When the Audi R8 landed on the scene, it was a HUGE deal. A lot of people didn't know what to expect when the four rings threw its hat into the ring, but one thing was certain: it proved the company could build something that would entice.
While the company's portfolio at the time was full of rather clinical German offerings, the R8 gave the company a shot in the arm.
Now Audi has a helluva job trying to follow that up. These are mighty big shoes to fill. And while the first-gen car shared some things in relation to its cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo, a lot more is shared between the second-gen car and the Lamborghini Huracan. Of course this is a good thing.
With reviewers critiquing the Huracan's ability to understeer, it seems Audi has an opening to improve upon the Huracan's performance. While I won't give it entirely away, I suggest you read this review if you're in the market for the raging bull.
What is interesting to note is that Audi got the V10 Plus into journalist's hands first. Instead of of introducing variants in a traditional hierarchy, the company is starting at the top and working its way down. Peculiar.
From the initial sounds of it, it seems Autocar is favoring the second-gen product over the first gen in a big way. If you can get over its rather edgy looks, it sounds like this may be the one to have over a Porsche 911 Turbo and Mercedes-AMG GT.
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Should I buy one?:
You might well. The R8 previously occupied a quiet little niche of its own – above most 911s, below most exotic supercars, even though it had the pace of the faster cars. Still does, actually. It doesn’t let up.
These days I’d put the Mercedes-AMG into the area the R8 finds itself too, while McLaren will drop the 540C and 570S in there as well soon enough. The R8 has to be good, then, and it is. It feels more visceral and alive than the Porsche 911 Turbo, and although it’s less raucous and caricatured than a Mercedes-AMG GT, it’s the more accomplished handling car. It does all the things the old R8 did superbly well, and tweaks the competence up by about 10-20% in every key area. Audi still knows how to make a great sports car.
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