The Audi R8 has gained a loyal following from car enthusiasts over the years, with a variety of models released that enable consumers to pick their perfect match for a supercar that blends style, speed, and practicality. However, while Audi did offer the R8 with a manual transmission, this is no longer the case.
The last Audi R8 with a manual transmission was made in 2015 and produced in Germany. Subsequent Audi R8 cars have all been produced with automatic transmission, primarily as a result of consumer preferences and enhanced performance.
While manual enthusiasts may lament the loss of a manual gearbox in the R8, fans of automatic transmission have benefited from the quick efficiency and enhanced performance provided by automatic Audi R8 supercars.
The last manual Audi R8
The last R8 to be made with a manual gearbox was a 2015 Nardo Gray Audi R8 powered by a V8 engine. The car was manufactured in Audi’s Neckarsulm factory in Germany.
Not only is the car the last R8 with a manual transmission, but it’s also been celebrated through a European road trip. The car’s owner, Erik Dietz, partnered with Michelin and Audi USA for the road trip, which involved shipping the car from California to Europe where it covered more than 8700 miles to Sweden in four weeks.
Audi’s 2015 manual R8 may lack some speed compared to its automatic siblings but that’s not to say it can’t produce an impressive burst when required. The car can go from 0 to 60 mph in only 4.6 seconds, while also achieving top speeds of 185 mph.
Why did Audi shift from manual to automatic?
The switch from manual to automatic ultimately came down to consumer preference. Most consumers who are looking for maximum performance opt for automatic transmission over a manual gearbox as it is quicker, easier, and more efficient for changing gears.
Though many car enthusiasts still enjoy the control a manual gearbox provides and the driver finesse it requires to maximize driving efficiency, it makes sense for Audi to follow the majority consumer consensus that automatic transmission is preferable in an R8.
When Audi released the second-generation R8 in 2015, the V8 engine was swapped to a V10 engine, again in line with consumer preference for maximum performance.
Audi states their S tronic dual-clutch transmission offers the convenience of automatic transmission paired with the efficiency of a manual gearbox. It can be useful to think of this transmission as automated manual transmission in some ways.
Additionally, Audi claims their S tronic dual-clutch transmission also enables reduced fuel consumption in many situations in comparison to a manual gearbox.
Is there money to be made from manual transmissions?
While automatic transmission may be a preference for many supercar owners these days, that’s not to say that manual gearboxes don’t hold some allure. Supercar owners may find that their manual transmission vehicles have increased in value, in combination due to scarcity as well as a nostalgic appreciation for the driving experience offered by supercars with manual transmission.
For instance, Ferrari decided to stop producing cars with a manual transmission as there was minimal demand for them and the manual transmission couldn’t match the performance of Ferrari’s double-clutch gearbox.
However, owners with manual Ferraris were onto a winner in the investment department. While demand for manual Ferraris may have declined, in subsequent years some Ferrari models with manual gearboxes have seen increases in value, more so than their automatic counterparts.
A similar increase in value may apply to Audi R8s with manual transmission. Now that manual Audi R8s are no longer being manufactured, enthusiasts may be harking back to the driving pleasures of a manual R8 that requires more from its driver and arguably delivers a more involved and immersive experience.
Either way, it’s not unreasonable for manual Audi R8 owners to hold on to their vehicles for a while. It could prove to be a savvy investment choice.
Better performance doesn’t always mean a better car
At the end of the day, whether a manual Audi R8 or an automatic R8 is the better car comes down to personal preferences. The automatic R8 undoubtedly offers enhanced performance over its manual sibling; it’s faster, more powerful, and also ups the level of luxury.
However, there’s lots to love about the manual R8 and for car enthusiasts, it arguably delivers a more satisfying driving experience. Either way, drivers are still getting a great car, regardless of their flavor of choice.