Audi R8 Coupe Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place (2024)

By Cobus F. Potgieter

Audi’s R8 supercar has always been a usable everyday supercar with stunning looks and superb performance from emotive naturally aspirated engines.

Quick Links

  • 2020-2023 Audi R8 Coupe 2nd Gen (4S) Facelift
  • 2017-2018 Audi R8 Coupe 2nd Gen (4S)
  • 2014-2015 Audi R8 Coupe 1st Gen (42) Facelift
  • 2008-2012 Audi R8 Coupe 1st Gen (42)

The first of the Audi R8 Coupe generations was launched in the US in 2007 and carried the Type 42 internal code, closely approximating the 2003 Audi Le Mans quattro concept car. It had a lot in common with the first-generation Lamborghini Gallardo with which it shared a platform, and which had been on sale for couple of years at that stage. It was a more sensibly priced supercar that cost less than the Gallardo and had a less powerful V8 engine option, though a 5.2L V10 engine borrowed from Lamborghini would appear two years later. After being absent for one model year, changes to the Audi R8 Coupe when it returned for MY 2014 included a facelift and some feature upgrades. The R8’s engines were high-revving naturally aspirated units for its entire existence. The second-gen car continued where the old one had left off, using the Lamborghini Huracan as a template until it was finally discontinued in 2024.

2020-2023 Audi R8 Coupe 2nd Gen (4S) Facelift

The R8 skipped another model year before returning as a 2020 model with a refreshed exterior, a 5.2L V10 with either 562 or 602 hp, and no RWD option anymore, though it would rejoin the lineup just a year later, mated to a 532-hp version of the V10 and replacing the old 562-hp quattro model. For MY2022, the RWD model was dialed back up to 562 hp. MY2023 saw the addition of a RWD R8 GT with the 602-hp engine.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

Rear-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

2023 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2022 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2021 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2020 Audi R8 Coupe Review

TRIM

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

DRIVETRAIN

4S 5.2 V10 RWD

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

RWD

4S 5.2 V10 performance RWD

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

RWD

4S 5.2 V10 quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

AWD

4S 5.2 V10 performance quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

AWD

4S 5.2 V10 GT

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

2017-2018 Audi R8 Coupe 2nd Gen (4S)

After skipping another one of its model years, a redesign of the Audi R8 Coupe arrived as a 2017 model, this time based on the Lamborghini Huracan. The V8 engine and manual transmission were now gone, with a 5.2L V10 with either 540 or 610 hp doing duty, allied to quattro AWD and the carry-over seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. MY2018 sees the arrival of the first RWD derivative across R8 generations.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

Rear-Wheel Drive

All-Wheel Drive

Second Generation R8 Coupe Production Years:

2018 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2017 Audi R8 Coupe Review

TRIM

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

DRIVETRAIN

4S 5.2 V10 RWD

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

RWD

4S 5.2 V10 quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

AWD

4S 5.2 V10 plus quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

AWD

2014-2015 Audi R8 Coupe 1st Gen (42) Facelift

After a one-year absence, the R8 returned for MY2014 with a mild facelift, weighing less, and with a new seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission replacing the previous jerky single-clutch automated manual. The first-gen car bows out with a limited-edition 570-hp V10 Competition Coupe made available for MY2015.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

4.2L V8 Gas

6-Speed Manual

All-Wheel Drive

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

First Generation R8 Coupe Production Years:

2015 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2014 Audi R8 Coupe Review

TRIM

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

DRIVETRAIN

42 V8 quattro

4.2L V8 Gas

6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic

AWD

42 5.2 V10 quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic

AWD

42 5.2 V10 plus quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

6-Speed Manual 7-Speed Automatic

AWD

42 5.2 V10 competition quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

7-Speed Automatic

AWD

2008-2012 Audi R8 Coupe 1st Gen (42)

For the 2008-2012 model years, the Audi R8 Coupe was only offered with a 420-hp 4.2L V8 engine, quattro AWD, and a choice of six-speed transmissions - a manual or a single-clutch automated manual. For MY2010, a 525-hp 5.2L V10 with the same transmissions joined the lineup and the next year, the V7 gets 10 hp more power.

Engine

Transmission

Drivetrain

5.2L V10 Gas

6-Speed Automatic

All-Wheel Drive

4.2L V8 Gas

6-Speed Manual

First Generation R8 Coupe Production Years:

2012 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2011 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2010 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2009 Audi R8 Coupe Review

2008 Audi R8 Coupe Review

TRIM

ENGINE

TRANSMISSION

DRIVETRAIN

42 5.2 V10 quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

6-Speed Automatic 6-Speed Manual

AWD

42 V8 quattro

4.2L V8 Gas

6-Speed Automatic 6-Speed Manual

AWD

42 5.2 V10 GT quattro

5.2L V10 Gas

6-Speed Automatic

AWD

Audi R8 Coupe Generations: Everything You Need To Know In One Place (2024)

FAQs

What is the best year of Audi R8 to buy? ›

The Audi R8 is an excellent vehicle if you want a reliable, fast car. We recommend the 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2018, or 2019 selection for the best results.

How many generations of Audi R8 are there? ›

The Audi R8 is a 2-seater supercar which shares a common engine with the powerful Lamborghini Huracan and uses Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system. Let's go through the Audi R8 history, the most famous super car series and how it evolved over its two generations and several facelifts.

What are all details about Audi R8? ›

The Audi R8 has 1 Petrol Engine on offer. The Petrol engine is 5204 cc . It is available with Automatic transmission. Depending upon the variant and fuel type the R8 has a mileage of 5.71 kmpl & Ground clearance of R8 is 110 mm.

What are the different levels of Audi R8? ›

The 2023 Audi R8 comes in 2 different trims, ranging from the V10 Performance with a base MSRP of $213,295.00 to the GT with a base MSRP of $252,695.00.

What is the best Audi R8 version? ›

We think the best choice of R8 is the entry-level V10 Performance RWD. It has plenty of power, is great to drive and comes with lots of standard equipment, but keeps the price tag down.

What is the fastest R8 version? ›

Gallery: 2023 Audi R8 V10 GT RWD: First Drive

The R8 had little trouble reaching its maximum velocity with the road cleared, and in one attempt, it topped out at 210 mph (338 kph). This will be the last model year for the supercar, and Audi is saying goodbye with the limited-production 2023 R8 GT RWD.

Is Audi R8 collectible? ›

Right now, the R8s are affordable cars, but their value is on the rise, with manual models commanding a hefty premium over automatics. That being said, a wise investor would concentrate on the first-gen model (2007 to 2015) with a 5.2-liter V10 engine coupled with a 6-speed manual.

Will the Audi R8 be a future classic? ›

“I'd anticipate that over time the purity and clarity of the original vision and the sweetness of the driving experience will become ever more highly coveted as we move into an era of electrified and increasingly automated transport,” adds Andrew Frankel.As the R in R8 starts to stand for 'relic' let's take a look back ...

What year did the R8 get dual-clutch? ›

Transmissions
ModelsTypes
R8 Coupé 4.2 FSI quattro6-speed manual, 6-speed R Tronic automated manual (2008–2012), 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic (2012–2015)
R8 Spyder 4.2 FSI quattro6-speed manual, 6-speed R Tronic automated manual (2008–2012), 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic (2012–2015)
9 more rows

What are the unique features of the Audi R8? ›

The 2022 Audi R8 5.2 V10 Performance is a powerhouse of engineering. With a 5.2-liter V10 engine, 7-speed automatic transmission, and a weight reduction from previous models, the Audi R8 V10 can reach 0-60 in a mere 3.4 seconds. This engine also produces an impressive 64,000 rpm and 565 Newton meters of torque.

What does the R in R8 stand for? ›

R Models - R stands for roadster, as in the Audi R8 performance sports car. These models are designed with more of a race car over-all feel and have the power to prove it.

Is Audi R8 good for daily drive? ›

The Audi R8 is a phenomenal daily driver. With my creature comforts restored, I felt right at home driving a supercar. The suspension was smooth, eating up all the little annoyances that had formed in the concrete highway over the years. When the bumps were bigger, they were much less jarring than what I was used to.

What is the slowest Audi R8? ›

New Audi ad campaign took us all by surprise.

As the editor of a web site devoted to all things car-related, an e-mail with the subject heading, "THE AUDI R8: 'THE SLOWEST CAR WE'VE EVER BUILT! '" will certainly catch you off guard. After all, the car goes 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds.

What year is the Audi R8 most reliable? ›

In terms of market stability, your best bet is the 2014-2015 Audi R8 with the S-Tronic transmission. The dual clutch S-Tronic transmission has been proven to be very reliable, and while not as fun as a true manual transmission, has zero of the negatives typically found in the older R-Tronic transmission.

Which is the top model of Audi R8? ›

Audi R8 5.2 V10 Plus Summary

Audi R8 5.2 V10 Plus is the top model in the R8 lineup and the price of R8 top model is Rs. 2.72 Crore.

How many miles can an R8 last? ›

A typical Audi R8 will have a lifespan of 150,000-200,000 miles. For this vehicle, the high mileage point is around 150,000 miles and good mileage is at 125,000. Always keep an eye out for trouble and be ready to act for the sake of longevity.

How reliable is R8? ›

The R8's minimal approach to changes means that this model doesn't have a high rate of problems or problem years either one. Thankfully, that also means that any new Audi R8 models that are released will probably be just as consistent, durable, and high performance as previous years.

References

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