[Radius8]

Thanks for the pict. There are not a lot of details to be found online with these. I dug up this 360 video with Mr. von Moltke demonstrating the new R8+ at the track. You can pan around the cabin to get an idea of the seats and how he (being quite lean/thin and racer body frame) and fits in them.

 

[RXBG]

i can't direct link to it but go to the audi.co.uk website and pull up PDF of the R8 catalog. it has an awesome very detailed review of the seat there. it shows well that the black seats actually have subtle contrast stitching.

 

[Radius8]

Got it. Thanks RXBG.

Here is the page extracted from the catalog. Very nice and it retains the ability to fold the back rest for access to the rear deck like the standard seat.

 

[R8inLA]

Just found this thread about this bucket seat thing while building on audiusa.com. Totally dig it. And it's $5k cheaper. I slide around way too much in my current R8 seats. Anyone know any dealer has bucket seats in the showroom in SoCal? Pretty sure I want them but would love to test them out.

 

[thedragonseven]

I found the Recaro page on the “US Racing Shell Seats”, aka “UK Bucket Seats”.

https://www.recaro-automotive.com/u...us/original-equipment/products/audi-r8-v10-plus-2015/audi-r8-v10-plus-2015.html

Unfortunately, its not a wealth of information.

 

[Genesis7]

I don't track the car, bucket seats too hard and literally a pain in the ass after sitting for few hours, no thank you.

 

[Shadowman]

Not comfortable at all if driving regularly much less any distance. Add to this; limited adjustments.

 

[lmcgrath85]

I have just taken delivery of my 2016 sypder and don’t really like the bucket seats ( didn’t try them first!). Firstly is it possible to swap for the standard seats? Secondly- would anyone want to swap standard seats for my bucket seats!? They are in the light grey colour. Located in UK

 

[Shadowman]

I have just taken delivery of my 2016 sypder and don’t really like the bucket seats ( didn’t try them first!). Firstly is it possible to swap for the standard seats? Secondly- would anyone want to swap standard seats for my bucket seats!? They are in the light grey colour. Located in UK

Yes, mechanically they can easily be swapped however, I do not think the wiring harness needed for the standard seats is exposed. I suspect that you will have to pull back the carpet and locate it.

I agree that the bucket seats are terrible for driving any distance.

Enjoy your new car.

 

[Scotty Corse]

I have just taken delivery of my 2016 sypder and don’t really like the bucket seats ( didn’t try them first!). Firstly is it possible to swap for the standard seats? Secondly- would anyone want to swap standard seats for my bucket seats!? They are in the light grey colour. Located in UK

If they'd been black ......

 

[dave_uk]

Hi All,

I have just upgraded from gen 1 coupe to gen 2 Spyder, both have the buckets so thought I would give my feedback. After a 600 mile round trip dropping my old car off and collecting the new one, all I can say is the gen 2 buckets are more comfy than the gen 1 and I really don’t know what all the fuss is about! Driving position is awesome and I still have 2-3” of travel left in the rails if I needed if it. It took me nearly 6 hours driving home with only a 10 minute stop and no complaints from me. I am 95kg and 5’9”.

Also I am amazed how different the cars are, both are plus models with ceramics but in the gen 2 they are just no where near as grabby, very nice. Turn in also feels much sharper in the gen 2 which has dynamic stearing. Even the engine seems so different which is weird, gen 2 seems far more grunty, must be the sports exhaust / revised mapping / fuelling?

As for the updated electronics, wow

 

[Trev450]

Congrats on getting the new car and thanks for sharing your experience viz-a-viz to each one. Pop up some photos sometime.

 

[vndrsmth]

Was looking for some information on the bucket seats and this thread was the most useful by far.

I'm picking up a Gen 2 V10+ soon and as a track instructor was worried about the more commonly found in the US diamond seats versus the race/buckets (that are not really buckets) real-world reviews.

Based on the above, I'm limiting my search and will only buy a car that comes with the race seats. I can't stand holding myself in my seat by the steering wheel and dead pedal.

Thanks all

 

[adansirs6]

The no charge seats you're referring to are the standard sport seats with no contrast stitching. I just went on the UK configurator and to switch from the standard racing shell seats on a V10+ to the diamond stitched sport seats it's 3400 GBP. It adds the fine nappa leather package as well as contrast stitching package. Looks like you have more options in ordering seats than we do in the US.

I like the look of the racing shell seats and would have loved to not pay the extra money to get sport seats but I didn't want to live with completely manual seats and will be taking it on some longer trips so I wanted the added comfort of the sport seats. I also love the look of the diamond stitching!

I'm taking the plunge your way. Mine is coming with the buckets (i call them race seats or shells) can't wait. Won't get here till Dec or Jan, though!

The race seats offer a significant weight savings which translate into even better performance than if you had the diamond stitch comfort seats with power adjustments
The race seats also look way better.

All of the people I have talked to except one upgraded to the sport seats with diamond stitching over the racing shell seats. Most have said the racing shell seats are not super comfortable in normal use but are supportive if you plan on tracking the car on a regular basis. I opted for sport seats on my Plus and paid the $5500 up charge.

 

[Protegimus]

I have the bucket seats. I'm fortunate that I fit them perfectly, drove 1500km around Scotland in three days and they were spot on. Only improvement I could ask for is if they could be lowered further.
Test drove a non-plus, diamond stitching looks nice but I'm glad I didn't have to have the comfy sofas in my sports car

 

[911pdk]

Id rather be uncomfortable in the Shells than have to look at those drab "sports seats" specially with that god awful diamond stitching, its not the same with "car" looking seats in a supercar imo

 

[MAR8]

I track my car heavily with the normal sport seats. I don’t have the diamond stitching as it seemed to busy to me in the R8. I have it in our SQ5 and like it though. With the bolster adjustments in the hips and sides, and lowered rear with raised front, it does a decent job keeping me in place. Not like a race seat by any means but not horrible either.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[vndrsmth]

The sport seats adjustability is phenomenal and they may just be the most comfortable seats of any supercar I've ever driven.

However, bucket seats for me are a must-have. It may not be for all. Although those 10-20 track days a year may only be a small % of the time I'm actually driving the car, not having to keep myself in the seat with my left foot and white-knuckling the steering wheel make it a no brainer to go with the buckets.

Thankfully my wiry Irish build was also made for these. If you're too tall, wide, or just generally above average I don't think the buckets are what you're looking for. Ironically, a lot of other super cars don't have an option similar to the sports seats which just makes the R8 that much more daily driven friendly for many.

 

[Randy M]

6'0 and 210 and I barely fit in the LWB's of the GT3's. Anyone have experience with those and the race buckets in the R8? I definitely prefer the look of the race buckets over the diamond pattern sport seats that most R8's seem to be optioned with:

 

[Matts]