Audi R8 V8 is dead

[SVT666]

Audi has announced launch details for its 2017 R8, significantly increasing the base price as the entry-level V8 variant drops from the lineup.

Buyers now must pay at least $164,150 (including $1,250 freight) for Audi's redesigned supercar, representing an increase of $47,000 over the discontinued V8 package.

Comparing just MSRPs for the standard V10 edition, the 2017 model costs $9,000 more than the outgoing edition. The V10 'plus' now fetches $191,150, up more than $16,000 from the first generation.

Introduced early last year in Geneva, the revamped R8 is powered by a Lamborghini-derived 5.2-liter FSI V10 with 540 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque. Stepping up to the 'plus' trim brings a more aggressive tune, good for 610 ponies and 413 lb-ft of twist. The variants are claimed to reach 62 mph in just 3.5 seconds and 3.2 seconds, respectively, with top speeds ranging from 200 to 205 mph.

The second-generation R8 brings a modestly evolved exterior styling, centered around a more aggressive front fascia with angular headlights and a wider Singleframe grille.

Dropping the cheaper V8 package puts the R8 into the same price bracket occupied by the McLaren 570S ($184,900), Ferrari California T ($198,973), Porsche 911 Turbo S ($182,700), Aston Martin V12 Vantage S and even the Lamborghini Huracán LP 580-2 (under $200,000, TBD).

[MX793]

Unfortunate, but not surprising.

[SVT666]

I always thought that if I got an R8, I would get the V8.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

At that price point I'd take the Lambo......

[SVT666]

At that price point I'd take the Lambo......

Absolutely.  A Huracan is at the top of my list.

[ifcar]

Once interest in the new generation dies down, maybe they'll add back a lower-priced engine. And given that the design changed so little -- and arguably for the worse -- it shouldn't take long for interest to peak.

[Payman]

If I had the means to afford a brand new 2017 R8, I'd still rather buy an original model, pristine V8 version with the gated shifter.

[SVT666]

Me too.

[Payman]

Once interest in the new generation dies down, maybe they'll add back a lower-priced engine. And given that the design changed so little -- and arguably for the worse -- it shouldn't take long for interest to peak.

Definitely for the worse.

[12,000 RPM]

I cant say Im surprised.... a 911 Carrera would wash it for less $$$

Instead of bringing back the V8 they should make something to bridge the gap between the R8 and TT. If they dont fuck it up (i.e. mid engined, turbo I5, available stickshift) nobody would miss the old R8 V8. Probably be more profitable too. Just run a Golf backwards.

I never liked the R8. There was an Audi dealer with one across the street from one of my old jobs. It was huge and heavy

[Payman]

Huge? Eh, I didn't think so. I sat in a 2010 at a showroom, and the interior felt like it was built around me. I loved it, and I never wanted to drive a car so badly.

[CaminoRacer]

I was never a huge fan of the R8 and the new one has been beaten with the ugly stick. 

[SVT666]

I cant say Im surprised.... a 911 Carrera would wash it for less $$$

Instead of bringing back the V8 they should make something to bridge the gap between the R8 and TT. If they dont fuck it up (i.e. mid engined, turbo I5, available stickshift) nobody would miss the old R8 V8. Probably be more profitable too. Just run a Golf backwards.

I never liked the R8. There was an Audi dealer with one across the street from one of my old jobs. It was huge and heavy

Huge and Heavy?

Porsche 911 Turbo
Length = 177"
Width = 74"
Height = 51"
Weight = 3538 lbs

Audi R8 V10
Length = 174"
Width = 75"
Height = 49"
Weight = 3571 lbs

[SVT666]

Huge? Eh, I didn't think so. I sat in a 2010 at a showroom, and the interior felt like it was built around me. I loved it, and I never wanted to drive a car so badly.

The convertible looks really strange with the roof down.  The coupe is one of my favourite cars ever.

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

I never liked the R8. There was an Audi dealer with one across the street from one of my old jobs.

I was never a huge fan of the R8 and the new one has been beaten with the ugly stick. 

Same here! It never pushed my buttons.....

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

The convertible looks really strange with the roof down.  The coupe is one of my favourite cars ever.

It reminds me of the 350Z Vert with the top down....

[GoCougs]

As chassis, suspension and power/drive train design becomes ever more integrated in order to chance ever escalating performance targets, there comes a point that there is too much sacrifice in accommodating disparate engines (and transmissions).

[12,000 RPM]

Huge and Heavy?

Porsche 911 Turbo
Length = 177"
Width = 74"
Height = 51"
Weight = 3538 lbs

Audi R8 V10
Length = 174"
Width = 75"
Height = 49"
Weight = 3571 lbs

First off what year are these

Second off the R8 V8's rival isn't the 911 Turbo, it's the Carrera... even in 4S trim it's a good 400lbs heavier at least, and it's only 71-73" wide

Third the R8 looks a lot bigger and wider because of that wide blunt shapeless nose.

Im sure the R8 is awesome to drive (still not as good as the same year Gallardo) but its simultaneously dull and polarizing. I never liked it

[MX793]

First off what year are these

Second off the R8 V8's rival isn't the 911 Turbo, it's the Carrera... even in 4S trim it's a good 400lbs heavier at least, and it's only 71-73" wide

Third the R8 looks a lot bigger and wider because of that wide blunt shapeless nose.

Im sure the R8 is awesome to drive (still not as good as the same year Gallardo) but its simultaneously dull and polarizing. I never liked it

The '07-'12 R8 4.2 weighed ~30 lbs more than a 997 C4S of the same years.  Not sure where you're getting hundreds of lbs from.  I agree that the car's styling, which I've always thought was kind of bland, makes the car appear heavier and larger than it really is.

[12,000 RPM]

The '07-'12 R8 4.2 weighed ~30 lbs more than a 997 C4S of the same years.  Not sure where you're getting hundreds of lbs from.  I agree that the car's styling, which I've always thought was kind of bland, makes the car appear heavier and larger than it really is.

2011 C4S = 3131lbs

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/911/2011/st-101356401/features-specs/

2011 R8 4.2 = 3605lbs

http://www.edmunds.com/audi/r8/2011/coupe/features-specs/

R8 had the price and performance of the C4S but the weight and width of the Turbo. I just never liked it. I think an "R4" would work a lot better.

[SJ_GTI]

2011 C4S = 3131lbs

http://www.edmunds.com/porsche/911/2011/st-101356401/features-specs/

2011 R8 4.2 = 3605lbs

http://www.edmunds.com/audi/r8/2011/coupe/features-specs/

R8 had the price and performance of the C4S but the weight and width of the Turbo. I just never liked it. I think an "R4" would work a lot better.

I mean, it would be interesting, but would it be a better performer than the TTRS (or even TTS)? Probably not.

At the end of the day Audi is a luxury car brand, not a sports car brand. They will dip their toe in to performance cars (like all brands) but I don't seem them building a dedicated sports car any time soon. Their main claim to fame is AWD + style. TT(S+RS) covers that pretty well.

[MX793]

Edmund's numbers on the C4S are wrong.  That's curb for a Carrera.

http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-porsche-911-carrera-4s-pdk-instrumented-test

[Raza]

Shame. It seemed like the V8 was a better balanced car than the V10, and the V8 never set itself on fire like Audi/Lamborghini V10s like to do. R8 Spyder remains one of my top choice lottery cars.

As long as they keep offering a stick on the V10, I'm happy.

[Galaxy]

As long as they keep offering a stick on the V10, I'm happy.

Uhmm.....

[Rich]

I don't wanna say anything. He'll get the shovel out

[MrH]

[12,000 RPM]

Edmund's numbers on the C4S are wrong.  That's curb for a Carrera.

http://m.caranddriver.com/reviews/2009-porsche-911-carrera-4s-pdk-instrumented-test

We are deep frying in pedantry here but Im seeing several sources that disagree

https://www.excellence-mag.com/resources/specs/153
http://www.cars.com/porsche/911/2011/specifications/

Unless Porsche is underreporting curb weights which is possible but kind of dangerous

[BimmerM3]

We are deep frying in pedantry here but Im seeing several sources that disagree

https://www.excellence-mag.com/resources/specs/153
http://www.cars.com/porsche/911/2011/specifications/

Unless Porsche is underreporting curb weights which is possible but kind of dangerous

The owner's manual for a 2011 C4S coupe lists 3263-3527 lbs depending on transmission and options. The C2S is 3142-3417.

Page 291-292.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&ved=0ahUKEwieoLPkz7vKAhUE5yYKHSXqApUQFggpMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.porsche.com%2Fall%2Fmedia%2Fpdf%2FOwners_Manual_Carrera_PCNA.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHSWNZNeBt_v9u_N-CX3NCc18Q6Hg&sig2=OoZUcQuVPiFVTmthTcUKQw&bvm=bv.112064104,d.dmo&cad=rja

[Raza]

Uhmm.....

Aw, damn it.  I always look at the Spyder on the website, which is apparently still the 2015 model.  No wonder I haven't seen that the 6MT has been dropped. 

[cawimmer430]

I was waiting for the article to mention the replacement motors for the V8 being a "4-cylinder or V6 TFSI..."