Audi R8 coupe

Drive

The 4.2-litre V8 engine has 420bhp and the 5.2-litre V10 has 525bhp, but Audi's R8 is a cinch to drive despite such high performance on offer. Thank the security of four-wheel drive, light, accurate steering, decent visibility - for a mid-engined car - and fine suspension control for its ease of use. It's a doddle in traffic, though find an open road, or racetrack, and the R8 reveals sensational pace and poise. The manual gearbox moves delightfully though its exposed metal gate, though the paddle-shifted automatic transmission is a bit clumsy - even if it's a boon in busy traffic.

Comfort

For a mid-engined supercar the R8 is quiet and comfortable on the motorway - perhaps overly so. Both engines are muted at lower revs, only revealing their voices when really pushed. Cars with steel springs feel very sporty, yet the standard, computer controlled Magnetic Ride suspension is supple, allowing the R8 to ride over bumps and lumps that would have other supercars skipping and bucking around. The seats are supportive and easily adjusted, though getting in such a low car can prove tricky. 

Reliability

Quality is up to Audi's usual standard; safety too is a priority with every R8 loaded with airbags and electronic driver aids including stability and traction control. Four-wheel drive means good traction even in the wet and the R8's brakes deliver mighty stopping power. 

Practicality

Audi's R8 doesn’t make to many concessions to practicality - this is a car for driving first and foremost. There is a luggage compartment under the large clamshell bonnet at the front, but it's small and awkwardly shaped - meaning packing light and in soft bags if you’re off for the weekend. 

Value for money

It's not what we would describe as cheap, yet Audi's R8 offers supercar performance at a price that's surprisingly affordable - particularly when you consider the price of cars that this coupe compares to. You need to be careful when specifying your car though, as unusual colour combinations can ruin resale value. Limited Edition models are loaded with kit including larger 19-inch alloy wheels, DVD sat-nav, Bluetooth and a brilliant Bang & Olufsen sound system.

Running costs

No car with this level of performance is going to be cheap to run. It should be less expensive than most though, with servicing rates much lower than they are for cars like Lamborghini or Ferrari. Both V8 and V10 engines guzzles fuel, with neither likely to get near 20mpg if used hard. Road tax in both is at the top level, while insurance won’t be cheap either - though that's true of all the R8's rivals too.