Although it is a familiar model now, the Audi R8 created a huge stir when it arrived. The model broke new ground for Audi, which was, in the late 70s, a fairly obscure maker of dull but good cars that lacked the prestige of higher end German marques. Audi established an identity for itself via technical innovation via 5 cylinder engines, turbocharging, and all-wheel drive, all three of which converged for the first time in the iconic quattro coupe, which went on to become a rally legend. A decade later, Audi had a three model sedan lineup to match those from Mercedes-Benz and BMW and the R8 represented an effort to not just equal but surpass because neither of the other two companies offered a mid-engined sports car.
The hotly-anticipated R8 knocked on the door of both the Porsche 911 and also mid-engined exotics from Italy. To do so, it bristled with exciting technical details including aluminum spaceframe chassis and a high-revving naturally-aspirated dry-sump V8 making 100 hp per liter. This was backed by a 6-speed manual gated transmission, an optional two-pedal single clutch transmission or an S-tronic 7-speed dual-clutch from 2012 onward. Equipped with standard all-wheel drive, the R8 delivered 90% of its torque to the rear axle by default, and maxed front torque at 35%.
In the context of today’s cars, the R8 has aged in an exceptional way. This is likely a reflection of the “progress” of the last 15 years, which has come in the form of the almost complete disappearance of natural aspiration. By that measure, the 8250 RPM V8 is from another era, offering an experience that may have seemed routine among exciting sports cars when it was new, but feels positively effervescent now.
This particular car was optioned with enhanced leather package (in brown nougat), Audi Exclusive black optic package, and convenience package. The car came to California when it was about three years old and has been well-maintained, receiving new Michelin tires in August 2022, together with a service that included new brake fluid and an oil change. The car received an oil service in September of 2023, and most recently, the car received a service in November of 2024 that included an oil service, cabin and engine air filters, power steering fluid flush, new brake fluid, and a coolant change. It comes with service records as well as books set.
