Every car manufacturer known to man has a signature car. A model that everyone knows about, an instantly recognizable model. The Audi R8 is exactly that for the brand. A truly aspirational car. Or a “one day when I grow up” car.
Audi’s signature supercar, the R8, first made an appearance back in 2006 at the Paris Auto Show. Today, 15 years later, we’re standing face to face with one of the most impressive supercar contenders out there.
The latest rendition of the R8 is arguably its best-looking model. Aesthetically sharper and more dynamic angles have been highlighted on the nose and the tail. 20-inch alloys lend further to the idea of the ultimate sports car.
The interior has undergone updates and upgrades as well. The Audi Virtual Cockpit with built-in MMI Navigation comes standard across the range. Another standard is the Bang & Olufsen sound system. The seats are surprisingly comfortable, nothing like those uncomfortable bucket seats usually spotted in supercars of this league.
Packing a raucous V10, 5.2-litre naturally-aspirated motor, the R8 is loud and proud and oozes with confidence. Rightfully so! Delivering 449 kW and 560 N.m of torque, this quattro all-wheel drive does the 0-100 km/h sprint in 3.1 sec and hits a top speed of 331 km/h.
R8 Spyder price tag comes in at a cool R3 592 500.
Photographs by Simon Luckhoff