Is the Gen 1 Audi R8 is Actually BETTER than Gen 2??? (5 Reasons Why/Why Not)

Intro

We are now living in a world where Audi will no longer build you a brand new R8. And while that is sad there is some good news. There are plenty of preowned Audi R8s that you can choose from. So, your dream of owning the Audi supercar is not dead. But which one should you buy? Many folks will automatically assume that you should go for the newest model. But is that always the right choice? What we have done is built a list of five reasons why the first generation R8 is better than the second generation. And to keep things fair we also provide five reasons why you might want to grab a second gen.

The first generation cars are from 2008 to 2015 and the second generation cars are from 2017 to 2023. Each generation had a midlife update but we a not splitting hairs that close for this list. We are lumping in all the gen 1 and gen 2 cars together. And when we do that, these are the five reasons why the gen 1 is the better buy. And the five reasons why it isn’t.

Gen 1 Advantage #1 – Price

You can get into a clean first gen R8 for less than $60,000. And for around $100,000 you can get a post-facelift first gen with a V10. Buying a clean second gen car is going to cost you at least $120,000 and models such as the R8 GT and V10 Performance Spyder will cost you between $200,000 and $300,000. That is a huge price bump. The 2023 R8 GT is a great car. But is it THREE TIMES better than say a 2014 V10 R8? From a pure driving perspective, we don’t think so.

Gen 2 Advantage #1 – Performance

If all you care about is the fastest 0 to 60 or lap time, then you are going to want a second gen R8. Starting in 2017 the Audi R8 only came with a V10 engine. The first generation could be had with a 420 horsepower V8. But the weakest second generation car had a 540 horsepower V10. That is more power than the most powerful first generation car. The second gen V10 Plus model has 610 horsepower. The newer cars are more powerful and faster, it is as simple as that. So, if a few tenths of a second means the world to you, then you are going to want to spring for the newer generation.

Gen 1 Advantage #2 – Manual Transmission

Do you put driving involvement above acceleration figures? Do you value a more engaging car than lap times? Well, you can’t beat an old-fashioned manual transmission for that. And the Audi R8 manual transmission is a lovely, gated shifter affair. And you can only get one in the first generation cars. For many enthusiasts the argument ends right here. If you want a manual R8, you are buying a first generation. Period. End of story.

Gen 2 Advantage #2 – Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission

The manual transmission is fantastic but if you must have an automatic, then the second gen is your best bet. The S-Tronic dual clutch automatic became available in 2014, the tail end of the Gen 1 cars. But the vast majority of the first gen had the R-Tronic single clutch setup. The R-Tronic is not nearly as smooth as the S-Tronic and it does not shift as quickly. If you want to drive the most advanced automatic transmission, you need to go with the S-Tronic and that is more readily available in the second generation.

Gen 1 Advantage #3 – Style

The look of the first generation R8 is smoother and more organic. It has a lovely, flowing shape that has aged well over the years. It still looks sexy and aggressive today without looking overwrought. There are a lot of folks that prefer the simpler styling that comes with the first generation cars. If you are one of those folks, then these are the cars for you.

Gen 2 Advantage #3 – Style

With the second generation R8, Audi introduced a more angular and aggressive style to the car. It looks more modern. It looks a bit meaner. And just like some folks prefer the older style, there are those that prefer the newer style. If you like the look of the new cars, then the second generation is where you will be shopping.

Gen 1 Advantage #4 – The Original

There is always something to be said about the first generation of a new supercar. The first generation R8 was the start of something special. Sure, Audi refined it and made it faster over the years, and that is great. But it all started with the original cars of the first generation. If you want to get in on the ground floor, you are going to want a first gen R8.

Gen 2 Advantage #4 – Technology

With the second gen R8 Audi introduced new and updated technology. And if you are the type that loves the latest and greatest then this is the generation for you. You got things like standard Apply CarPlay and Android Auto, the Audi Virtual Cockpit instrument cluster and more. Perhaps more importantly the second generation cars used an all-new Audi Space Frame platform made from aluminum and carbon fiber. This platform reduced weight and improved torsional rigidity. The newer cars are simply more advanced.

Gen 1 Advantage #5 – Performance

Yes, we have performance listed previously as a second generation advantage, but the first generation has a performance advantage too. The slowest R8 you can buy will still top 180 mph. You can still pound them around a racetrack. They are still fast enough for you to lose your license in a hurry. Will they lose a race when up against the more powerful second generation cars? Yes. But the first generation R8 still packs all the punch that anyone could reasonably want. The original R8 has the goods to back up the exotic car looks. The point is that with the second generation you are spending a lot more money on a car that is only a little bit faster. And no one will call the first generation slow.

Gen 2 Advantage #5 – Warranty

These cars are new enough to be covered by a certified preowned warranty. Or still under the original new car warranty. So, you get to enjoy your Audi supercar without the fear of costly repairs. There is no question that is a nice feeling. Of course, you are paying more money upfront for one of these second generation examples. But the trade off is that you might not have to worry about any repairs for several years.

Images: Audi