Audi R8 review

As new builds drew to a close you were looking at north of £142,000 for the 562bhp RWD entry-level version, with the 612bhp quattro costing around £20,000 more. Meanwhile the Spyder added about £9,000 onto the price tag. Residuals are good, running costs... aren’t. Factor in the astronomical price of filling up with super unleaded and you’ll be needing another mortgage at each fuel stop. Ouch.

Then again, this is pretty much the case for all supercars and if you're in the market for a six-figure set of wheels, you probably won't give these costs a second thought. Nor the CO2, which stands between 286-296g/km.

The short stops between fill-ups might rankle though. The R8 carries a 73-litre tank (unless the box on the configurator was ticked for a larger 83-litre unit) so on paper that's a range of 360 miles or so. Expect closer to 250 in the real world. 

We know, you don’t think the R8 is a grand tourer, but trust us, it is. It’s just as comfortable and capable of smashing through long distances as an Aston Martin Vantage, or a DB12 for that matter. It's a very complete car.

And a good looking one, too. At least at the front – we’re not convinced by the blockier black venting at the rear – hints of old Lamborghini Gallardo, perhaps? Some of the wheels are a bit fussy, too. Spec carefully. And enjoy the now-standard all-LED lights. They’re awesome. After all, a fast car is only as quick at night as the distance it can see in the dark.

A quick rifle through the standard kit: climate control, Audi's 12.3in Virtual Cockpit, DAB radio, cruise control, high beam assistance, Nappa leather upholstery, heated seats... everything you'd expect on a car this expensive. No trying to squeeze more cash out of you by being stingy with the equipment list.

Entry-level RWD R8s get 19in forged alloys, with everything above on 20s. Five-spoke 19s look great, though. Towards the end of production you got fancier seats, black badges and mirrors, a carbon-finished sideblade and a Bang & Olufsen Sound System thrown in. Feeling extravagant? The Carbon Pack adds a gloss carbon fibre front splitter, side sills, mirrors, engine cover, rear diffuser and interior trim pieces. And costs £9,000. Your call.

The one to look out for in future auctions is the R8 GT, which gets the 612bhp engine tune with rear wheel drive, an aero kit of wings and flicks, and a 'Torque Rear' mode designed to help you hold powerslides without meeting St Peter at the end. It's a fantastic swansong. Just a pity the R8 didn't discover this sense of humour earlier...