This Mid-Engine V-8 Exotic Car With A Manual That's Often Overlooked Can Be The Next Big Thing

The first mid-engine Audi in its base variant is an often-overlooked mid-engine sports car. Here's why you might want to consider one.

Posted: July 8, 2025 - 12:56PM
Author: Dimitar Angelov

Audi R-8 V-8 is the brand's first production mid-engine sports car. There was the Audi Sport Quattro RS 001, but that was a racing prototype that never made it to production. As for the R8, it quickly established itself as one of the most usable sports cars you can get. After 18 years of production and two generations, the mid-engine Audi R8 was thought to be gone for good, but new reports suggest otherwise.

Audi's flagship supercar always shared “bones” with the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracan. This includes the normally aspirated V-10. Because of that engine, another, much rarer version of the R8 was discontinued. The first-generation Audi R8 could be had with a 4.2-liter V-8 and a gated manual. Those two options were discontinued in 2015, with the second-generation's arrival.

Even in V-8 form, the Audi R8 packs great performance

Audi R8 V-8 engine

Between 2006 and 2015, the base engine for the Audi R8 was a 4.2-liter, normally aspirated, DOHC V-8. This was the same engine used in the Audi RS4 B7, but with a few modifications to make it more suitable for a mid-engine layout. One key difference was that the R8 engine featured dry-sump lubrication.

In the R8, the V-8 engine produced 420 horsepower at 7,800 RPM and 317 pound-feet (430 Nm) at 4,500-5,500 RPM. Surprisingly, the US models are slightly more powerful, producing 430 horsepower at 7,900 RPM and 317 pound-feet at 4,500-6,000 RPM. With just 3,439 pounds, the R8 can be considered one of the more lightweight sports cars you can buy today.

The Audi R8 V-8 could be had with three different transmissions, but the most sought-after examples are the ones that have the six-speed gated manual. The automatics are two. Examples made from 2006 to 2012 feature a six-speed R-Tronic, which is a robotized manual.

Later models feature a much smoother, six-speed S-Tronic, which is a dual-clutch automatic with the same number of gears. As for the 0 to 60 mph, the Audi R8 V-8 dispenses with it in 4.4 seconds (if you get it right), on its way to a top speed of 187 mph (302 km/h).

Audi R8 V-8 Prices are weird

Audi R8 first generation

The Audi R8 V-8 can be a real bargain, depending on what you are looking for. If you want the gated manual, prepare to be disappointed as they are more than twice the price of an automatic R8 V-8. According to Classic.com, the average price for a first-generation Audi R8 V-8 is $97,982, but prices are all over the place. The cheapest recorded sale is for $26,002, for what is likely a high-mileage, automatic example. The most recent sale at the time of writing this article is for $99,000.

Things look much better if you settle for an automatic. If you don't mind an example of the mid-engine Audi with a touch over 100,000 miles on the odometer, you can have a V-8 mid-engine exotic car for as little as $50,000. Less driven examples are in the $90,000-$100,000 range.

Reliability

When it comes to the Audi R8 engines, the V-10 is the one that steals the show, not just in terms of performance, but also in terms of reliability. That's not to say the V-8 is problematic. In fact, the 4.2-liter unit is known to be reliable when taken care of, although owners have reported a few issues.

Most of these are minor irritations, while others could result in expensive repair bills if not timely attended. These include the following:

A/C compressor failure.

A2DP module, which experienced Audi owners say is highly specific depending on the vehicle model and year of manufacture.

The coolant reservoir may explode randomly, likely due to prolonged heat exposure and/or age, not as common, but still possible.

Various sensors may fail – some owners report throttle body and intake manifold solenoids, which may fail, but these are cheap and typically easy to replace.

Chain tensioner failure may result in stretched timing chains.

Magnetic ride suspension may fail.

Frame cracks can be a problem on some early model years.

Final thoughts

The Audi R8 is a great example of a high-performance, mid-engine sports car that is suitable for daily driving. With 45,949 units built between 2006 and 2024, the R8 is hardly among the most exclusive exotic cars out there, but it is also far from mass-produced. The 4.2-liter V-8 is a known and widely used engine, with very few parts being specific to the R8.

With manual examples gravitating around the $140,000 region, the R8 V-8 is far from a performance car bargain, especially with cars like the 2025 Porsche 911 Carrera T starting at $138,700 and boasting more performance. In short, the Audi R8 V-8 manual is a victim of exclusivity without being a very exclusive sports car.

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image sources: Audi R8 press release/ Tedward on YouTube, Needpix.com

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