SPIED ON THE STREET: It's HERE! The All-New Audi R8 Is Spotted On U.S. Soil For The FIRST Time

Since its debut, the all-new Audi R8 has been essentially rolling around with a target on its back. Unfortunately for the second-gen R8, the first-gen was SO staggering that it has massive shoes to fill.

We're pretty sure Audi's 5.2-liter V10 good for over 600 horsepower will help convince some apprehensive folks, but perhaps we have something that may also help.

Thanks to a friend of AutoSpies, we've got exclusive images of one of the first second-gen R8s roaming about northern New Jersey. Seems like a weird locale for this to happen, right? Well, no, actually. Let me explain.

Nearby this location, Volkswagen Auto Group (VWAG) has a technical center/training facility where it brings in its all-new products and allows technicians to come in and work on the vehicles. At least that's what I've been told.

In convoy with the R8 was an all-new Audi TT. The R8 is clearly sporting a black paint job with silver-painted blades.

So, what do you make of the second-gen R8 now that we're seeing it on the road? Is it a STUD or a DUD?

MDarringer - 10/16/2015 9:55:30 PM

-1 Boost

How many people vomited?

Sciros - 10/16/2015 11:14:22 PM

+4 Boost

That is truly terrible looking for the price. That broken-up side panel is SUCH a bad idea.

cidflekken - 10/16/2015 11:39:07 PM

+4 Boost

Car like this should look special. This does not look special. There is not much distinction between its front end and the front end of the TT next to it. It's too bad.

pcar4evr - 10/17/2015 2:25:57 AM

+3 Boost

I've owned 3 R8's. I hate that they have made the R8 and the TT look so similar. Not sure whether they thought this would sell more TT's, but it's going to have the effect of selling less R8's. The rear end treatment is particularly bad on the gen 2 R8. OTOH, owners will probably be very happy with the improved performance, but is that enough to compensate for the uninspired, homogenized styling in a car at the 200k price point. Not this owner - I'm out.

MDarringer - 10/17/2015 12:36:34 PM

-2 Boost

The problem with the R8 and the TT is that neither of them really sell well enough to be relevant or significant to contribute to Audi's image.

Socalcarnut - 10/18/2015 1:10:36 PM

+4 Boost

uh, sales volume or even profitability is not the point of a halo car.

Dexter1 - 10/18/2015 11:27:44 AM

0 Boost

Where's the R8?

supermoto - 10/19/2015 10:58:10 PM

+1 Boost

The side blades are just terrible. This car looks dated already.