Used 2018 Audi R8 Plus for sale 

The new R8 is available in two trims- V10 Quattro and V10 Plus, priced at $164,900 and $194,400 respectively. The base V10 model is featured with Audi magnetic ride and Audi Virtual Cockpit while the V10 Plus model is featured with Audi ceramic brakes, mirrors, spoiler, side blades, diffuser, fixed rear spoiler, and Full LED headlamps. As mentioned earlier the major difference between both the trims is the maximum power output i.e the V10 produces 532 hp while the V10 Plus trim can produce 610 horsepower.

Which trim should you go for?

The basic V10 trim is apt for the first-time supercar buyers who just want to feel the adrenaline rush once in a while and has a little interest in the racing and performance-oriented aspects of the car. But, for the customers who love to floor their car in any possible situation and obsessed with the speed and aesthetics of a supercar, then the carbon-fiber-rich V10 Plus should be the right choice for you but it would cost you more as mentioned earlier.

The cost of the base model would seem to be quite reasonable as you may not get anything subpar below it. And when it comes to the 2018 R8, the screaming V10 engine does its job with great responsiveness with the help of the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Audi R8 surprises you with every day driving all because of the flexible Drive Mode Select system.

You can easily toggle between the Comfort and Auto modes to make the adaptive suspension do the rest work. Moreover, the performance mode turns off the traction control for the time being. The 2018 R8 also gets an RWD option which is the standard option in the coupe variant, whereas the spyder variant gets the Quattro AWD as the standard drivetrain.

As mentioned earlier, both the Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan share the same engine but the Huracan produces 602 horsepower which is almost 80 horses more than its cousin the Audi R8 Basic V10 trim but the power gets equal when the V10 Plus trim comes into play. Apart from the Volkswagen cousins the Nissan GTR and Acura NSX beat the R8's basic V10 variant power output.

How quick the 2018 Audi R8 can accelerate from 0-60 mph?

As mentioned earlier the standard R8 coupe and Spyder models powered by a 5.32-liter V10 engine propel 532 hp, only the R8 V10 Plus models offer 610 horsepower.

The top speed of the coupe and the Spyder model is 199 mph while the V10 Plus model is capable of hitting 205 mph and sprints 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds. The 0-60 time for the base models is slower at 3.5 seconds.

Again the Audi and Lamborghini share the same performance figures in the 0-60 mph acceleration, that is the Huracan and the R8 V10 Plus can reach the 60 mph limit in 3.2 seconds whereas the basic R8 can accelerate from 0-60 in 3.5 seconds which is almost 0.6 seconds less than the Nissan GTR and five seconds less than the Acura NSX. The NSX is compromised by the GTR in just a fraction of a second timing and snatches the first place among the cars on the table.

How well does the 2018 Audi R8 handle?

Both the engines in the 2018 R8 are mated to a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive is also standard across all trim levels which is meant to enhance the gear shifting and make the drive more responsive. The R8 allows you to choose from multiple driving modes- Comfort, Auto, Dynamic, and individual. The R8 V10 Plus model gets a fifth mode named Performance.

The supercar from Audi is adequately powered and the performance is good but not as good as the competitors while tackling the corners,  the turnings are not sturdy, the fixed damper setup works fine but it is available only in the V10 Plus variant. All the extensive carbon fiber use has a good effect on reducing the weight but again these are only for the V10 Plus trim whereas the V10 trim loses these perks when compared against its competitors.

How effective are the brakes in the 2018 Audi R8?

The 2018 Audi R8 offers decent handling, the supercar comes with a magnetic suspension that keeps the car stable in any road condition. The V10 Plus trim comes with a sport-tuned suspension. Just in case you find the models confusing, just be sure that all R8’s offer precise steering and agility. The sturdy brakes offer good stopping of 103 ft from 60-0 mph. The all-wheel-drive configuration has been offered as standard and it maintains the road grip intelligently.

The Nissan GTR has the biggest brakes in both the front and rear wheels, which is also the fastest model to come to rest in 95 ft. The Acura NSX and the Audi  R8 shares the same stopping figure of 103 ft, the Lamborghini is pushed to the last. But the Huracan and R8 V10 shares the same brakes in front and rear wheels and comes with the same standard suspension mechanism.

The current Fuel Economy estimates are not available for the 2018 Audi R8. But, the last year’s EPA reveals that the R8 delivers an EPA- 13 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway. These figures are quite low for a sports car but this what you pay for the best sports car. Fuel economy is not the aspect that anyone checks when it comes to performance-related cars especially supercars, with that in mind, 13 mpg in the city limit is not the worst compared to some other competitors in the segment.

The Acura NSX provides the best fuel economy among the cars in the table but the reason is that the Acura has a hybrid powertrain which helps the car to provide more mpg than the others in the segment. Among the remaining 3, the Nissan GTR provides more fuel economy than the Lamborghini and Audi. Unfortunately, the R8 is not the best when it comes to fuel economy among the compared cars.

Audi is known for offering premium interior with ultimate color combination and upholstery. Audi R8 interior is top-notch with premium packing. The front console is very upmarket and classy. The seats are covered with Nappa leather, making it more comfortable. Audi’s MMI navigation system is a quick way to stay connected and navigate your routes via google earth.

The multi-function steering wheel that includes many street/track functions, makes many things easy for the driver. The R8 V10 Plus gets racing Shell seats. The seats are made up of premium material that’s why they are cozy and comfortable. Taking two passengers into consideration, there is enough space and headroom for the driver and the co-passenger. However, the equipment space is limited in comparison to competitors like Acura NCX and Lamborghini Huracan.

Only the Nissan GTR is capable of accommodating 4 occupants since it comes with second-row seats, surprisingly both the rows are comfortable enough for average-sized adults. The Acura NSX is more spacious compared to the Audi R8, all the aspects including the head, leg, and shoulder room are more than the R8. Bu the exact figures of the Lamborghini Huracan are not available for now. Apart from the interior space, Audi has equipped some exciting features in the R8, which are listed below:

• Audi's Drive Select variable drive modes
• Magnetic shocks
• Power-folding side mirrors
• Auto-dimming
• Nappa Leather upholstery
• Power-adjustable seats

Additional infotainment features of the 2018 Audi R8

Audi has offered a wide range of standard fitments with the new R8. Audi’s virtual cockpit is standard on all models that make it distinguished from the competitors. The front console comes featured with a 12.3-inch screen behind the steering wheel, along with the traditional gauge cluster. It reveals the driver's information and acts as a sole infotainment panel. The infotainment comes integrated with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, voice control, and handwriting recognition. The responsive MMI system is offered with sharp graphics but the absence of a secondary display screen in the dashboard can be easily spotted. Some of the noticeable infotainment features in the 2018 Audi R8 are:

• Audi's Drive Select variable drive modes
• Audi’s Virtual Cockpit
• Audi’s MMI infotainment interface
• Audi Connect
• 13-speaker Bang and Olufsen sound system

How much cargo can the 2018 Audi R8 carry?

The 2018 R8 offers decent cargo space than other competitors in the segment. But, unfortunately, the cargo hold is not much of use. There is only 8 cubic feet of total storage space, in-between front, and rear seats. There is enough room to carry small luggage but don’t expect to fit over-sized luggage. The trunk is easy to access, the middle section of the trunk extends deeper, which can help to store small boxes and a couple of bags to be precise 2 average-sized shopping bags can be placed on the main space.

One of the aspects where the supercars do not perform well is the cargo space, which is not what the supercars are meant to be offering more, but the Audi R8 performs well in this aspect when compared to the rivals in the table. The Nissan GTR again gains the first pace with 8.8 cu-ft of cargo space, which is just fractions of cu-ft more than the R8. The Huracan shares the least cargo space and the Acura NSX scores just above the Huracan.

Audi has managed to give the 2018 R8 a sleek and exotic look. The car has a good appeal and turns out to be a head-turner among the competitors. The profile is certainly distinctive and the passenger compartment has been kept more forward rather than making it a sloped-roof sports car. R8 appears wide as many of the design elements have been assembled outwards in order to give it a bolder outlook.

The main integral part of the Audi R8 is the full LED headlights and tail lamps. The front fascia looks super cool with the headlights and they are placed above the side air intakes and below the front fenders. The air inlets below the headlights are designed to draw air and keep the disc brakes cool. In the rear, the air flows out through the vents that are located beneath the taillamps.

The Lamborghini Huracan weighs less than all the other cars on the table, whereas the Audi R8 is the second least heavy supercar on the lot. The Audi comes with the highest ground clearance and turns out to be the shortest of all. It is the Nissan GTR which is the lengthiest car and also the car with the lengthy wheelbase.

What makes the 2018 Audi R8 stand out of the crowd

The 2018 R8 holds a long rear deck that gives the design an eye-catching appeal. On the other hand, the R8 V10 Plus has a fixed rear spoiler composed of carbon fiber, which is not scratch resistant. The rear looks more like Lamborghini than the Audi, all because of the sleek taillights. The 2018 Audi R8 has got large alloy wheels which is good for a sports car, the competitors are also very close in this aspect. The R8 wheels are made up of aluminum while the Acura NSX and Nissan GTR get Forged Aluminum.

The 2018 Audi R8 has not been tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Therefore, the rating is not available. However, the Audi R8 belongs to that generation of Audi that scores a predictable rating of three out of five from J.D. Power and Associates. This rating is general, which is meant for the majority of cars, while sports cars can score better in overall rating tests. Apart from the safety ratings, the car is equipped with some safety features which is not an acceptable number when compared to the fellow supercars in the segment.

The safety features on both R8 V10 Coupe and the V10 Plus are similar. The standard active safety features in the 2018 R8 include a rearview camera, front and rear parking sensors.  The optional package available for the R8 V10 coupe includes a Ceramic brake package, Black optic package, Carbon exterior/interior package, and Diamond stitch leather package, all the optional packages do not offer any additional safety features, which is one of the aspects where the 2018 R8 gets a black mark. The notable safety features for the 2018 R8 V10 and R8 V10 Plus are listed below:

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags
• SIDEGUARD Curtain 1st Row Airbags
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Driver Knee Airbag
• Back-Up Camera
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Electromechanical parking brake

Lamborghini Huracan vs Audi R8 Coupe

The 2018 Audi R8 may not look as exotic as the Lamborghini Huracan, but it is dynamic and fast in every aspect. Both the cars share the same engine and chassis. They also weigh similar, though Audi is heavier.

The main difference lies with the powertrain, Audi has its own seven-speed S-Tronic gearbox and all-wheel Quattro drive, which dominates the Huracan a bit in performance. Overall the Audi R8 takes down the Huracan in terms of performance in fractions but the Huracan gets some standard safety features and looks more gorgeous than the R8.

Nissan GTR vs Audi R8 Coupe

The Nissan GTR is might be the best choice when compared to the Audi R8, the Japanese gem dominates in power and performance. The GTR is also a little more practical compared to the Audi with its second-row seats and a little more spacious trunk.

The GTR also comes with good safety features and also costs very less compared to the Audi R8, if you are looking for performance and practicality with less price then the GTR is the right option for you.

Acura NSX vs Audi R8 Coupe

Acura NSX is a supercar and it is available in the hybrid version as well. It is powered by a twin-turbo V6 engine and three electric motors. It has also got faster acceleration, notably, it goes o-60 mph in just 3 seconds.

The NSX’s seats are comfortable and the cabin provided a good amount of space. The NSX also leads the basic R8 V10 in terms of power and has an upper hand in the mpg because of its hybrid powertrain. But the NSX lacks in cargo capacity, which might not be an important aspect when it comes to a supercar but it is one of the easily noticeable aspects where the NSX fails.

The 2018 Audi R8 offers breathtaking performance and handling, the engine and driving ability are simply mind-blowing. It is one of those supercars that one can drive on a regular basis. It has got refined and upmarket interior with plenty of user-friendly technology. The R8 and Huracan look quite similar and you won’t like to see them as rivals. The Lamborghini is aggressive, but the Audi will do pretty much the same stuff for less money. Overall the 2018 R8 is a good choice but I would recommend considering the GTR which would save a lot of money and will give you great performance and practicality.