2018 Audi R8
2018 Audi R8 pricing
in Ashburn, VAWhich R8 does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
8.1 / 10Fully redesigned last year, this mid-engine super sports car shares its engine and underlying structure with the Lamborghini Huracan. Though it looks decidedly less dramatic by comparison, its performance is anything but.
While the seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission is happy to engage launch control and fling the R8 ahead at exhilarating speeds, it's just as happy loping around town at low speeds. The interior contains a large digital display gauge cluster, while the adaptive dampers on the all-wheel-drive models ensure a calm, daily-drivable ride. The Spyder's folding soft top takes 19 seconds to open or shut, and it can do either at vehicle speeds up to 31 mph.
Clearly the genius of the R8, past the born-for-Hollywood design of the original, is how it pairs incredible performance with real-world drivability.
2018 Audi R8 configurations
The 2018 Audi R8 is available as a coupe or convertible (the Spyder). Aside from the folding roof, the coupe and convertible are largely the same in terms of standard equipment. The sole exception is the rear-wheel-drive RWS, which is only available as a coupe. A performance-oriented Plus trim is available for both variants that offers more horsepower and a lower weight but sacrifices some comfort for the sake of speed.
The R8 lineup starts with the Coupe RWS, which is the new rear-wheel-drive version. It uses the same 5.2-liter V10 (532 horsepower, 398 pound-feet of torque) and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission as the all-wheel-drive, non-Plus R8. Standard feature highlights include 19-inch wheels, black exhaust tips, LED head- and taillights, a fixed sport suspension, keyless entry and ignition, 14-way power and heated leather seats, parking sensors and a rearview camera. Information and entertainment features include a digital instrument cluster, navigation, satellite radio, and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
Beyond 20-inch wheels and decorative inlays, options for the RWS include a Premium Package that adds 18-way power-adjustable seats with pneumatic side and leg bolsters, a microfiber suede headliner, a 13-speaker and 550-watt sound system, additional leather upholstery, automatic high-beams, and illuminated doorsills.
The all-wheel-drive R8 V10 comes with the same features as the RWS equipped with the Premium package. It also includes adaptive suspension dampers, a front and rear spoiler, and adjustable drive settings. The Spyder adds a folding soft top and a glass wind blocker.
Options for the R8 are pretty much limited to different wheels and additional interior trim and upholstery choices, though carbon-ceramic brakes, laser-enhanced LED headlights and a variable ratio steering system are also available.
The R8 Plus ups the V10 engine's output to 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque and gains the carbon-ceramic brakes and laser headlights as standard equipment. It also sports a more stiffly tuned suspension that lacks the adjustable dampers. In the name of saving weight, it has a slightly smaller gas tank, a five-speaker sound system and racing-style seats that lack backrest-angle adjustment.
Trim tested
Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Audi R8 V10 Plus Coupe (5.2L V10 | 7-speed dual-clutch automatic | AWD).
NOTE: Since this test was conducted in 2017, the current Audi R8 has received some revisions, including standard smartphone integration and the addition of a rear-wheel-drive model. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Audi R8.
Driving
9.0Acceleration
9.0Braking
9.0Steering
9.0Handling
9.0Drivability
10.0Comfort
8.0Seat comfort
6.5Ride comfort
9.0Noise & vibration
8.0Climate control
8.0Interior
8.0Ease of use
9.0Getting in/getting out
6.0Driving position
6.5Roominess
8.0Visibility
8.0Utility
6.0Small-item storage
6.0Cargo space
7.0Technology
8.0Audio & navigation
8.0Smartphone integration
7.0Voice control
7.0Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 Audi R8.
2018 Audi R8 video
[MUSIC PLAYING] MARK TAKAHASHI: Hey, everybody, here's an easy one. What's got two thumbs, loves a mid engine rear wheel drive sports car? This guy. Right behind here is the all new 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS. RW stands for rear wheel. That's right, it's rear wheel drive. What does that mean? Well, the regular R8 is really insanely capable when it comes to handling. This is rear wheel drive, so that means it's going to get really squirrely. By really squirrely, I mean really fun. So think of it almost like the Valentino Balboni edition that Lamborghini put out. Where it's really meant to get tail happy and drifty. I can't wait to drive it, I hope I do. But it's not going to be that easy, and I'll get to that later. So this version, it's going to be available as either coupe or convertible. And it's going to have the 540 horsepower V10 that's in the regular R8. Now there's no word if it's actually going to get the V10 plus, which has 610 horsepower. I mean, that'd be excessive, right? Like the other R8s, this has a seven speed dual clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters. And I got to drive it last year sometime. And it was an insane blast. Man, is this car good. On top of that, since there's no front wheel drive mechanics going on underneath, it's also 110 pounds lighter. And that's 110 pounds lighter in the nose. So that means the balance is being shifted further back for even more tail happy fun. Now visually, the differences, they're pretty slight. The slide blade that's kind of been an R8 trademark since the beginning, it's body colored on the bottom, gloss black on top. And that kind of echoes their LMS race car. Very cool. Also, that red stripe there, it's an option. I kind of like it though. So there's going to be 999 versions available worldwide and that's it. About a third of them, they're going to come to the US. Prices? We'll see. It should be hitting Europe sometime this fall. US, it'll follow a couple of months later. So the beginning of 2018. So for more information on this R8 as well as any of the R8s and its competition, head on over to edmunds.com. If you want to see more videos like this, hit subscribe and check out all of our other videos. [MUSIC PLAYING]
2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS First Look: Frankfurt Auto Show
Edmunds 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS debut from the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Senior Writer Mark Takahashi checks out the 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS, Audi's new rear-wheel-drive version of the sports car, which will be available as a coupe or convertible. Like the regular R8, it has the seven-speed, dual-clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters and the 540-horsepower V10. But with rear-wheel drive instead of AWD, it has the potential to get really squirrelly and really fun. Watch the video for more on Audi's new rear-wheel-drive R8.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite R8 safety features:
- Rearview Camera
- Shows you what's behind the vehicle to make reversing safer and easier.
- Front and Rear Parking Sensors
- Gives you an acoustic alert as the vehicle approaches objects while you park.
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- Notifies you if the pressure in a given tire drops below the recommended amount.
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See your car's valueAudi's 2018 R8 exotic sports car is one of the most distinctive-looking cars on the road. Considering the car's heritage, though, it shouldn't come as a surprise. The Audi R8 is related to the Lamborghini Huracan and shares a common body structure and a high-revving 5.2-liter V10. Both come only with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and are available in either rear- or all-wheel-drive configuration.
The R8 comes in two body styles, a couple and a convertible, and three trim levels. Whether you get the base V10 edition in rear- or all-wheel drive, its engine is rated at 532 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, while the power behind the all-wheel-drive V10 Plus is boosted to 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque. The mightier engine vaults the R8 to 60 mph in just 3.2 second.
The 2018 Audi R8 is a beacon of modern design, from the available laser-assisted LED headlights to the interior fitted with Audi's Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster. This 12.3-inch display screen in front of the driver shows a virtual analog speedometer and tachometer, with infotainment functions displayed between those gauges. This eliminates the need for a display in the middle of the dashboard and gives the R8's cockpit a streamlined, focused atmosphere, without the visual distraction of that commonplace LCD screen.
Standard feature highlights for the rear-wheel-drive R8 include 19-inch wheels, LED headlights, keyless ignition and entry, leather upholstery, Audi's MMI infotainment interface, a digital gauge cluster, and support for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The all-wheel-drive R8 offers adaptive suspension dampers, extended leather and greater seat adjustability. Notable options for this model include extended leather upholstery, carbon-ceramic brakes, laser-enhanced LED headlights and variable ratio steering. Besides its extra power, the Plus coupe has a more stiffly tuned suspension that lacks the adjustable dampers. In the name of saving weight, it also has a slightly smaller gas tank, a five-speaker sound system and racing-style seats that lack backrest-angle adjustment.
What is surprisingly missing for such a high-end model, however, are increasingly common advanced safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, and collision mitigation with automatic braking. But we're guessing that with one full-throttle blast of the V10 engine, you're not going to be too worried about that. Use the additional information on Edmunds to help you find the perfect 2018 Audi R8.
2018 Audi R8 Overview
The 2018 Audi R8 is offered in the following submodels: R8 Coupe, R8 Convertible. Available styles include V10 plus quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), V10 quattro Spyder 2dr Convertible AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), V10 plus quattro Spyder 2dr Convertible AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), V10 RWS 2dr Coupe (5.2L 10cyl 7AM), and V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM).
What do people think of the 2018 Audi R8?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Audi R8 and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 R8.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Audi R8 and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 R8 featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Edmunds Scorecard
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Audi R8?
2018 Audi R8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM)
The 2018 Audi R8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $191,040. The average price paid for a new 2018 Audi R8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM) is trending $1 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$191,039.
The average savings for the 2018 Audi R8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM) is0% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2018 Audi R8 V10 quattro 2dr Coupe AWD (5.2L 10cyl 7AM) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS 2dr Coupe (5.2L 10cyl 7AM)
Available Inventory:We are showing 2 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS 2dr Coupe (5.2L 10cyl 7AM) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2018 Audi R8s are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2018 Audi R8 for sale near. There are currently 8 new 2018 R8s listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $154,975 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Audi R8. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $1 on a used or CPO 2018 R8 available from a dealership near you.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Audi R8?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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