Audi R8
Audi introduced the R8 in 2006 as its flagship mid-engine supercar, drawing its name from the R8 Le Mans Prototype that dominated endurance racing in the early 2000s. Previewed by the 2003 Le Mans quattro concept, the first-generation model was built around an aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) and initially powered by a high-revving 4.2-liter V8, with a 5.2-liter V10 option added in 2009. The original design became instantly recognizable for its contrasting sideblades mounted behind the doors.
Across two generations, the R8 shared chassis architecture and powertrain hardware with Lamborghini's mid-engine supercars - the Gallardo and later the Huracán. The second generation, introduced in 2015, adopted an updated aluminum-and-carbon structure and relied solely on the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10, offered in both Quattro all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive layouts. Hand-assembled at Audi's Böllinger Höfe facility in Neckarsulm, production of the R8 concluded in early 2024.
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Key specifications
Differences between variants
| Specification | Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro | Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro | Audi R8 V10 Plus | Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD | Audi R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V8 | 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10 | 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10 | 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10 | 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10 |
| Power | 308.91 kW | 386.14 kW | 448.65 kW | 419.23 kW | 456.01 kW |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | All-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Multiple transmission options · 6 speeds | Multiple transmission options · 6 speeds | Dual-clutch · 7 speeds | Dual-clutch · 7 speeds | Dual-clutch · 7 speeds |
| Production period | 2007-2012 | 2009-2015 | 2015-2018 | 2019-2024 | 2023-2024 |
Generations and variants
Audi R8 - Type 42
Audi R8 4.2 FSI quattro
2007-2012- Body style
-
Coupe
- Engine
- 4.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V8
- Power
- 308.91 kW
- Drivetrain
-
All-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Multiple transmission options· 6 speeds6-speed manual or R tronic
Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro
2009-2015- Body style
-
Coupe
- Engine
- 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10
- Power
- 386.14 kW
- Drivetrain
-
All-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Multiple transmission options· 6 speeds6-speed manual or R tronic/S tronic
Audi R8 - Type 4S
Audi R8 V10 Plus
2015-2018- Body style
-
Coupe
- Engine
- 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10
- Power
- 448.65 kW
- Drivetrain
-
All-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Dual-clutch· 7 speeds
Audi R8 V10 Performance RWD
2019-2024- Body style
-
Coupe
- Engine
- 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10
- Power
- 419.23 kW
- Drivetrain
-
Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Dual-clutch· 7 speeds
Audi R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD
2023-2024- Body style
-
Coupe
- Engine
- 5.2 l · Naturally aspirated · V10
- Power
- 456.01 kW
- Drivetrain
-
Rear-wheel drive
- Transmission
-
Dual-clutch· 7 speeds
Facts
Audi quoted 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds for the R8 LMX, making it the brand's fastest production model at the time.
Audi described the 2014 R8 LMX as the first production car equipped with laser high-beam headlights.
The special 2014 R8 LMX was limited to 99 cars and produced 570 PS.
At Böllinger Höfe, R8 body construction and final assembly were combined under one roof in a facility tailored to small-series production.
From autumn 2014, the R8 was assembled at Audi Sport's specialist Böllinger Höfe facility near Neckarsulm.
Over eight years of first-generation production, Audi built just over 26,000 R8s.
Audi publicly unveiled the second-generation R8 at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show.
Audi presented the production R8 in 2006, bringing a mid-engined sports car into the brand's road-car range.
Alongside the road car, Audi Sport developed the R8 LMS as a customer-racing machine for private teams.
Audi stated that the second-generation R8's core technical basis was related to the architecture of the 2014 Lamborghini Huracán.