Performance Review: Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic - [2012]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Audi R8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic is the 7 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2012. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Vitesse and the 2013 W-Motors Lykan HyperSport 3.7L Twin Turbo.This particular Audi R8 has a 4163cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The R8 shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the R8's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1760 kgs (3880 lbs) this makes the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic in the same weight category as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD or the give or take 50kg.

The Audi R8 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp)

In terms of power the 4163cc 32V V8 engine produces 424 bhp (316 kW) @ 7900 rpm similar to the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 Sport 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp) or the 2020 Lotus Evora GT410 3.5 V6 Supercharged (410 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 317 lb-ft (429.7 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Audi R8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (265.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Audi R8.

The Audi R8 has a Power to weight ratio of 240.9 bhp per ton and 180.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2012 R8 competing with the 2009 Jaguar XF R 5.0 V8 Supercharged (265.9 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (265.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Audi R8 generating around 180.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2005 Audi A8 S8 5.2 Quattro (205.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe 6.7 V12 (205.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.40 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.5 secs, this made the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic as fast as the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the or the 2020 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 3.8 V8 Twin Turbo (4.40 secs). This Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic is also faster than the 2022 BMW i7 xDrive60 (4.50 secs) the 2021 Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge 6.6 V12 Twin turbo (4.50 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Cabrio 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs) the and the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo F23 (4.50 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the R8 and the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air

When talking about the performance of the Audi R8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.76 secs @ 107.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2001 Pontiac Firebird Formula W96 Ram Air (12.70 secs), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 5.0 V8 Supercharged (12.70 secs), and the 2015 Peugeot 308 GTi 1.6 Turbo 250 (12.70 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2012 version of the Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic has a maximum speed of 186mph.

Top Speed of the 2012 R8 equals the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2012 Audi R8 Spyder 4.2 V8 FSI Quattro S-Tronic then how about the 2013 Nissan Skyline GT-R Pure Edition R35 (197 mph), the 2012 Nissan Skyline GTR R35 (197 mph), or the 2012 Audi R8 Plus S-Tronic 5.2 V10 (197 mph).

Related Links:

2012 R8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Audi

Car Comparison