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2008 Audi R8 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Audi's quattro redefined rally racing, and Audi's R8 racecar turned Le Mans into a company party. Audi's first supercar, appropriately badged the R8, brings a new generation of refinement to the mid-engine sports car. It melds racecar precision with luxury sports-car refinement at a price point well below Mercedes, Porsche, and Ferrari.
With the R8 size does matter. Weighing in at 3,500 pounds, it's 500 lbs. heavier than the venerable Acura NSX, and its 104.3-inch wheelbase exceeds that of a Ford Escape SUV by one inch. But look what's engineered between those wheels.
The R8 has more leg-, shoulder-, and headroom than a Mercedes SL or Porsche 911 Carrera. Audi enjoys showing off two golf bags stowed behind the two seats in the plush R8 cockpit. Noted for great interiors, Audi indulges lucky inhabitants with a multi-function flat-bottom race-inspired steering wheel, heated 10-way power seats that include 4-way lumbar adjustment, and "monoposto" design that orients the controls and instruments toward the driver.
Placed midway in that long wheelbase and behind its occupants is an all-aluminum, 4.2-liter, direct-injection V8 that spins out 420 horsepower at about 400 rpm below its 8,250-rpm redline. And oh what a trip to that redline. Above 3,000 rpm an exhaust flap opens, and you know this Audi and its R8 racetrack cousin are blood relatives. Once that siren's song is unleashed, say goodbye to the EPA estimates of 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
Power flows through either a short-throw six-speed Graziano manual transmission or a $9,000 optional R-Tronic hydraulic clutch system using paddles for manual shifting. The all-wheel drive system is rear-drive biased, never sending more than 35% of torque to the front wheels, which keeps understeer to a minimum. This mid-engine layout with all-wheel drive had some road testers plastered to the windows in hard cornering.
Straight-line heroics befit a supercar, with some testers beating Audi's conservative figure of 4.6 seconds for the 0-62-mph jump by turning in a 4-second-flat 0-60 blast with the R-Tronic transmission. Audi posits a 185 mph top end.
Safety standards match these blazing performance figures. Standard equipment for driver and passenger includes full-size dual-threshold airbags and seat-mounted chest side and knee airbags. The car also features a trio of crash-activated safety features: fuel-supply cut-off, battery cable interrupt (to minimize chances of a short-circuit), and safety unlock for the doors.
When the road begins to twist and turn, the R8 crouches low and flashes through the turns without the least hint of fade on its super brakes. Comparisons to the Acura NSX conclude that the Audi R8 represents a very civilized and sophisticated advance for the mid-engined supercar.
Published Aug 8, 2022 by CarGurus Editorial Team
User reviews for 2008 Audi R8
Write a reviewUser rating:
by Orcun K
Dec 30, 2009
Good Handling, Transmission, Engine and Speed. The
aerodynamic in this car helps for easy speeding. 0-60miles / 0-
100km is about 4.2 seconds.
It is really fun to drive. When you buy this car it matches up
with your dreams.Dec 30, 2009
by Jason L
Nov 08, 2009
performance- genuine supercar, allweel drive system is phenomenal, beautiful v8, no need for the v10
build- its an audi... 10/10 duh
appearance- stunning, in dark blue and naked carbon fibre
cost- a bargain compared to its sister the lambo gallardo
fun- lotsNov 08, 2009
by Jason F
Feb 01, 2009
performance- fast and handling is great
build quality- looks realy strong and sturdy
appearance- looks beautiful and should be a art display
cost of ownership- a lot of money for the car, take a lot of care and pride for it, the insurance is really excpensive for this car.
fun factor- drives fast for those people who want a thrill ride.Feb 01, 2009
User rating:
by Orcun K
Dec 30, 2009
Good Handling, Transmission, Engine and Speed. The
aerodynamic in this car helps for easy speeding. 0-60miles / 0-
100km is about 4.2 seconds.
It is really fun to drive. When you buy this car it matches up
with your dreams.Dec 30, 2009
by Jason L
Nov 08, 2009
performance- genuine supercar, allweel drive system is phenomenal, beautiful v8, no need for the v10
build- its an audi... 10/10 duh
appearance- stunning, in dark blue and naked carbon fibre
cost- a bargain compared to its sister the lambo gallardo
fun- lotsNov 08, 2009
by Jason F
Feb 01, 2009
performance- fast and handling is great
build quality- looks realy strong and sturdy
appearance- looks beautiful and should be a art display
cost of ownership- a lot of money for the car, take a lot of care and pride for it, the insurance is really excpensive for this car.
fun factor- drives fast for those people who want a thrill ride.Feb 01, 2009
by Brandon H
Aug 07, 2008
Preformance= 0 to 60 in 2.8 seconds
Top Speed= 200 mph
Braking= 60 to 0 in just 3.8 seconds
Handling= very good in turns/1.4 g's without sliding
Built Quality= An American car built for speed at the track
Interior= leather seats wood grain on the dash
Exterior= the car has 22's in the rear 20's in the front
Cost of Car= $40,000/ gas mileage 21 mpg
Fun Factor= This car is just fun to driveAug 07, 2008
by Alec C
Jun 10, 2008
This is a powerful super car with a sleek luxurious feel to it. It is by far the car with the best performance and looks. I recommend this car to any wealthy car lover.Jun 10, 2008
by Haroon T
Jun 08, 2008
Shape- sexy car, i just luv the LED lights!
Cabin- comfy lyk any audi... even good for long journeys...
Performance- it's really fast... lean-mean revv machine... but its not as noisy as any ferrari or lambo and that's what i like about it!
Overall impression- Audi's created a masterpiece! It's got the looks, it's got the goods, it's got the zoom. Even good for long journey's... better and cheaper than any lambo or ferrari in da biz!
Jun 08, 2008
by Adam I
Jun 02, 2008
A nearly flawless example of a sports car that will put all of its competitors to shame.Jun 02, 2008
by Zufri S
May 26, 2008
Being an all time 4WD car, it handles like a baby.May 26, 2008
by Daniel P
May 10, 2008
this car is sleek fast and reliable . the interior is great the most comfotable seats and the acceleration handeling and top speed on that car is amazing i give it A 100/10May 10, 2008
by William P
May 04, 2008
Manual version brilliant, automatic not so good.May 04, 2008
by Callum P
Mar 23, 2008
a huge car with a huge amount of power. this car might be built for speed and the thrill
of the ride but it is so comfy. overall a very good car Mar 23, 2008
by Joel S
Mar 20, 2008
Speechless it has amazing handling and the looks are stunning absolutely the best car a man could ever want!Mar 20, 2008
by Jori P
Feb 09, 2008
This sleek innovative machinery is that of stellar proportions. The 2008 Audi R8 is fast, unbelievably smooth, and ensures high class and safety standard throughout. It can be fitted to your desire of either a six speed manual od R tronic automated manual transmission. With 420 hp ans a top speed of 187mph, it's sure to satisfy any speed demons dreams.Feb 09, 2008
by Chris Y
Feb 03, 2008
5 stars!
Performance: Amazing
Build Quality: Solid
Appearance: Gorgeous
Overall impression: Love itFeb 03, 2008
by Cameron R
Jan 15, 2008
Just Sweet!! Fast, looks great, handles great! It was a German pre-production model I was in.Jan 15, 2008
by Abdulaziz G
Dec 30, 2007
The cars overall performance and handling cannot be beaten.Best car driven so far,hope the up-grade will do this wonderful machine justice.Dec 30, 2007
by Roland O
Dec 25, 2007
Was allowed to try the racing version. Extremely light and powerful. Scary on the street. Great car and a must try.Dec 25, 2007
by Graham A
Dec 22, 2007
Beautiful car, great on the track. Excellent handling and an impressive 0-
60 in 4.6 seconds. The exterior is dazzling with the white paint job and
the windtunnels on the sides are futuristic. Overall, it's my favourite car
that's been designed.Dec 22, 2007
What users have asked
474 views
AUDI R8 WONT START
AUDI R8 WONT START AFTER REMAIN SEAL REPLACEMENT . ONCE PUT GEARBOX AND TAIL BACK TOGETHER CAR STARTED TWICE AND THEN SMOKE CAME FROM ENGINE AND NOW WONT CRANK OR EVEN START BUT ALL DASHLIGHTS COME UP HELLLPPP
177 views
horsepower
how many horsepower and when are we going to see th S version?
68 views
Top Comparisons
Have you driven a 2008 Audi R8?Compare this car
2008 Audi R8 Pricing
Original MSRP
$109,000 to $109,000Price range
N/AAverage price on CG
N/AYoY price change
N/ATrims & specs
Air Conditioning
Active charcoal air filtration · Automatic climate control front air conditioning
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Front side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · CD changer: 6 · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Bang & Olufsen · AM/FM radio · Remote control: audio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 12 · 465 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 15.0 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 14.0 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: aluminum · Door trim: leather · Floor Mats: front · Foot pedal trim: aluminum · Headliner trim: Alcantara · Parking brake trim: leather · Shift knob trim: aluminum · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · Parking sensors: front and rear · Power outlet(s): two 12V · Power steering: speed-proportional · Steering wheel mounted controls: paddle shifter · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: 4-way power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.46 · Locking differential: front
Engine
Alternator: 190 amps
Exterior Features
Exhaust: quad exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: black · License plate bracket: front · Paint: two-tone · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: electronically controlled
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: coolant temperature warning
Lights
Headlights: self-leveling · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: integrated turn signals
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Safety
Parking sensors: rear
Seatbelts
Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather · Upholstery accents: faux suede
Steering
Steering ratio: 17.3
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: ride control · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Front shock type: monotube · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: double wishbone · Rear shock type: monotube · Suspension control: magnetic
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone: cellular phone · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Tires
Type: performance
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel locks: front and rear · Wheel spokes: multi-spoke
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Power windows: front · Tinted: windshield