connect Care.

Some of the standout infotainment features on the 2023 Audi R8 are

• 12.3-inch Audi virtual cockpit.
• Apply CarPlay and Android Auto.
• Wireless charging pad.
• Navigation system.
• Satellite radio.
• 13-speaker premium audio system by Bang & Olufsen speakers.

The Exterior styling will look identical to the 2022 model with the same 9 colors available for the exterior paint. However, there aren’t any complaints about the way the R8 looks, and the massive air intake on the front is beautifully integrated with a complex yet appealing styling. The sides of the car feature huge air vents that directly feed air to the radiators and move to the rear to find an automatic spoiler that deploys when the car hits 75 mph or there is a dedicated button to deploy it whenever needed. Move to the upper Quattro trim to find yourself looking at an aggressive fixed rear spoiler that contributes to keeping the downforce as high as possible. The car wears a set of 20-inch wheels that are finished in titanium for the upper trim and when it comes to the headlights, the Quattro gets laser headlights instead of the standard LED unit on the RWD variant.

It is clear from the data that the Audi R8 sits really low to the ground with just 4-inches of ground clearance and the roof of the car doesn’t stand all that high up from the ground. However, the lower center of gravity is something that plays a key role in making this car handle like how it does.

Some of the standout exterior features include

• 20-inch titanium wheels.
• Dual exhaust outlets.
• Carbon-fiber rear spoiler.
• LED or Audi Laser headlights.
• Massive air intakes in the front and sides.
• Power folding heated mirrors.

It is common with high-end performance cars to not hold crash test rations from NHTSA and IIHS as it is expensive for the brands to run these tests. However, considering how well other daily usable Audis perform in such tests, it is safe to say that the Audi R8 is a well-structured car. The R8 doesn’t hold an extensive list of safety tech but does get the basics in place.

Some of the standout safety features available with the 2023 Audi R8 are

• Front and rear parking sensors.
• Cruise control.
• Reverse camera.
• Automatic high beam.
• Stability and traction control.
• Anti-lock braking system.

2023 Audi R8 vs 2023 BMW M8

Both Audi and BMW are brands that carry extensive expertise in the luxury segment and that are well portrayed in the cabin quality and materials used in both these coupes. The R8 and the M8 have two totally different characters and if aggressive driving with track-car-like handling is what you seek, the Audi R8 is the ideal choice here but the BMW M8 has the better comfort levels and hence, making it the better daily drivable coupe if that is what you intend.

2023 Audi R8 vs 2023 Porsche 911 Turbo

Both these cars are German engineering marvels and they are pretty much even in terms of power and handling. You can expect to return back happy after a track day in either of these cars and it all comes down to the styling as the R8 is all about sharp lines and edges while the 911 carries its iconic curves very well like how it’s been doing it for ages. The only valid advantage the Porsche carries is the additional set of seats in the rear but they sure cannot accommodate human beings.

2023 Audi R8 vs 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

The Audi R8 has its own fan base and a cult following but another car with a massive community is the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and it’s easy to understand why as both these cars offer great power and driver character that is very distinctive. There isn’t any limit to the fun quotient that these cars can offer but the fact that the Corvette costs much lower than the R8 makes it the more affordable option.

With this being the end of an era, it is highly recommended to pick the last few batches of Audi R8s that would be rolling out. This isn’t the only reason for the R8 to be on the priority list but the performance this car offers is unlike anything else in the segment. The R8 is a performance car that can easily be driven on a regular basis without having to worry about your back being strained a lot as the ergonomics and the cabin layout feel very friendly. It would also be worth the wait for the limited edition variant to be unveiled but it’s most likely to be sold out even before the public gets to see it.