Compare the2022 Audi R8VS 2021 Lotus Evora

Safety
Warranty
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Transmission and Drivetrain
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Recommendations

Safety

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The R8 has a standard Secondary Collision Brake Assist, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Evora doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The R8 Quattro Performance has all-wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The Evora doesn’t offer all-wheel drive.

The R8 has standard Parking System Plus to help warn the driver about vehicles, pedestrians or other obstacles behind or in front of their vehicle. The Evora doesn’t offer a front parking aid.

The R8 has standard Audi Connect CARE, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Evora doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the R8 and the Evora have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights and rearview cameras.

The Audi R8 weighs 467 to 858 pounds more than the Lotus Evora. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

Warranty

The R8 comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car. The Evora’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

The R8 comes with free roadside assistance for 4 years unlimited miles. Audi will send help if you run out of gas, need a jump-start, lock your keys in or need any assistance on the road. Lotus doesn’t give free roadside assistance for the Evora.

The R8’s corrosion warranty is 4 years longer than the Evora’s (12 vs. 8 years).

There are almost 8 times as many Audi dealers as there are Lotus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the R8’s warranty.

Engine

The R8 RWD Performance’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10 produces 146 more horsepower (562 vs. 416) and 89 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 317) than the Evora GT’s standard 3.5 supercharged V6. The R8 RWD Performance’s 5.2 DOHC V10 produces 146 more horsepower (562 vs. 416) and 74 lbs.-ft. more torque (406 vs. 332) than the Evora GT’s optional 3.5 supercharged V6. The R8 Quattro Performance’s standard 5.2 DOHC V10 produces 186 more horsepower (602 vs. 416) and 81 lbs.-ft. more torque (413 vs. 332) than the Evora GT’s optional 3.5 supercharged V6.

Fuel Economy and Range

In heavy traffic or at stop lights the R8’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The Evora doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The R8 Coupe’s standard fuel tank has 3.8 gallons more fuel capacity than the Evora (19.3 vs. 15.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The R8 Spyder’s standard fuel tank has 5.6 gallons more fuel capacity than the Evora (21.1 vs. 15.5 gallons).

The R8 has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The Evora doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

Transmission and Drivetrain

The Audi R8 comes standard with an automatic transmission, for driver comfort, especially in the city. Automatic costs extra on the Evora.

The R8 offers a standard sequential manual gearbox (SMG). With no clutch pedal to worry about and a fully automatic mode, an SMG is much more efficient than a conventional automatic but just as easy to drive. The Evora doesn’t offer an SMG.

To facilitate fast shifting and allow the driver to focus on the road, the R8 has a standard up-shift light to indicate when the engine is approaching redline. The Evora doesn’t offer an up-shift light.

All wheel drive, available in the R8, provides the best traction for acceleration in wet, dry, and icy conditions. In corners, all wheel drive allows both outside wheels to provide power, balancing the car. This allows for better handling. The Lotus Evora is not available with all wheel drive.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the R8 CCB’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Evora:

	R8 CCB	Evora
Front Rotors	15 inches	14.6 inches
Rear Rotors	14 inches	13.8 inches

The R8 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The Evora doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

Tires and Wheels

For better traction and acceleration, the R8 has larger rear tires than the Evora (305/30R20 vs. 295/30R20).

The R8’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 30 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Evora’s standard 35 series front tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the R8 has standard 20-inch wheels. Only 19-inch front wheels are available on the Evora.

Suspension and Handling

The R8 has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Evora doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the R8’s wheelbase is 2.9 inches longer than on the Evora (104.3 inches vs. 101.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the R8 is 3.2 inches wider in the front and 1 inch wider in the rear than on the Evora.

Servicing Ease

The engine in the R8 is mounted longitudinally (North-South), instead of sideways, as in the Evora. This makes it easier to service and maintain, because there are no rear spark plugs and the accessory belts are in front.

Ergonomics

When different drivers share the R8, the memory system makes it convenient. Each keyless remote activates different, customized memories for the driver’s seat position, suspension setting, power steering assist and climate settings. The Evora doesn’t offer a memory system.

The R8’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Evora has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The R8’s front power windows open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Evora’s power window switches have to be held the entire time to open or close them.

If the windows are left open on the R8 the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from a distance using the keyless remote. The driver of the Evora can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The R8’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Evora’s manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The R8 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic headlights.

While driving with high beams on, sensitive light sensors standard on the R8 detect other vehicles which could be blinded and automatically switch to low beams. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic dimming high beams.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the R8 has standard cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Evora doesn’t offer cornering lights.

The R8’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Evora’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

When the R8 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Evora’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.

The R8’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Evora doesn’t offer the luxury of automatic dimming mirrors.

The R8’s standard automatic temperature control maintains the temperature you set, automatically controlling fan speed, vents and temperature to maintain a consistent, comfortable environment. The Evora doesn’t offer automatic air conditioning.

To help keep the driver’s hands on the wheel, the R8 has standard steering wheel controls for the radio. The Evora doesn’t offer steering wheel audio controls.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Audi R8 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Evora doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Audi R8 comes in coupe and convertible bodystyles; the Lotus Evora isn’t available as a convertible.

Recommendations

The Audi R8 outsold the Lotus Evora by almost three to one during the 2021 model year.

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