The Audi R8 was shrouded in clout and cred when it was first unveiled, featured in virtually through various video games, and as a V12 TDI concept car at motor shows across the globe.
What made the car even more appealing is that it is an Audi. An undoubtedly premium brand for sure, but one that still maintains some semblance of affordability. It therefore isn’t far-fetched to assume that it must have occupied the wall or shelf space of young petrolheads the world over.
Stunning good looks, relative affordability (as compared to other supercars) and a sonorous European V8 mounted midship – what’s not to like?
Ever Changing Performance Goal Posts
In all honesty, the supercars of yesteryear do not feel that ‘super’ anymore. Power levels that were once the domain of some of the most exclusive cars on the road are now traits that you’d routinely find in vehicles lower down the food chain.
The 4.2 litre V8 made an impressive-for-2008 420 bhp. For some context, a modern day Audi RS 3 makes about 400 bhp. And with a more advanced DSG gearbox, better suspension and tyres, it’d eat the R8 V8 for breakfast and lunch. And quite possibly dinner as well.
This sensation that the car lacks speed probably also stems from my exposure to much quicker, present day cars. When compared to these simply-OP vehicles, the R8 doesn’t offer the aggressive shove that you may crave from a high-performance vehicle.
Another area where its vintage really shines through is its gearbox. We’re used to lightning quick DSG gearboxes, so the automated manual in the R8 V8 just feels really archaic and clunky. The featured example probably also isn’t in the best of nick, seeing that it has done some considerable mileage over its 15 or so years on our roads.
Refreshed Aesthetics
Where possible, the owner of the vehicle has opted to fit uprated components to modernise the vehicle. The car sports aftermarket headlights modelled after light clusters in the later R8s. Round the back, you’ll find taillights with a design lifted directly from the R8s of the late 2010s.
There’s no quad tailpipes in the back of this car either. Following that OEM+ ethos, it has the newer rear bumper with two large exhaust finishers. On the inside, much of the cabin remains stock, with most interior surfaces proudly wearing their age. The infotainment screen has been modernised with an aftermarket double din, with what looks to be a sheet of acrylic fashioned into a fascia cover.
Despite the car’s vintage, it still actually doesn’t look overly dated, proving that simplicity is the key to a timeless design.
No Longer ‘Super’
In all honesty, I didn’t get the chance to properly push this R8 on a bit of a twisty road. But a friend of mine did, and he wasn’t exactly impressed with the way it conducted itself.
We attributed it mostly to age. The bread-and-butter cars of today have the performance to challenge the hot hatches of just a decade ago. Just how ‘super’ are the supercars of the 2000s? Realistically speaking, at least on a performance front, you’d be better off with something more modern.
But if you’re after svelte supercar looks and the unmistakable bellow of an good old fashioned V8, there’s really no better buy than a 2000s R8!
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