The Audi R8 (Type 4S) is the second generation of the R8 sports car manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Audi. The Type 4S is based on the Lamborghini Huracán and shares its platform and engine. The Type 4S was introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and its production began in late 2014.

Development Development of the Type 4S began in 2013 and prototypes began testing in early-2014. The Type 4S is based on the Modular Sports System platform shared with the Lamborghini Huracán. The V10 engine used in the Huracàn was detuned for the base model while the power output of the engine remained the same as the Huracàn for the V10 plus model. Rumors for the V8 engine for the R8 were in circulation but those were proven wrong as the company stated that the V8 engine would be discontinued mainly because of emissions regulations. The Type 4S was introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The all-electric version called the e-Tron which was in development phase in the production life span of the Type 42 was also introduced at the same occasion and was now based on the Type 4S.

Road models R8 Coupé

The new R8 has two production variants, the base 5.2 FSI model with a V10 engine and the more powerful V10 Plus with a engine. The body is lighter and stiffer, due to the substitution of several large aluminium parts in the shell by carbon fibre. Extra electronics are incorporated in the chassis as compared to the first generation to improve handling. The ‘Virtual Cockpit’ first introduced in the TT was also made available. The all-wheel-drive system and the 7-speed S-Tronic transmission are standard with no manual transmission available. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system used on the R8 is slightly rear-biased with power delivery to the wheels variable. A water-cooled front differential and a passive limited-slip rear differential along with an electromechanical power steering contribute to the agile handling of the car. The variable magnetic-ride suspension is available as an option but is exclusive to the European markets.

The design reflects Audi's current design language implemented on all of its models, as an evolution of Frank Lamberty's original design of the first generation. The distinctive "side-blades" present behind the doors on the Type 42 have now been split into two and are now present on the rear side windows and below the beltline. The side blades can be optioned in body colour. Audi's trademark LED headlamps were standard on the car and the newly developed laser headlamps are available as an option in Europe only.

The R8 is available with 19-inch wheels as standard with 20-inch wheels available as an option. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also optional equipment.

In July 2020, Audi announced that it would be discontinuing the 5.2 FSI model in the United States. A special model called the limited edition having production limited to 25 Coupes and 5 Spyders was introduced. The limited-edition is available in three special colours namely Mugello Blue with Pastel silver interior, Avus Silver with black interior with silver stitching, and Sonoma Green with black interior and red stitching. All cars have diamond-stitched Alcantara headliners along with special 20-inch milled silver wheels.

R8 Spyder

Presented at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the R8 Spyder is the convertible variant of the new R8. Initially, it was only available with the standard V10 engine, which has a power output of , although a V10 Plus Spyder with the engine having a power output of was added to the range in mid-2017. The redesigned soft top of the Spyder is operable at speeds up to .

R8 RWS

Unveiled at the 2017 International Motor Show Germany, the R8 RWS (Rear Wheel Series) is the rear-wheel-drive variant of the Audi R8 limited to 999 units. It utilises the same V10 engine of the standard R8 V10. Because of the removal of the all-wheel-drive system, weight is reduced by at for the coupe. For Spyder, weight is reduced by at . Weight distribution are 40.6:59.4 for Coupé and 40.4:59.6 for Spyder. Visually, the R8 RWS is signified by a matte-black grille, matte-black front and rear airflow openings, and a gloss-black upper side blade. A red vinyl trim stripe that stretches from the front left to the right rear is optional. The quattro badge on the interior passenger dash is replaced by the RWS badge instead. Sports seats are standard, as are black 19-inch wheels wrapped in 35-series tyres.

Facelift

The R8 received a mid-cycle facelift in October 2018. The base V10 was renamed V10 quattro, while V10 plus was renamed V10 Performance quattro. Engine power increased by for the base V10 quattro to and the V10 performance quattro saw a power increase by , now up to . Other mechanical changes include gasoline particulate filter on all models, the choice of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, larger carbon-ceramic brakes, and a new steering rack system for a more direct response. A carbon fibre roll bar is also optional which decreases the weight by 2 kg.

Exterior changes included more angular and aggressive styling. The new front bumper of the car has a squared design and winglets on both sides to improve front downforce. The grille was enlarged and now stretched between the headlights. Above the grille, three small horizontal air intakes are present between the headlights for improved airflow harking back to the famous Audi Quattro. Side skirts finished in exposed carbon fibre now flank the sides of the car and at the rear, a single wide grille is now present beneath the taillights joined by an aggressive diffuser and two round dual exhaust tips in exposed and sculptured cut-outs.

The interior was carried over from the outgoing model with new trim options available.

Performance figures include a acceleration time of 3.5 seconds for the base model and 3.1 seconds for the V10 Performance quattro model. Top speed for the V10 Performance quattro is . The facelift model went on sale in Europe in early 2019.

Audi R8 RWD Audi announced on 19 November 2019 that the R8 V10 RWD models would become permanent in its lineup. Both R8 Spyder and Coupe models will sport the same and V10 FSI engine used in the limited edition RWS models. Comparing to RWS models, V10 RWD features more aggressive weight reductions. The Coupe is now less than its quattro counterpart at . The Spyder is now less than the quattro Spyder at . However, they are and heavier than the RWS Coupe and Spyder versions respectively. Both models feature a 40:60 weight distribution, similar to the RWS. Despite being a production model, some additional equipment and features are only available to V10 quattro models. The V10 RWD is visually similar to its quattro siblings. The quattro badge on the dashboard is replaced with an RWD badge.

On 7 October 2021, Audi introduced an uprated version for the V10 RWS, named V10 performance RWD. The new model features a slightly detuned engine from the V10 quattro model with the same power of , but with less torque at . In addition to a power increase, more performance and handling options from quattro models are made available to the RWD model. These include dynamic steering, carbon fibre stabilizers and ceramic disc brakes. The V10 performance RWD model will replace the less powerful V10 RWD as Audi's only rear-wheel drive R8 offering. The base V10 quattro is also replaced by this model.

R8 Coupe GT RWD Announced in October 2022, the R8 GT is a special edition limited to just 333 units that has been lightened and received performance upgrades for better handling and performance.

Special models R8 e-tron

The production version of the Audi R8 e-tron was introduced at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. The limited production electric sports car was available only in Europe. Fewer than 100 units were sold at the end-of-production run.

The R8 e-tron was fitted with two electric motors mounted on the rear wheels having a power output of and of torque. The battery pack consisted of a 92 kWh T-shaped liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. The e-tron could accelerate from in 3.9 seconds and could attain a top speed of . The e-tron's electric range was as promised by Audi. The curb weight of the car amounted to .

R8 Star of Lucis The Audi R8 Star of Lucis is a one-off special edition replica of the car used in the fantasy film Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV. Within the Final Fantasy XV universe, the car was developed as a collaboration between Audi and the Royal Art Society of Lucis as a coming-of-age present for Noctis Lucis Caelum, prince of the fictional Kingdom of Lucis. In 2016, Audi launched a raffle for the opportunity to buy the car, however, the car was also displayed and auctioned at the 2019 Tokyo Auto Salon. The car features custom rear spoiler, wheels, and various body panels decorated with symbols associated with the Kingdom of Lucis.

R8 Decennium

Introduced at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, the R8 Decennium (Latin for "Decade") is a special edition model celebrating ten years of the V10 model of the R8 sports car. The R8 Decennium is based on the R8 V10 performance quattro. Notable changes include 20-inch alloy wheels and engine cover in Bronze finish, aerodynamic elements finished in gloss black, specially developed matte Daytona Grey body colour, black Alcantara/leather interior upholstery with carbon fibre trim and diamond stitching and Decennium badging. The R8 Decennium is limited to 222 units worldwide (50 of which will be imported to the United States) and will only be offered in a coupé bodystyle.

R8 V10 Quattro Final Edition To commemorate the conclusion of the standard R8 V10 quattro model, the R8 V10 quattro limited-edition model was announced in July 2020 for the United States market. The model is limited to 30 units, with trim details such as 20-inch milled wheels in silver, carbon exterior lower trim, and alu-optic mirror caps. It also comes with features formerly reserved for the Performance model, such as a carbon fiber front sway bar, magnetic ride, variable ratio steering, and sport exhaust system. The Coupe is offered in Mugello Blue with Pastel Silver interior, Avus Silver with Black interior with red stitching, or Sonoma Green with Black interior with gray stitching, and the Spyder is offered in Mugello Blue with Pastel Silver interior.

R8 Panther Edition In December 2020, the R8 Panther Edition was announced to introduce the RWD model line in the United States market. Limited to 30 coupe units as the first of the RWD model's production, the R8 Panther Edition features Panther Black crystal effect paint, 20-inch matte black and red wheels, Audi exclusive black and Crimson red interior, and carbon fiber exterior accents.

Specifications

Pre-Facelift (MY 2015–2019) Models R8 Coupé V10 (2015–2018) R8 Spyder V10 (2015–2018) R8 Coupé V10 Plus (2015–2018)R8 Spyder V10 Plus (2017–2018) R8 V10 RWS R8 V10 Spyder RWS R8 LMS Engine Configuration, Displacement DOHC FSI V10 Power at rpm at 8,250 at 8,250 Torque at rpm at 6,500 at 6,500 at 6,500 CO2 emissions 272 g/km 277 g/km 287 g/km 292 g/km 283 g/km283 g/km (top closed) 286 g/km (top open) Performance 0 to (seconds) 3.53.63.23.33.73.83.0 Top speed Weight Curb weight

Facelift (MY 2019–2024) ModelsR8 Coupé V10 quattro (2019–2021)R8 Spyder V10 quattro (2019–2021)R8 Coupé V10 performance quattroR8 Spyder V10 performance quattroR8 Coupé V10 RWD (MY 2020–2021)R8 Spyder V10 RWD (MY 2020–2021)R8 Coupé V10 performance RWD (MY 2022–2024)R8 Spyder V10 performance RWD (MY 2022–2024) Engine Configuration, Displacement DOHC FSI V10Power at rpm at 8,000-8,200 at 8,000 at 8,000Torque at rpm at 6,200 at 6,600 at 6,500 at 6,400CO2 emissions293 g/km297 g/km297-299 g/km304-306 g/km293-294 g/km298-299 g/km294-295 g/km297-298 g/km Performance 0 to (seconds)3.43.53.13.23.73.83.73.8Top speed WeightCurb weight

Motorsport R8 LMS (GT3)