The current Audi R8 is a remarkably fast car thanks to a 5.2-liter V10 producing between 532 and 610 horsepower. The R8 is also lightning quick thanks to seven-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission. The dual-clutch is the only transmission option for the R8, but a manual transmission used to be available as well. Although it wasn't as fast, the R8's gated six-speed manual was both a work of art and a joy to row through the gears. Unfortunately, Audi no longer sells a car with a gated manual.
In fact, manual transmissions in general are dying out in favor of automatics. Certain manual supercars, particularly Ferrari models, have been skyrocketing in value. With gated manual supercars going up in value, you'd think most owners would park them in a garage with a car cover - but one Audi R8 owner is bucking that stereotype in a big way.
This 2015 Audi R8 is very special, because it is the last car to leave the factory with a manual gearbox. The V8 R8 is owned by Erik Dietz, who has a sizable following on Instagram. Dietz has teamed up with Michelin and Audi USA to do an incredible road trip called the #EuroR8trip. The car was shipped from California to southern Europe, and has completed over 8,700 miles to Sweden in just four weeks. Based on social media posts, the car currently has over 123,000 miles on the odometer. This is how supercars were meant to be driven - with a manual transmission over thousands of miles of beautiful European roads. Photo credit: Auditography
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