2012 Audi R8

The 2012 Audi R8 Coupe is available in three main trims - 4.2 Coupe, 5.2 Coupe, and the newly added GT 5.2 Coupe. Both the 4.2 and 5.2 Coupe get 6-speed manual transmission as standard and have the option to upgrade to an automated manual. As standard, the R8 gets loads of safety features, electronic-adjustable seats with power lumbar support, LED DRLs, xenon headlights, 19-inch wheels, cruise control, and a lot more. The newly added GT trim gets everything the 5.2 Coupe does but a slightly bumped-up power from the V10 engine.

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The base would be just enough for every enthusiast out there but it is recommended to go for the 5.2 Coupe as it packs a more opulent cabin and that includes leather seats, alloy trim, and leather dash, a leather steering wheel, etc and most importantly, a more powerful engine. At $149,000 this is a great buy and promises one of the best supercar experiences today.

The 2012 R8 gets two engine options across the range as stated above. The base engine is a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 which is capable of pumping out 430 horsepower and 316 pound-feet of maximum torque. The other engine is a slightly bigger 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine putting out a healthy 525 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both the engines get a 6-speed manual transmission as standard and automatic manual transmission as an optional extra. Both engines get Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system as standard. 

The GT variant gets the same V10 mill as the 5.2 Coupe but gets a considerable power bump over the standard figures, that is, 560 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of maximum torque. With this much power, the R8 becomes a hooligan on its own and can dominate the segment. No matter which trim you choose, the 2012 R8 is fast, like really fast. With the base V8, the supercar takes 4.4 seconds to reach 60 miles an hour and completes a quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds. The V10 with the standard configuration does put up 60 miles an hour on the cluster in just 3.7 seconds. It even completes a quarter-mile in 11.5 seconds from a standstill.

Lamborghini has tuned the already powerful V10 engine from Audi and added a few extra horses and grunt. But the Audi is not far behind and does accelerate pretty quickly. The Porsche is equipped with a turbocharged motor, resulting in massive low-end torque. This translates to class-leading acceleration figures. The Aston Martin has the biggest engine in the competition and despite its decent power figures, it manages to compete with the competition producing very similar acceleration timings.

None of the cars in the segment gives you the fuel efficiency you would expect from a 2.0-liter hatch. Similarly, with the standard V10, the R8 just puts out 12 miles a gallon in the city, a slightly better 19 MPG on the highways, and a combined economy of 14 MPG. Coupled with a 23.8-gallon gas tank, the range is quite decent at 329 miles combined. The figures are quite decent considering the power output and a rev-happy nature.

Porsche leads the competition again with its slightly better fuel economy but the graph falls because of the smaller tank capacity it packs. The next place comes to the Lambo and Audi with very similar results and lastly the Aston Martin with the lowest numbers. The Porsche manages to return good range numbers.

If you consider any supercar, comfort, and practicality are rare. But with breathtaking performance, the R8 offers decent comfort with the added luxury. However, getting in and out can be difficult for taller people, but once you get in, the cabin seems to be inviting. The dashboard comes with leather and alloy material and holds the infotainment screen at the center and a sporty steering wheel on the left. Both the driver and passenger seats offer decent cushioning and come with power adjustability and heated functions. 

The cabin is mostly spacious with 37.7 inches of headroom and 54.8 inches of shoulder room. Although the legroom dimensions are not disclosed by Audi, it is decent. The cargo capacity is limited to 3.5 cubic feet and that means the space is adequate for fitting your gym bag. As standard, you get automatic climate control, heated 10-way power seats with four-way power-adjustable lumbar support, and leather/faux suede upholstery with the 2012 R8.

All the cars except the Porsche have a single seating row. All the cars offer a comfortable cabin for a supercar. The Porsche has a second row and the dimensions of the same are unknown but is not suitable for adults as it is cramped. The Aston Martin packs a slightly bigger cargo capacity than the competition and gives a bump to the practicality. Standout interior features in the 2012 Audi R8 include:

• Single zone front air conditioning
• Leather-wrapped steering wheel
• Leather-wrapped seats
• 8-way power-adjustable seats with power lumbar support and multi-level heating options
• Leather-alloy trims

How intuitive is the 2012 Audi R8 Coupe’s infotainment unit?

The 2012 R8 has infotainment features and systems like that of the outgoing model. Fiddling around the system is not easy and is quite cluttered. The display at the center is not touch-sensitive and comes with Audi’s latest MMI system and can be controlled using knobs. 

You also get Bluetooth and a seven-speaker sound system with a six-CD changer, auxiliary audio jack, and satellite radio as standard. But you can also equip it with a navigation system, iPod interface, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. Standout infotainment features are:

• 12-speaker audio system by Bang & Olufsen
• CD player
• Navigation
• Satellite radio
• USB connection
• Bluetooth

Take the R8 downtown and you will see it pulling all the attention like a magnet. That is how stylish the car is and Audi has done a great job in implementing an aggressive design language with sharp LED headlights and a lot of aerodynamic cuts and intakes at the sides too. The rear has LED taillights, and a rear spoiler with quad exhaust tips on either side. The roofline slopes gently to the rear making the engine at the middle be seen from the top. The dimensions of the R8 are of a typical supercar and that means the lowered height of 49.3 inches, ground clearance of 4.3 inches, a much wider body of 75 inches. 

The Porsche has the shortest wheelbase, class-leading height, and length. The other three cars are pretty much similar to each other in terms of overall dimensions but the Lambo is the lightest in the bunch and also has a higher ground clearance. The Audi fits in the middle between the Lamborghini and Aston Martin and offers a decent ground clearance. Standout exterior features of the R8 are as follows:

• 19-inch wheels
• Heated mirrors
• LED headlights and taillights
• Performance exhaust. (Optional)
• Spoiler

Supercars are not tested for safety by the agencies. And coming from Audi, the safety quotient is at its peak and is known for producing safe cars with the good build quality. As standard, ABS, traction control, stability control, tire pressure monitoring, etc are available. Overall, the car is quite safe. Standout safety features are:

• Post-collision safety system
• Self-leveling headlamps
• Emergency braking assist
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Electronic brakeforce distribution

With staggering performance, sharp looks, sleek design language, and so on, the 2012 R8 is more than what meets the eye. There are quite a few downsides like the absence of an intuitive infotainment system, and for the price, the base trim does not get flagship-grade interior materials. But the Audi R8 is a machine that you can live with and take to your workplace and gain some popularity if it’s what you want.