Exterior design

A highly advanced passenger cell, strongly accentuated wheel wells, a wheelbase of 2.65 meters (8.7 ft) and a long rear – no other production vehicle from Audi is closer to a racing car in both concept and appearance than the 4.43-meter (14.5 ft) new R8. The designers further sharpened the striking exterior as part of the revision.

Horizontal lines make the front of the high-performance sports car appear extremely wide. The Singleframe radiator grille with its honeycomb structure insert is even broader and flatter, and the chrome frame was omitted. The large air inlets, which are divided into two sections by the vertical winglets, are located above the widened front splitter. Flat slits in the hood are reminiscent of the Audi Sport quattro brand icon. LED headlights with 37 light-emitting diodes each are the standard and partially dimmed. The Audi laser light is available as an option; it doubles the range of the high beam lights and a blue LED makes it visible from the outside. The laser light is combined with the front dynamic turn signals.

The side view of the new Audi R8 appears taut and concentrated, and sharp lines delineate athletically curved surfaces. The contours above the wheels reference the quattro drive system. The shoulder line connects the wheels with one another; on the Coupé, it divides the sideblade into two visual elements – an upper and a lower half. If the customer so desires, the blades can bear a logo of their choice. The top layer of the material is roughened slightly, which gives it a special matte effect. The side trims form a visual continuation of the front splitter and make the R8 appear even more flat and sporty. The air filter is situated in the engine compartment under a new three-part cover, which is available in a choice of plastic or carbon fiber.

The soft top of the Audi R8 Spyder is integrated perfectly into the design line; it flows into two fins that tension the material. Weighing just 44 kilograms (97 lb), it contributes to the vehicle’s low center of gravity. An electro-hydraulic drive opens and closes the soft top in 20 seconds at speeds up to 50 km/h (31.1 mph). When it opens, it folds into a Z-shape on a flat shelf with a covering flap made of CFRP, which is located above the engine. The rear window is sunk into the CFRP bulkhead separately from the soft top and can be retracted and extended electrically. Two strong steel sections pretensioned by steel springs serve as roll-over protection.

Horizontal lines also dominate the rear end of the new Audi R8. The honeycomb-structured air inlet grille of the engine compartment now extends across the entire width. The diffuser with its striking ribs is drawn up higher. It frames the new elliptical tailpipes of the exhaust system. These come in different designs – chrome-plated on the R8 V10 quattro as standard or in gloss black on the R8 V10 performance quattro.

Each rear light integrates 118 LEDs that create homogeneous light together. The dynamic rear turn signal lights are a standard feature. The rear spoiler of the R8 Coupé V10 quattro extends electrically at a speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph). The R8 Coupé V10 performance quattro has a large fixed blade made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The R8 Spyder V10 performance quattro has a fixed rear spoiler also made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP).

Individuality is a characteristic feature of the Audi R8; its paint range includes eleven colors, including the new metallic colors Kemora gray and Ascari blue. The latter is reserved exclusively for the R8 Coupé V10 performance quattro. The Audi exclusive program allows customers to have any paint colors blended according to their wishes. There are five variants and the customized paint finish to choose from for the sideblades, and there are three colors for the fabric top of the Spyder.

Depending on the engine variant, customers can choose between three exterior packages. They accentuate the front splitter, the sill trims, the sideblades and the diffuser. Standard specification for the R8 V10 quattro with 419 kW (570 metric horsepower) is high-gloss black; the R8 V10 performance quattro with 456 kW (620 metric horsepower) comes off the assembly line with a matte titanium look. The high-gloss carbon package is available for both engine variants. The Audi rings and badges on the exterior can be painted in high-gloss black upon request; on the Spyder, the windshield frame and the air outlets on the soft top compartment cover are also painted in this color.

All terms marked in the text are explained in detail in the technology lexicon at www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/technology-lexicon.

The equipment, data and prices specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany. Subject to change without notice; errors and omissions excepted.