Collectable Classics: 2006-2024 Audi R8

With a total of 45,949 units sold over a 17-year run, the Audi R8 was a resounding success for the German automaker.

Audi coyly said in a press release announcing the end of R8 supercar production that its aluminum-intensive coupe was “the result of a cooperation with subsidiary Lamborghini.” Turns out, there’s a lot more to the story than that.

Developed by Audi’s quattro GMBH racing division, the R8’s sleek and stylish bodywork was draped over an aluminum spaceframe chassis derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo. This chassis was around 500 pounds lighter than the bones of the contemporary Audi RS4 sedan, which used the same 4.2-liter V8 engine that the R8 debuted with. A Lamborghini-sourced power infusion would come soon after.

The R8’s lightweight bodywork was made mostly of either aluminum or carbon fiber. The most striking design element that made the R8 stand out from other wedge-shaped supercars was its pair of side blades that broke up the mid-engine car’s side profile. Still, the entire kit ‘n kaboodle looked so different from its competitors that it sent the entire industry in exciting new directions.

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What Makes the Audi R8 So Interesting?

We touched on how the R8 benefited from Audi’s connection with Lamborghini, but that’s hardly the only reason why Audi’s seminal supercar was such a groundbreaking introduction. One of the R8’s most eyebrow-raising specifications was its comparatively reasonable suggested retail price. 

When the R8 launched in 2007, it was priced to go up against competitors like the Porsche 911 and Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Those are special cars, no doubt. But the R8 was altogether different – a true mid-engine machine with exotic looks and greater performance than its similarly priced peers. And it got better.

While the Audi Le Mans Quattro Concept that previewed the R8 and debuted at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show also borrowed the Lambo’s V10 engine (turbocharged in conceptual form), when the R8 went into production it was fitted with Audi’s well-regarded and naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 that sent 420 horsepower to all four wheels. Starting in 2009, however, Audi added a 5.2-liter V10 engine to the R8’s options list, pushing power to 518 ponies. Both engines could be ordered with a proper six-speed manual transmission or an R-Tronic automated manual gearbox that was quicker but not as fulfilling for driving enthusiasts. A seven-speed dual-clutch showed up on the options sheet in 2014 and was deemed vastly superior to the old single-clutch auto box.

In addition to its sinewy exterior design, the R8 benefited from Audi’s excellence in interior design. The form-fitting dashboard shape, easy-to-read gauges (which became digital in later years) and high-quality leather, aluminum and carbon fiber interior pieces fit together beautifully and helped make the Audi R8 a supercar you could drive every day of the week.

What Is The Best Version Of The Audi R8?

There were two generations of the Audi R8. The first generation ran from 2007 through 2015, and the second generation, which was built atop the upgraded chassis of the contemporary Lamborghini Huracán, ended production after the 2024 model year.

The R8 line matured throughout the car’s production run, with power increases, new iterations, trim levels and styles that included both two-door coupe and Spyder convertibles. It’s easy to say that the best versions of the Audi R8 came toward the end of the car’s production run. By the end of the line, the R8 could send as much as 633 horsepower to all four wheels and easily clear the 200-mile-per-hour barrier. There were also rear-wheel-drive R8 models sold in North America aimed at purists who think all-wheel drive is two too many.

We’re not going to suggest that those ultimate R8s aren’t extremely desirable cars. They are. But we think early R8s with Audi’s excellent V8 engine and six-speed manual transmission may simultaneously take the smiles-per-hour and bang-for-your-buck crowns.

What Should You Expect To Pay For a Used Audi R8?

According to CarGurus, the average price for an Audi R8 in America in the fall of 2025 sat at $163,756, but there’s a wide pricing gap between the least- and most-expensive R8 models. Some early R8s or later base versions can sell for $60,000 or less. A nice second-generation R8 with reasonable miles should trade hands in the $120,000 range, and the sky is the limit for low-volume models like the R8 V10 GT.

AutoGuide’s used car classifieds is another source for used Audi R8 models, including an interesting example wearing Audi Exclusive Velvet Purple paint.

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