Born on the observe and constructed for the street, the R8 is extra than simply an Audi manufacturing mannequin; it’s a highly effective legend that made its debut 15 years in the past. With a powerful racing heritage and 50 p.c shared elements with the R8 GT3 LMS race automobile, the Audi R8 Coupe is actually a thoroughbred.
Throughout Monterey Automotive Week, every R8 will showcase its motorsports legacy and distinctive persona with a particular particular person automobile wrap. Crafted by Frank Lamberty, the outside designer of the first-generation Audi R8, these wraps rejoice the R8’s essence of being born on the observe whereas acknowledging its prowess on the street. Beginning as an strange street automobile on the entrance and transitioning into designs impressed by R8 GT3 race automobile liveries, the wraps are a creative tribute. As an homage to the R8’s final laps at Laguna Seca, every wrap additionally encompasses a line drawing of the famend street course on the roof.
To proceed its wealthy custom of thrilling automotive lovers, Audi might be current on the famend Monterey Automotive Week. At Legends of the Autobahn on Thursday, Aug. 17, Audi will showcase the previous and reveal the long run, displaying two R8 V10 efficiency Coupes, together with an RWD mannequin, alongside the spectacular Audi e-Tron lineup. Moreover, the R8s might be a part of the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca on Saturday, Aug. 19, the place visitors can witness the enduring automobile taking its last laps across the observe, guided by the legendary nine-time Le Mans winner, Tom Kristensen, in an Audi RS e-tron GT tempo automobile. Don’t miss the possibility to satisfy the good thoughts behind the R8’s design, Frank Lamberty, at each occasions.
Motorsport is deeply ingrained within the Audi DNA, and the R8 embodies this connection, boasting the identical naturally aspirated V10 engine discovered within the R8 LMS race automobile. On the subject of racing, no different Audi mannequin shares a more in-depth bond. The upcoming 2023 R8 V10 efficiency mannequin, outfitted with a 5.2-liter FSI V10 engine, harnesses an astonishing 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque (or 532 horsepower and 398 lb-ft for the RWD variant). With every technology, the R8 brings racetrack experience and Audi endurance racing legacy to the street.
Wanting ahead, Audi is able to embrace a brand new period of motorsport because it gears up for Components 1. The forthcoming laws beginning in 2026 will open doorways for higher sustainability and electrification on this thrilling racing self-discipline. Keep tuned as Audi takes on this new problem.