2023 Audi R8 GT vs The Cheapest Audi R8 You Can Buy

The 2023 Audi R8 GT ($302,600 in Canada, $253,290 in the US) is up against its V8 ancestor, the 2009 R8 ($63,995 in the US, $85,000 in Canada). Price difference aside, these two Audi supercars command a striking mid-engine road presence and an exotic yet comfortable experience.

The elder R8 is known for its gated manual transmission that provides extra driver engagement and comes with a blazing 420 horsepower out of 8 cylinders. The R8 GT however has a newly updated 7-speed automatic transmission, a slew of carbon fibre and weight savings, and a horsepower number over 600 coming from a sonorous V10. How does the last hoorah of the Audi R8 stack up against its much more affordable ancestor? Thomas and James are excited to find out! We hope you enjoy the episode. Subscribe!

Huge thank you to @love2shift for loaning us their gated R8 and to @Brandon_sage for making it happen!

Editor: Karston Chong
Sound: Harrison Dickson and Karston Chong
Magical Genius Logistics Planners: James Engelsman and Gregory DeCaire

[normankerft]

the "hold me backs" is easily the funniest thing you guys have ever done...genuinely LOLd

[anthonygreene]

Dont know how you guys keep coming up with a great intro time after time. Thank you guys.

[SpeedCafeGarage]

As an Aussie, Throttle House's comparison videos really are hard to comprehend because of how expensive these cars are over here. Love the work guys

[StevenHe]

"420 hp. you might say it's blazin'"

[superleggera]

I love the new gen R8, but every time I see a 1st gen, I just think about how well it's aged and how great it still looks. They are already starting to shoot up, and will definitely become a future classic.

[justthevoicebackup]

The beauty of the original R8, 458, and SLS is unmatched.

[nirajshuklaNL]

You guys do the Old Vs New better than anyone else!

[ryantansley]

Anyone else love how enthusiastically they introduce themselves, never change guys!

[milootje]

Nothing beats the styling of the first R8. I prefer the old one over the new one by a mile.

[danielanthony]

I haven't tuned in for several months now but it makes me incredibly happy to see you are still delivering what was the very best of top gear style content (pure unadulterated car reviews) and none of the nonsense they started pitting out in the later years. Please keep it up, you guys are the best at it.

[tahirakinci]

The chemistry between Thomas and James and the unending spew of creativity will take this channel and whatever you guys end up doing in the future all sorts of places. Good work.

[thehumanoid]

V8 R8 is a masterpiece in every way. For all purposes, a DTM derived V8 that sounds like a touring car from the 90's, game changing design which audi still follows in some ways till date and something the new one lacks, a manual.

[hatchgang]

The "corn" and "what the fork" was done brilliantly 😂

[glaize]

The old R8 4.2 V8 will always be my dream car. It may be old but I just don't care. In this day and age of newer and better supercars, this car will always be the one that cemented Audi's reputation as it became its halo car. Sure its V8's architecture is the same as the RS4 that came before it but what an engine it was and it is even by today's standards. Step on the clutch, hear the shifters clink, release the clutch and step on the gas, feel the undulations of the road through its steering wheel. Every corner, every bump, every rev that it makes is just a treat to your senses that newer cars may no longer be able to offer you. It's a modernized analog car for enthusiasts who wanted it up close and personal.

[TacoDraws]

The original V8 R8 with that manual is just perfect. Looks so much better than the new ones too.

[andrewgalloway]

Yet again an epic story and not just a car review. Love how you guys work

[DayumSonny]

The OG R8 V8 manual was always my favorite car. It's looks are so much better than the ones that came after.

[tommarino]

I always feel that the original R8 4.2 is a successor to the NA1 & NA2 Honda NSX as the usable, reliable every day mid engined supercar. As Thomas said in the vid one of those V8 R8s with a nice exhaust and some other upgrade mods would be a pretty perfect drivers car. Also they have aged very well, looks as good today as it did back in 2007.

[guidobosson]

Dangit you guys!!! The launch that starts at 4:22 till about 4:32 has my ears filled with joy. I think its the first time a car channel has thought about the exhaust clips and sounds bringing over to the viewers. If im correct, a exhaust mic outside of the car was used in this clip to capture its glorious engine launch symphony out the back. And was then layered over the video clip recording the indoor as he launches it. THIS makes it sooo much more realistic in a way it kinda makes you feel like your inside it while taking of.

[chillidawg]

Had the pleasure of driving an original R8 with a sports exhaust. And the V8 with a different exhaust sounds incredible