Gone in a flash: It’s now or by no means for the fabulous chassis and superb V-10 engine of the 2023 Audi R8

But oh, what good occasions the R8 has delivered. What an ideal slant on the entire supercar method. A tech-rich coolness combined with a superb chassis and an excellent V10 engine. There’s nothing in regards to the R8 we might change, apart from giving it an extended lifespan. To all these potential consumers harboring desires of a brand new R8, it’s now or by no means.

2023 Audi R8 pricing

The 2023 Audi R8 begins at $158,600. This is for the rear-wheel-drive coupe. The convertible variations are referred to as Spyders and include a power-operated gentle prime. The value of entry for an open-air R8 is $171,000.

• 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe RWD: $158,600
• 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe Quattro: $209,700
• 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder RWD: $171,000
• 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder Quattro: $222,100
• 2023 Audi R8 GT RWD: $249,900

These are the producer’s instructed retail costs and don’t embrace the $1,495 factory-to-dealer supply price (vacation spot cost). Here’s a side-by-side comparability of the 2 common fashions.

For some supercar context, the perennially great Porsche 911 begins at $106.1K. For a efficiency discount, the Chevrolet Corvette is priced from simply $64.5K. The not-long-for-this-world Jaguar F-Type begins at $73.4K. Going for one thing extra esoteric, the McLaren GT begins at $205K, and the Lamborghini Huracán (which shares a platform with the Audi R8) is not less than $215K.

Check out: Dare to check: The Corvette vs. the Lamborghini Huracán

Before shopping for a brand new R8 supercar, test the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you ought to be paying. The Porsche 911 has the strongest resale values, however does that basically matter at this degree of expenditure? Anyway, we’ve checked out many used R8s on the market every time the whim has struck they usually’re nonetheless an excessive amount of for folks on regular salaries.

What’s new for 2023

Going out on a excessive appears to be Audi’s philosophy with the 2023 R8. This is meant to be the ultimate 12 months of manufacturing for the automobile as everyone knows and probably like it.

So the excessive is the 602-horsepower/rear-drive R8 GT coupe. It’s nearly all hand-built in the identical facility as a few of Audi’s racing vehicles. Only 333 examples are being produced, with 150 of these coming to the U.S. If there’s a brand new era of R8, or another type of Audi supercar, it’s in all probability going to be all-electric.

Driving the 2023 Audi R8

We’ve pushed an R8 from Los Angeles to the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, simply north of San Francisco. Did a succession of sizzling laps and drove all of it the best way again once more. It carried out admirably over each mile. Given the prospect, we’d do the identical factor proper now.

Its demeanor on public highways is unruffled and about as discreet as a low-slung, mid-engined 2-seater supercar will be. On clearer, extra fascinating roads, the R8 begins to point out a few of its great expertise for acceleration and corner-conquering. That’s when the engine sounds additionally begin to tingle the backbone.

Mid-engined vehicles have typically been difficult previously. If the again finish snaps into oversteer, it hasn’t at all times been straightforward to catch and management it. The R8 shouldn’t be like that in any respect, particularly when all-wheel drive is current.

On a observe, the R8’s benign dealing with conjures up plenty of confidence. It will ease by bends and blast down straights, making the motive force really feel extra proficient than ever earlier than.

The Audi R8’s platform is shared with the Lamborghini Huracán, together with the V10. This engine is of course aspirated and thrives on excessive revs, making it particularly conscious of throttle inputs. Even the least highly effective model is able to rocketing the 2023 R8 from standstill to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaching a prime velocity of 204 mph.

The new-for-2023 R8 GT takes the facility output of the common all-wheel-drive R8 (a mighty 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque) and sends it simply to the rear wheels, including a Torque Rear drive mode developed just for this variant for higher management when powersliding round a observe. Audi tweaked the 7-speed dual-clutch automated transmission for even quicker shifts.

The R8 GT additionally comes with ceramic brakes and Michelin
MGDDY,
+1.30%
high-performance tires as commonplace. Audi claims a 0-60 mph time of simply 3.3 seconds. Gone in a flash, it appears.

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Audi inside design for 2

We received’t gripe in regards to the small-ish cabin or the restricted outward imaginative and prescient. It’s the identical type of factor with plenty of mid-engined supercars and comes with this specific type of territory.

Two adults can nonetheless match. The seats, upholstered in Nappa leather-based, are snug, whereas holding their occupants in place by quick corners. And the driving place ought to be superb for almost all of individuals.

Audi gives the choice of sport seats with a carbon fiber shell, however they’ve a hard and fast again. So they enchantment extra to a devoted observe warrior. The flat-bottomed steering wheel permits drivers to slip their knees beneath extra simply than if it was utterly spherical, whereas the purple ignition button by no means fails to spark a shiver of pleasure each time it’s pressed.

Buyers may also specify an prolonged leather-based bundle, diamond-patterned stitching, and a headliner of Alcantara (simulated suede).

Our favourite options and tech

Styling
Even now, the R8 nonetheless appears like a supercar from a sci-fi film. Especially so with the LED engine bay lighting within the coupe model seen by the rear window.

V-10 engine
It’s two cylinders higher than a V8. Seriously, it is a superb engine, muscular but clean, solely sounding raucous when revved laborious. It delivers its energy with a simple development.

Virtual Cockpit
Audi was one of many first to make use of a configurable digital driver info show rather than the standard instrument cluster. Although they’re way more widespread today, this one nonetheless appears cool and contributes to the R8’s high-tech really feel.

Infotainment system
Yes, the R8 is a driver’s machine, however it’s additionally stuffed with options that make on a regular basis drives extra bearable, reminiscent of commonplace Wi-Fi and Amazon Alexa compatibility.

Bang & Olufsen audio
Although the R8 has an engine sound that’s its personal type of music, all of us want to listen to different stuff sometimes. Which is the place this sensible 13-speaker/550-watt choice is available in.

R8 GT
This is made alongside the vehicles that Audi takes to occasions just like the Le Mans 24-hour race. It has a sport suspension as commonplace, plus cool particulars like a light-weight entrance anti-roll bar and particular sport seats. The limited-edition R8 GT pays homage to the unique R8 from 2012.

Read: The fashionable 2023 Audi e-tron is all impressed Audi-ness

Engine and transmission

One day, maybe earlier than we expect, we’ll look again on highly effective naturally aspirated engines like these (no turbos or superchargers) with longing and nostalgia. Never thoughts that the perfect it could squeeze out of a gallon of premium gasoline is a mean of round 17 miles.

This 5.2-liter V10 develops 562 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque (up from final 12 months’s 398 lb-ft) when deployed in a rear-wheel-drive (RWD) configuration. With all-wheel drive (AWD, often known as quattro down Audi’s corridors) it’s tuned to provide 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque.

With the GT RWD, Audi determined to let all that most output go solely to the rear wheels. Because that’s the enjoyable factor to do.

In all circumstances, the transmission is a dual-clutch 7-speed automated setup with paddle shifters mounted behind the steering wheel.

5.2-liter V10 (RWD)
562 horsepower @ 4,475 rpm
406 lb-ft of torque @ 6,300 rpm
EPA metropolis/freeway gas financial system: 14/23 mpg (coupe & convertible)

5.2-liter V10 (AWD & R8 GT RWD)
602 horsepower @ 8,100 rpm
413 lb-ft of torque @ 6,700 rpm
EPA metropolis/freeway gas financial system: 13/18 mpg (coupe & convertible)

More Audi R8 gas financial system info is offered on the EPA’s web site.

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4-year/50,000-mile guarantee

Audi covers its new autos and powertrains with a guaranty that lasts for 4 years or 50,000 miles, whichever occurs first. This is typical for the posh sector.

KBB’s automobile assessment methodology.

This story initially ran on KBB.com.