The Audi R8 is the German luxury brand’s flagship sports car. It delivers supercar performance, the latest technology, and exotic styling, all in a car you can comfortably drive every day. It competes with the Porsche 911, the Mercedes-Benz AMG GT, and the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
The mid-engine R8 doesn’t have a traditional trim structure but has a few distinct variants in its model range, including the all-new GT model. Let’s take a closer look at the different versions of the Audi R8 and find the right luxury sports car for you.
Note: Audi has announced that 2023 will be the final year of production for this venerable 2-seat exotic.
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe RWD: $158,600
The star of the show is the R8’s engine. In an era where so many powertrains have forced induction, electrification, or sometimes both, the R8 continues with a naturally aspirated V10 engine mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. This screaming powerplant produces 562 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
Other standard performance features include massive 8-piston front brakes and 4-piston rears. These are complemented by staggered-width 20-inch wheels with summer performance tires, a sport suspension system, and a Sport drive mode.
Additional standard features include an electric rear spoiler, a rear diffuser, LED headlights and taillights, Nappa leather sport seats, heated seats, a sport steering wheel, automatic climate control, and the Audi Virtual Cockpit digital gauge cluster with navigation. You’ll also get the Audi smartphone interface, a universal garage door opener, front and rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams.
Several option packages and individual options improve the luxury, performance, and aesthetics of the R8. The Premium Package ($5,900) adds an Alcantara headliner, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, an extended leather interior, and illuminated door sill inlays. A Carbon Fiber Interior Package ($3,400) and Carbon Fiber Exterior Package ($5,600) do what their names imply by adding carbon fiber trim inside or outside.
A Dynamic Package ($12,900) makes performance improvements with ceramic-composite disc brakes, 20-inch wheels with a titanium finish, and power-adjustable racing seats in fine Nappa leather.
More options include a Sport Exhaust Package ($3,600), diamond-stitch full-leather ($5,000), LED headlights with Audi laser light ($3,500), red brake calipers ($700), and more.
When you factor in the $1,495 destination charge, the starting price of the R8 comes to $160,095. If you get a 60-month loan at 3% interest with no down payment or trade-in, the R8 will have a monthly payment starting at about $2,877. See 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe RWD models for sale near you
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe RWD includes:
562-hp V10 engine — No turbochargers or hybrid systems here. Just a raw, naturally aspirated V10 engine with an intoxicating exhaust note.
Nappa leather sport seats — These premium seats remind you that you’re in a high-end luxury sports car.
Audi Virtual Cockpit — Instead of a big screen in the center stack, a high-tech, customizable digital gauge cluster handles the infotainment functions for the R8.
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder RWD: $171,000
In the R8 model range, the “Spyder” moniker means it’s a convertible. It has a power-folding roof that can raise or lower itself in only 20 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph. Besides that fundamental difference, the list of standard and available features is essentially the same as the coupe variant.
Assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with zero down, the Spyder RWD variant of the R8 starts at about $3,100. See 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder RWD models for sale near you
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe quattro: $209,700
If you’re familiar with the Audi brand, you know “quattro” indicates all-wheel drive (AWD). However, that isn’t the only difference between the R8 V10 Performance Coupe quattro and the RWD model. A 5.2-liter V10 engine still powers it, but it’s tuned to 602 hp and 413 lb-ft of torque.
In addition to AWD and the upgraded engine, the quattro model adds many standard features that are optional on the base model. It has ceramic-composite disc brakes, a performance-tuned suspension, a sport exhaust system with black tips, 20-inch wheels with titanium finish, a Performance drive mode, exterior and interior carbon fiber trim, LED headlights with Audi Laser Light, and racing-shell seats in fine Nappa leather.
The quattro model has other option packages and individual options to help you further customize your supercar. The R8 Performance Design Package ($5,700) adds an Alcantara steering wheel and shifter with Mercato Blue stitching, blue brake calipers, a full leather interior package with Mercato Blue stitching, and leather/Alcantara racing shell seats.
A Sport Seat Package with diamond stitching ($5,000) adds 18-way power seats with pneumatic side and leg bolsters, an Alcantara diamond-stitch headliner, and a full-leather package with diamond-stitched sport seats.
Individual options include dynamic steering ($1,400), a Bang & Olufsen 13-speaker sound system ($1,900), and a full-leather package ($3,000).
The R8 V10 Performance Coupe quattro starts at about $3,795 per month if you get one on a 60-month loan with 3% interest and zero down. See 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe quattro models for sale
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Coupe quattro includes:
602-hp V10 engine — The V10 in the AWD model makes more power and torque than the base RWD model.
Upgraded suspension, brakes, and exhaust — Ceramic disc brakes, a performance-tuned suspension, and a sport exhaust system add up to a more engaging driving experience.
Carbon fiber trim — Carbon fiber reduces the weight and improves the aesthetics of the R8.
2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder quattro: $222,100
Keeping in line with the Audi glossary, the Spyder quattro model of the R8 is a convertible with AWD. The convertible top is the only significant difference between the Spyder quattro and Coupe quattro.
The 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder Quattro begins at about $4,018 a month, assuming a 60-month loan at 3% interest with zero down. See 2023 Audi R8 V10 Performance Spyder quattro models for sale near you
2023 Audi R8 GT: $249,900
The GT model is the new apex predator of the Audi R8 model range. It’s limited to 150 units, 50 in Tango Red, 50 in Daytona Gray, and 50 in Mythos Black.
The R8 GT comes exclusively as an RWD coupe, but it uses the 602-hp tuning of the V10 engine. Additional performance upgrades include a fixed suspension with a carbon-front sway bar, a sport exhaust system, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires, dynamic steering, and ceramic-composite disc brakes.
The R8 GT has a unique Torque Rear Drive Mode. This lets the driver choose from seven power curves stored in the traction control system with different levels of support. Level 1 has maximum support with minimal wheel spin, and Level 7 uses increased engine torque and a high level of wheel spin.
A unique appearance package includes what Audi calls a carbon aero kit, which features a front splitter, side sills, rear diffuser, and rear wing (all in carbon fiber), LED headlights with Audi laser light, a GT-specific interior design with red stitching, and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.
Other than the paint color, there are no options for the GT model.
The R8 GT costs about $4,517 a month if you get a 60-month loan at 3% interest with zero down. See 2023 Audi R8 GT models for sale near you
2023 Audi R8 GT includes:
Unique carbon aero kit — This aggressive appearance package consists of a front splitter, side skirts, side blades, and rear gooseneck spoiler, all in carbon fiber.
Torque Rear Mode — This feature is unique to the GT model and lets the driver choose the most desirable level of traction control.
Exclusive interior — Red seatbelts, red stitching, and an Alcantara headliner are just part of what makes this interior unique.
