Audi R8 coupe - Interior & comfort

Audi’s typically brilliant interior quality is present in the latest Audi R8, which simply oozes supercar luxury. You sit low in the sports seats and the dashboard wraps around you. There’s carbon-fibre and brushed aluminium inserts everywhere and the gearlever looks like the throttle from an aircraft.

Audi R8 dashboard

The standout feature of the dashboard has to be the Virtual Cockpit system, which was first introduced in the Audi TT. It consists of a large 12.3-inch screen where the instrument cluster would usually be found. This can display things like the speedometer, infotainment and satellite navigation system all in one place

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The system gets unique graphics in the R8, with the rev gauge moved to the middle of the screen. The reliance on this screen also means that most of the R8's controls are centred on the steering wheel – which could take some getting used to. The steering wheel is where you find a circular Drive Select dial for adjusting the car's behaviour and a red starter button. 

Other than that, the dashboard is minimalist and clutter-free; the climate controls among the only buttons on the dash itself, but they’re very robust and feel great to use.

Equipment

The standard four-wheel-drive R8 will still set you back around £129,000 without any options, with the range-topping Performance model coming in at around £15,000 more. In addition to the extra power, the R8 Performance gets a front splitter, side blades and rear diffuser in a matt titanium finish; ceramic brakes, a flat-bottomed steering wheel with performance mode selector, and leather bucket seats. Both versions can be fitted with an optional high-gloss carbon package. The flagship R8 Performance Carbon Black is the most expensive model to buy, starting at over £152,000. It gets several styling tweaks and mechanical upgrades including an array of black exterior trim parts, a carbon engine cover and upgraded ‘Magnetic Ride’ suspension.

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All R8s come with LED headlights, heated, power-adjustable sports seats clad in Nappa leather, a DAB radio, Audi’s Smartphone Interface with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth, sat nav and a rear-view camera.

Options

Options include a huge choice of alloy wheels and various paint finishes that encompass ‘Audi exclusive’ options. There's also the ability to not only change the colour of the side blades, but to have matt effect letters or graphics of your choice 'blasted' into them. Opting for 20-inch alloy wheels and ‘Gloss Carbon’ side blades on your standard R8 will set you back around £5,000.