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The Audi R8 is a thrilling sports car that gives you an exciting driving experience packed into a head-turning package.
This mid-engine two-seat coupe combines all-wheel drive with incredible V10 performance.
While you might think that owning a beautiful supercar like the R8 is an unrealistic dream, getting one of these Audis for yourself is more feasible than ever before, thanks to new lease deals and our best offers.
You can have all the benefits of having your own new Audi while not having to deal with the responsibilities of being the official owner. Keep reading to learn more about this luxury performance car and how you can get one for yourself.
About the Audi R8
Audi AG is a German automobile manufacturing company known for producing luxurious vehicles and delivering innovative technology.
Audi is a part of the Volkswagen Group of multinational automotive companies, which is the largest automaker in the world based on sales.
The Audi brand ranks among the best-selling luxury car brands while also benefiting from Volkswagen’s resources and historically reliable engineering. The R8 is a unique vehicle that uses almost entirely individualized parts specially designed to give you peak performance.
The Audi R8 was first introduced in 2006 and has been a favorite among car enthusiasts ever since.
The vehicle features exclusive design aspects and performance parts made by Audi Sport GmbH (more famously known as Quattro Gmbh).
Underpinning this nimble coupe is the Audi Space Frame, which helps keep the curb weight at a minimum for better performance. Using space frame principles and light materials, Audi engineers manage to shed weight on this car while actually increasing the torsional rigidity. The Audi Space Frame platform uses both aluminum and carbon fiber as building materials.
The Audi R8 shares some of its chassis with the Lamborghini Huracan. While they’re not direct competitors, the similarities between the two supercars are essential since the R8 is a much less expensive option.
There are several luxury sports cars on the market today that can be compared with Acura. The R8 competes directly with other sports coupes like the Acura NSX, Porsche 911, jaguar F-Type, and Mercedes-AMG. The short-lived Audi R8 e-Tron model rivaled all-electric supercars like the BMW i8.
Professional drivers and auto critics alike have lauded the Audi R8. The vehicle has improved over its 14-year run and continues to deliver impressive performance.
What might be everyone’s favorite feature, the Audi R8 comes with a 5.2-liter V10 engine, which pushes either 540 horsepower (standard V10) or 610 horsepower (V10 Plus). Both options give you breathtaking performance and a riveting 10-cylinder growl that is missing from competitors who choose smaller engines for better MPG ratings.
2017 Audi R8 Coupe
In 2017, Audi produced both the R8 coupe and R8 Spyder. These models are nearly identical (minus the Spyder’s convertible top) and give you the option of either the regular R8 V10 engine or the R8 V10 Plus (which is more expensive).
The chassis for this model year was all-new and incredibly light-weight. Drivers can choose between Dynamic, Comfort, Auto, and Performance driving modes, and switching between the settings is simple thanks to the steering-wheel-mounted controls. Many critics have noted that the MagneRide shocks and Comfort driving option give the R8 an uncommonly smooth ride.
You spend most of your time inside the car, so Audi made sure to give extra attention to the R8’s cabin. The dashboard features Audi’s new Virtual Cockpit, which has a full-screen design that allows you to customize your instrument cluster.
There are a handful of display options, including a performance mode, Google maps integration, and a simple speedometer configuration. Directly connecting you with the road is the R8’s ratio-varying Dynamic Steering. This new tech, coupled with dynamic driving options, make the 2017 Audi R8 a pure joy to drive.
The 2017 Audi R8 comes with a Bang & Olufsen Sound System that includes 13 active speakers, CosCone midrange drivers, and a subwoofer.
Other standard equipment includes LED lights, power spoiler, parking sensors, power-folding heated side mirrors, keyless entry, push-button start, Audi MMI infotainment system, and satellite radio. The Diamond Stitch Package includes full leather seats and an Alcantara Headliner with multiple interior color options.
At the time of its release, the 2017 Audi R8 had an MSRP of $164,150. The optional Audi R8 V10 Plus model would cost buyers $27,000 on top of the base price.
Today, the two models have an average listing price of $124,800 and $147,000, respectively.
Additional options and special features can cause the price rise depending on dealer preference and location. This price is higher than some competitors like Acura and BMW, but much lower than mid-engine coupes from Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
2017 Audi R8 Lease Deals
You can lease a 2017 Audi R8 for just $1,950 per month, including tax. This price is with a down payment of $10,000. This Audi lease offer would give you ten thousand miles per year for three years. The cost can also be lower for drivers who currently lease an Audi thanks to the company’s loyalty program. Leases come in either 24-month or 36-month options, with varying miles per year and overall prices.
Leasing New vs. Leasing Used
Both the 2020 Audi R8 and the 2017 Audi R8 share almost every mechanical feature. While the new Audi received a minor facelift, both models come with the same engine, transmission, and drivetrain.
The benefit of opting to lease the slightly older model is pricing. Lease payments for a brand new 2020 R8 come at a much higher price point for a vehicle that’s nearly identical to the 2017 model. The two vehicles also look pretty much the same, so while you’re paying less, people will still be enamored by your flashy new R8.
Leasing a used vehicle allows you to shop outside your expected budget. A leased car already has a lower monthly payment than a new car loan, so leasing a used vehicle helps drive the price down even further.
Your insurance will also be less expensive for a car that is a few years old compared to a brand new vehicle. It is important to keep in mind that leasing new does have some downsides. It is slightly more likely that an older car could run into mechanical issues, and extended warranties to cover a used vehicle are more expensive.
Is Leasing an Audi R8 Right for You?
Leasing vehicles has become more and more popular over the years. That’s one of the biggest reasons that right now is the best time to lease a car.
With so many different lease deals out there, terms and prices are more competitive than ever before, which allows you to get some of the best deals possible. Competitive deals and an array of lease options can allow you to treat yourself with an exciting sports car that you normally wouldn’t want to spend money on.
The reduced monthly payments are a significant aspect if leasing, but you might be wondering how it actually works.
Lease pricing is based on the depreciation of a vehicle. Basically, you’re only paying for the amount a car will decrease in value during your lease. This keeps your out-of-pocket cost much lower than getting a car loan for over $100,000 plus years of interest.
Both you and the dealership win when you lease a car because you save money and they’ll still have a car to sell once the lease is finished.
If you like to keep life interesting by changing your vehicle often, leasing gives you the unique opportunity to change cars every few years without having to sell it yourself.
If you bought a brand new car and then tried selling it two years later, it could be tough to get a fair price. Most people that buy cars that are only a couple years old tend to look for certified dealerships, and being an independent owner can put you at a disadvantage.
Plus, every lease expiration gives you the freedom to upgrade your current vehicle or opt for a completely different type of car.
Audi R8 Lease FAQs
What happens when the lease is finished?
Once it’s time to return your R8 to the dealership, you have a few options to contemplate. You can choose between walking away from the vehicle, using it as a trade-in for a new car with the same dealership, or purchasing the vehicle.
All three options have their own pros and cons, as well as different legal requirements. For everything, you need to know about your end of lease options, read about them here.
Is a 2017 Audi R8 expensive to maintain?
Audis can be more expensive to maintain compared to non-luxury brands. A base model Toyota costs an average of $600 per year to maintain, and a vehicle like the R8 can cost more than double that. However, it’s important to remember the frequency of running into mechanical issues is lower, and, as a lessee, you won’t be in possession of the car for as long as an owner (reducing expected maintenance costs).
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