Insurance Group: 49
MPG: 19.9
CO2: 332
0-62 Mph: 4.6 secs
BHP: 424 BHP
Range: 394 miles
PROS: Apart from being the smaller brother of the more powerful V10 of the same model, the 4.2 FSI quattro is an excellent car which delivers sporty handling and superb performance.
CONS: It's pricey -- but then again, nobosy buys a supercar to save money -- and if you go mad with the options list, things can get really scary.
The Audi's 4.2-litre V8 engine develops 424bhp and propels the car from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 187mph. The chassis is a masterpiece and the R8 is unbelievably fun to drive, with crisp well-weighted steering and a responsive throttle.
Surprisingly, the R8 is also very comfortable and, in supercar terms, quite useable. You could conceivably drive the R8 every day and not need to visit the chiropractor, which is no mean feat for supercar.
The R8 is stylish and sporty, with the large vents on the front typically aggressive for cars in this class, and the narrow headlights and flared bonnet add to the appearance that it is travelling quickly, even if it is standing in traffic. The large alloy wheels complete the external look, and the shiny alloy is also to be found in the cabin where the leather seats are well complemented by the high quality alloy dials.
Because it is such a prestigious car, all the usual security features are in place to make stealing it as difficult as possible, but it is worth noting that the spare wheel has been sacrificed to save weight. Many sports cars can be quite spartan, but the R8 has luxuries like climate control and Bluetooth as standard for those who don't want to leave work too far behind.
It is fair to say that the R8 is not a very practical car, but if you are reading this review then that should already be obvious. When compared with other supercars in the class then it is slightly better, and the luxuries do make it a little more comfortable. The two seats mean there won't be room for children, and the boot space is minimal.
Safety features include passenger and side airbags, and driving aids such as ESP and traction control.
With a list price of £87,935 and a long waiting list of people happy to pay for the R8, you may have to join the queue of people waiting to buy one. An average fuel performance of 19.9mpg means that you won't be enjoying the visits to the forecourt either. However, the R8 is likely to hold its value very well, with many people still waiting to buy one from a dealer.
When the R8 is compared with other cars in its class such as the Porsche GT3 RS, then the price seems reasonable, but it is very difficult to compare as the desirability of each car will vary depending on the individual. For many the Nissan GT-R, which is markedly cheaper is the more discerning choice as a driver's car.
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