Audi · 2006–2015

Audi R8 42

The Audi R8 (Type 42) is the first generation of the R8 sports car developed and manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Audi. Conceived in 2003 in concept form, the R8 was put into production in June 2006. The Type 42 is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo and shares its chassis and engine. Audi's parent company Volkswagen Group owns Lamborghini as well and components of both of the cars were shared mainly to save development costs. Production of the Type 42 ended in August 2015, following the introduction of the Type 4S at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show which was based on an entirely new platform.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Successor: Audi R8 4S

All Audi R8 42 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

Conception and development

The Audi R8 was first conceived as the Audi LeMans Quattro concept car which was presented to the public at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Designed by Frank Lamberty, the car featured many unique features such as a Jet Blue exterior colour, the front curve of the front wings shared with the TT along with Nuvolari quattro GT, 20-inch wheels, a twin-turbocharged FSI V10 engine with a rated power output of 610 PS (449 kW; 602 hp) and 750 N⋅m (553.17 lb⋅ft), a single-frame radiator grille, aluminium sports suspension with magnetic ride shock absorbers and dark interior colours. The body of the car was made of aluminium and carbon fibre in order to keep the weight low. Another unique feature of the car were its full LED headlamps. The R8 development program began in 2004 with Frank Lamberty's design being approved and frozen for production. In 2005, Audi announced that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007. Production body prototypes began field testing in January 2006 and the car was introduced to the public at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. In 2007, Audi was the first manufacturer to mass produce headlights that solely used LEDs, which were used in the Audi R8.

Road models

=== R8 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro (2006–2012) === The Audi R8 was initially equipped with a V8 engine. Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy 32-valve (four valves per cylinder) petrol engine, utilising Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI), and has a displacement of 4,163 cc (4.2 L). It develops a motive power output of 420 PS (309 kW; 414 hp) (Directive 80/1269/EEC), and generates 430 N⋅m (317 lbf⋅ft) of torque, on 98 RON 'Super Unleaded' petrol. It is basically the same engine used in the B7 RS 4, but is modified to use a dry sump lubrication system. It uses two chain-driven double overhead camshafts (DOHC) per cylinder bank, and utilises variable valve timing for both inlet and exhaust camshafts. The 4 wheel drive system is biased towards the rear; it can send up to 70% of its power to the rear wheels and 30% to the front. According to Road & Track the 4.2-liter V-8 R8 did a zero to 60 mph sprint in 4.0 seconds in the manual version while the automated manual version did it in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 301 km/h (187 mph). Both gearboxes were built by Graziano Trasmissioni. R8 Coupé 5.2 FSI quattro (2009–2012). Audi AG unveiled the Audi R8 V10 on December 8, 2008. It uses an FSI V10 engine, based on the unit in the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 (which in turn was based on the 5.2 FSI V10 as used in the C6 S6 and D3 S8), but is re-tuned to have a power output of 525 PS (386 kW; 518 hp), and 530 N⋅m (391 lbf⋅ft) of torque. Compared to the V8 variant, the R8 V10's performance numbers are enhanced. Audi states the new 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) acceleration time as 3.9 seconds, 97 to 200 km/h (60 to 124 mph) in 8.1 seconds, and a top speed of 316 km/h (196 mph). Other changes to the V10 version of the R8 include some aesthetic differences: such as all-LED headlights (a wo

Race models

=== R8 LMS (2009–2012) === For 2009, Audi announced the production of an R8 LMS racing car, designed for the GT3 rules in the FIA GT3 European Championship and various national racing series. Known within Audi Sport as the 'R16', the R8 LMS features a 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) V10 engine. Because the GT3 regulations prohibit the use of four-wheel drive, Audi had to drop its 'trademark' quattro four-wheel drive system, and the R8 LMS was thus only available with the typical rear-wheel drive setup. The torque is transmitted via a newly developed six-speed sequential race oriented gearbox. The car was jointly manufactured by Audi Sport, quattro GmbH, and Audi Hungaria Motor Kft. (Győr). The first test races in various European racing series was scheduled for the 2009 season. Delivery to the customers was planned from the Autumn of 2010. R8 LMS Evolution (2010). Changes to the 2010 R8 LMS include the improvement of the engine cooling system capacity, suspension revisions, a race-optimised electronics and exhaust systems, and a 6-speed transmission that can be inspected through an opening in the housing without the need to dismantle the entire assembly. Previous variants could be upgraded via an update kit. The first deliveries of the car were made to the American-owned United Autosports team from Yorkshire in England. R8 LMS ultra (2012–2015). Unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the R8 LMS ultra is a modified version of the Audi R8 LMS with CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic) doors with high-energy absorbing new crash foams, new PS1 safety seat developed by Audi, updated transmission providing additional reserves on long-distance runs, increased power to 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) (depending on restrictor regulations) in the Audi CJJ V10 with higher torque at lower engin

Special models

=== Audi R8 V12 TDI concept (2008) === The R8 V12 TDI (later renamed the R8 TDI Le Mans) is a concept car based on the R8 V8 coupé with a 5,934 cc (5.934 L; 362.1 cu in) twin-turbocharged V12 Diesel engine rated at 500 PS (368 kW; 493 hp) and 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft) of torque at 1,750–3,000 rpm with Euro 6 emissions standard compliance via oxidizing catalyst and Diesel particulate filter, matt Grace Silver and brilliant red metallic body colours, 6-speed manual transmission with small-diameter double-plate clutch and quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a ratio of 40:60 front and rear. The car also had many unique body features such as rhombus-pattern cover on the air inlets and outlets, continuous aluminum lip spoiler, glass roof with two large transparent sections, glazed engine compartment behind the seats, NACA duct in the middle of the roof for cooling of the bigger V12 engine, optional carbon fibre lining of the engine compartment, LED headlights with color temperature of 6,000 kelvin, 365 mm (14.37 in) three-spoke flat bottom diecast magnesium core sports steering wheel upholstered in Valcona leather, aluminum application on the center console, 24-piston (total) brake calipers (red six-piston monobloc aluminum front calipers, fixed six-piston rear calipers) and ventilated carbon fibre reinforced silicon carbide ceramic brake discs. The R8 TDI LeMans was unveiled first at the Detroit Auto Show in 2008 and then at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The development of the R8 TDI was cancelled, Audi cited the reason that the cost of re-engineering of the petrol R8 to accommodate the bigger twin-turbocharged diesel engine was simply too great, and that it would be unable to recoup its investment through sales alone. R8 e-tron. ==== e-tron concept (2009) ==== The all

Facelift (Autumn 2012)

Changes for the facelift models include: New single-frame grille with the beveled upper corners is painted high-gloss black, with horizontal chrome inserts adorning the struts on the V10 variants. New bumper with the air inlets bearing three crossbars each (optional front splitter in carbon fiber reinforced plastic). LED headlights are now standard on all variants of the Audi R8. Vent louvers next to the rear window having a matte black look on the R8 V10 Coupé (aluminum on the R8 V8 Coupé). 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission replaced the R-Tronic automated manual transmission (S-Tronic later became standard on all V10 powered models). Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping standard on the R8 V10 and optional for the V8 variants; offering a normal mode and a sports mode. V8 engine models having the standard wheel dimensions of 8.5 J x 18 at the front and 10.5 J x 18 at the rear, with tire sizes 235/40 and 285/35. V10 models having 19-inch wheels of widths 8.5 and 11 inches; tyres having the sizes of 235/35 and 295/30 respectively. Electronically adjustable sports seats optional on the V8 models and standard on the V10 models (R8 Spyder seats include a special pigmentation reducing heating from direct sunlight). Centre console and the handbrake lever covered with leather upholstery, adorned by delicate seams; in the V10 models the molding around the standard navigation system plus is also leather-covered. R8 V10 and the R8 V10 plus come with the navigation system plus and the Bang & Olufsen Sound System as standard on-board features. The R8 V10 plus (introduced in 2012 and available only as a coupé) includes: Front splitter in carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). Housings of the outside mirrors and the side blades (lateral air inlets) made from CFRP. Standard ven

Specifications

=== Road models === Race models. === Transmissions === The transmission options are either a Lamborghini-sourced six-speed manual gearbox with metal gate for the shift lever, or an Audi-developed S or R Tronic gearbox—which is an automated manual, without a traditional clutch pedal, and with an automatic gear shifting mode. Equipment. The R8 also features a distinctive curved bar of LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) mounted inside the xenon HID headlamp casings. The R8, like most mid- or rear-engine designed sports cars, utilises wider wheels and tyres on its rear axle. For the 18-inch alloy wheels (on standard summer tyres), there is just one range of sizes—the fronts are sized at 8.5J×18H2 ET42, whilst the rears are two inches wider at 10.5Jx18H2 ET50. With the 19-inch wheels (standard fit in most markets), the theme continues—the fronts are all 8.5J×19H2 ET42, and the rears are 11.0Jx19H2 ET50. 19-inch wheels for the winter tyre package have a ½" narrower rear compared to the summer tyre wheel package. There is also a corresponding difference in tyre sizes—18's are 235/40 ZR18 95Y XL (eXtra Load) in front and 285/35 ZR18 101Y XL at the rear. For the 19-inch tyres, two different options are available—all fronts are 235/35 ZR19 91Y, and the rears are either 295/30 ZR19 100Y XL or 305/30 ZR19 102Y XL. Standard factory supplied tyre makes offered are either Continental SportContact3 or Pirelli P-Zero Rosso. Other technical details. As Volkswagen Group owns both Audi and Lamborghini (Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A.), some of the R8 is shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, including some of the chassis and floorpan, door handle mechanisms, transmissions, and the revised V10 engine. The base R8 is made distinct by its German designed exterior styling, cabin, smaller V8 engine

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

Manufacturer

Audi Sport GmbH, (subsidiary of Audi AG)

name

Audi R8 (Type 42)

Class

Sports car (S)

Body style

2-door coupé, 2-door convertible (spyder)

Production

June 2006 – August 2015

Model years

2007–2015

Assembly

Germany: Neckarsulm (2006–2015); Heilbronn (Audi Böllinger Höfe: 2014–2015)

Designer

Walter de Silva, Frank Lamberty (2004)

Related

Audi RSQ (Concept), Audi Le Mans quattro (Concept), Audi R8 TDI Le Mans (Concept), Lamborghini Gallardo

Engine

4.2 L FSI DOHC V8, 5.2 L FSI DOHC V10

Transmission

6-speed Graziano manual, 6-speed Graziano R-Tronic single-clutch automated manual, 7-speed DL800 S-Tronic dual-clutch

Wheelbase

2650 mm

Length

V8 Coupé: 4431 mm, V10 Coupé: 4435 mm, V10 Spyder: 4434 mm

Width

V8 Coupé & V10 Spyder: 1904 mm, V10 Coupé: 1930 mm

Height

V8 Coupé: 1249 mm, V10 Coupé: 1252 mm, V10 Spyder: 1244 mm

Kerb weight

V8 Coupé: 1560 -, V10 Coupé: 1620 -, V10 Spyder: 1720 -

sp

UK

Successor

Audi R8 (Type 4S)

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23737533CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(Type_42)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1367623535 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Audi_R8-08.jpgCC BY 2.5 · Photo: Thhe, edited by אx · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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