Audi · 2014–2024

Audi R8 4S

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.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Audi R8 42

All Audi R8 4S data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years →

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 540 PS (397 kW; 533 hp) V10 engine and the more powerful V10 Plus with a 610 PS (449 kW; 602 hp) 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 lim

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 30 PS (22 kW; 30 hp) for the base V10 quattro to 570 PS (562 hp; 419 kW) and the V10 performance quattro saw a power increase by 10 PS (7 kW; 10 hp), now up to 620 PS (612 hp; 456 kW). 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 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) 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 330 km/h (205 mph). 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 wil

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 462 PS (340 kW; 456 hp) and 919 N⋅m (678 lb⋅ft) of torque. The battery pack consisted of a 92 kWh T-shaped liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery. The e-tron could accelerate from 0–97 km/h (0–60 mph) in 3.9 seconds and could attain a top speed of 160 mph (250 km/h). The e-tron's electric range was 450 km (280 mi) as promised by Audi. The curb weight of the car amounted to 1,780 kg (3,924 lb). 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 c

Motorsport

=== R8 LMS (GT3) === The Audi R8 LMS is the racing version of the R8. Despite looking identical to a regular R8, the LMS shares very little with its road-going counterpart in terms of features and mechanics. A new race specification V10 engine develops a peak power output of 430 kW (577 hp; 585 PS) (engine code DAR). The removal of the standard all-wheel-drive system and the intelligent mix of materials such as aluminum in the Audi Space Frame (ASF), a structural CFRP component and the steel roll cage alone make the chassis about 30 kg (66 lb) lighter, now weighing 252 kg (556 lb). At the same time, the torsional stiffness of the stressed frame has increased by 39 percent. These weight-saving measures result in a weight of just 1,225 kg (2,701 lb). Aside from that, the car packs many safety features such as a modified spaceframe structure at the front and a carbon fibre crash element at the rear protect the driver in a crash, the special PS1 racing seat from the Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro which has been known to set the safety standards for LMP1 cars is used for additional safety and is connected directly to the chassis for increased stiffness. A quickly adjustable foot lever system and a height and length adjustable safety steering column allow versatile adjustment to various drivers. A rescue opening in the roof as used in DTM race touring cars is implemented in the R8 LMS GT3, a first for any GT3 car, after an accident, it allows the driver's helmet to be lifted in a way that avoids straining the spinal column. Although the combination of the materials in the R8 LMS is more complex, Audi has managed to integrate the manufacturing process for production and race cars even more closely than before. In a new manufacturing facility at the Bollinger Hofe industrial park in

Reception

The Type 4S received generally positive reviews from the motoring press. Australian automotive publication Car Advice praised its daily usability along with its modern design and technology but criticised the lack of a manual transmission and an affordable V8 model. British magazine Autocar tested the standard V10 FSI coupé and praised its naturally aspirated engine and agile handling. However, the publication favoured the high performance Plus variant more stating that the cost difference between the Plus and the standard model with options was simply too slim. The publication gave the verdict: "Audi sends its mid-engined flagship in search of supercar scalps, and largely succeeds - even if rivals like the Porsche 911 Turbo provide greater driving limits." US automotive magazine Car & Driver tested the V10 plus and praised the aggressive design language with less radical "sideblades" along with quick acceleration and the engine noise but criticised the unavailability of some features on the US market cars such as magnetorheological dampers and laser headlamps.

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)
Class: Sports car (S)
Body style: 2-door coupé, 2-door convertible (spyder)
name: Audi R8 (Type 4S)
Production: December 2014–2024
Model years: 2016–2024
Assembly: Germany: Heilbronn (Audi Böllinger Höfe)
Layout: Longitudinal, Mid-engine, all-wheel drive, Longitudinal, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive (standard models)
Engine: 5.2 L V10 FSI
Transmission: 7-speed DL800 S-Tronic dual clutch
Wheelbase: 2650 mm
Length: 4426 mm
Width: 1940 mm
Height: 1240 mm
Kerb weight: Coupé: 1695 kg, Spyder: 1795 kg, V10 Plus Coupé: 1645 kg, V10 Plus Spyder: 3737 lb, RWS: 1590 kg
Related: Lamborghini Huracán, Italdesign Zerouno, Ares Design Project1, Engler Superquad
Platform: Volkswagen Group Modular Sports System Platform
Predecessor: Audi R8 (Type 42)
Designer: Florian Liese (2013), Manu Müller (facelift, 2018)

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/Q25382191CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audi_R8_(Type_4S)CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375448510 · retrieved 2026-10-01
Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2015_Audi_R8_Coup%C3%A9_5.2_FSI_quattro_(19409896583).jpgCC BY 2.0 · Photo: Edvvc from London, UK · retrieved 2026-10-01
Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.audi.de/r8Link only; no content copied · 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.