Over the past decade or so, the German automobile manufacturer Audi has become a much more stylish and upmarket brand than it used to be.
Just like how new cars only have push button start, Audi is innovating their product line to be more competitive.
While Audi used to have closer to a mid-level price range, the Audi vehicles being made today often match or exceed the price ranges of competitors like Porsche or McLaren. Audi’s top model is the Audi R8, and prices for the sports car have soared in the past decade.
If you’re looking to purchase a high-powered sports car, it can be difficult to determine whether the expensive price of the Audi R8 is due to the actual quality of the vehicle or if it’s mostly due to branding and hype.
The brand has gotten trendier in recent years for sure, but is that the only reason the R8 costs such a big chunk of change?
In this article, we’re going to go over the reasons the Audi R8 is so expensive and determine if the car is overrated or underrated.
Overview of the Audi R8
To begin, let’s start out by getting an idea of the features that come with the Audi R8.
Because the R8 is listed at such a high price point, one can expect it to have qualities that live up to how much money they’re asking for.
The 2022 model of the vehicle boasts a list of impressive features, including:
- A V10 engine is offered in two speeds: 562 or 602 horsepower, depending on your needs
- Audi’s trademark permanent all-wheel drive system, the Quattro
- A seven-speed dual-automatic steering system
- A top of the line minimalist interior cabin
While it’s clear that the R8 is a pricey vehicle, it’s also apparent when looking at the features that come with the car that the Audi model is designed to be luxurious.
Regardless of which engine you choose, the vehicle has incredible acceleration and torque, and the overall performance of the car is on par with what’s generally expected of supercars.
Just How Expensive is the Audi R8?
So, we know that the Audi R8 is expensive, but just how expensive is it?
Depending on which model you decide to buy, the 2022 Audi R8 can range anywhere from $147,000 to $212,795. This price range is fairly on-par with other luxury sports cars that have come out in the past year, such as:
- The 2022 McLaren 570S: $195,000 to $211,300
- The 2021 Lamborghini Huracán: $214,866 to $233,423
- The 2022 Porsche 911: $102,550 to $158,150
As you can see, the Audi R8 isn’t even the cheapest sports car in its echelon: the prestigious Porsche 911 comes in at just a fraction of the price!
It’s clear that in recent years, the R8 has become a highly desired vehicle.
The Audi website describes the vehicle as “a legendary sports car to own,” and it’s clear from both the price and advertising surrounding the car that it definitely has a lot of hype in automobile enthusiast communities.
Impressive Speed
One of the main reasons that the Audi R8 is so expensive to purchase is because it’s a tremendously fast vehicle.
Like we mentioned before, the R8 comes with a choice of two different engines— 562 and 602 horsepower.
Compared to the cheap Dodge Charger supercharged V8, V8, and regular V6 engines.
These V10 engines are incredibly powerful, and it’s understandable for Audi to justify a good amount of the R8’s price due to the sheer power of the engine.
It’s understandable that the Audi R8 costs more because it has a V10 engine.
V10 engines have massive horsepower and torque, and it’s difficult to find new cars on the market with these types of engines.
As of 2019, there were only three cars still in production with a V10 engine.
These were the Audi R8, the Lamborghini Huracán, and the Ford E-Series van.
This means that if you want a new sports car that isn’t as flashy as a Lamborghini, you don’t really have options other than the Audi R8.
Because the R8 has a rare set of specs and is in high demand, the price is a lot higher than it used to be!
Marketing and Brand Recognition
Of course, marketing and brand recognition also play a huge role in the price of the Audi R8.
Just like how the best Ford Thunderbirds used to pitch to their consumers back in the day.
As we said before, it can be a little nerve-wracking to purchase a vehicle from a trendy brand, as you can’t be sure if the price is due to quality or just hype.
That being said, there’s something to say for the level of brand recognition that comes with an Audi R8.
Many people know about the Audi R8, and a lot of car collectors have brand recognition on a list of pros when it comes to purchasing a new vehicle.
After all, it’s much easier to discuss your new car with your buddies if they’re all familiar with the model!
Brand recognition is good; that’s how you know you can pick the best products with good customer satisfaction.
Take, for example, purchasing batteries— will you buy the X2 Power or Odyssey battery?
Part of the reason the R8 is so ‘trendy’ and so many people are familiar with the car is because of the extensive marketing that was done for the vehicle.
The Audi R8 makes an appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the personal vehicle for Tony Stark, who is played by Robert Downey Jr.
The car has made appearances in Spider-Man: Homecoming, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and Captain America: Civil War.
The R8’s presence in these films added to its reputation as a trendy vehicle that’s worth a lot of money.
It’s no wonder that since these films came out, Audi R8 prices have only gone up!
Style and Craftsmanship
On a similar note, the Audi R8 also has some great customization and style features that definitely increase the price of the vehicle.
One of the reasons why there is a big difference between the Audi R8 and the cheap Corvettes.
Cosmetically, a wide range of colors are available for the outside of the vehicle, and customers can choose between black, gray, brown, and red leather for the interior seating.
What’s more, buyers can even choose if they want their interior leather to be in a flat or quilted pattern!
Because there are so many customization options and ways to make the car truly your own, this drives the price up.
Additionally, much of the value of the Audi R8 comes from the expert craftmanship involved in the manufacture of the vehicle.
The R8 is built in Audi’s manufacturing facility in Neckarsulm, Germany, where there are incredibly high standards for artistry.
This facility in Germany employs a team of 241 technicians who work on the cars by hand. Because there are certain automobile manufacturing standards that require use of robotics at some points in the building process, Audi has the technicians build the vehicles by hand wherever possible.
It’s rare for cars these days to have as many manually assembled parts as the Audi R8 has, which is definitely another factor in the high price point.
Is the Audi R8 Worth the Money?
After looking at all of the factors that go into determining the price of the Audi R8, it’s clear why this vehicle is so expensive. In addition to being a trendy car that appeals to a high-earning demographic, the R8 can reach exorbitant speeds and reaches a level of craftsmanship that not many cars these days possess. If you’re looking for a V10 engine, it’s one of two sports cars on the market and with its less-flashy, minimalist design, it might just be the perfect fit for your needs!
Overall, it’s difficult to imagine Audi making the R8 any less expensive between the high horsepower, uncommon engine, and the wide range of customizable features buyers can choose from when purchasing the vehicle.
It may actually give the expensive Nissan GTR a run for its money.
For those who want a high-power car that is also a great choice for day-to-day driving around the neighborhood, the Audi R8 is the most premium car on the market.
