Audi's parent company Volkswagen Group owns Lamborghini as well and components of both of the cars were shared mainly to save development costs.

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.

Specifically, it is an all-aluminium alloy 32-valve (four valves per cylinder) petrol engine,[12] utilising Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI),[12] and has a displacement of 4,163 cc (4.2 L).

[12] Although it was rumoured by the automotive press since the announcement of the production variant of the R8 in 2006, it was only in August 2008 that spy shots of a convertible R8 "Spyder" from filming scenes of the movie Iron Man 2 were published online.

[20] Compared with the coupé model, the convertible had extra chassis support, a pair of roll-over safety bars, as well as minor changes such as the location of the fuel filler cap.

[29] 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 engine power to 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) (depending on restrictor regulations) with higher torque at lower engine speeds, a larger engine oil cooler and transmission fluid cooler, relocated steering hydraulics oil cooler to the vehicle's midsection, enlarged air vents, improved air flow to radiator and interior, front 18-inch wheels with Michelin 30-65/18 tyres, optimized brake cooling at the front wheels, uniball joints transverse control arm mounts, weight-reduced compression and rebound-adjustable gas dampers from Bilstein, springs by Eibach, wider front hood with louvers, new wider rear wing with larger end plates, new front plate with optimised diffusion under the front end.

The R8 Grand-Am features an engine with its power reduced from 470 PS (346 kW; 464 hp) to 450 PS (331 kW; 444 hp) via an air restrictor and the engine electronics, a reduced fuel tank capacity of 83.3 litres, three-part rims for wheels and suspension, and deactivated anti-lock system and traction control (as NASCAR/Grand-Am does not permit either traction control nor anti-lock brakes).

[35] This model made its debut at the 50th Daytona 24 Hours in January 2012.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.

[37] 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.

[41] The Audi e-tron is a version of the R8 Coupé with a slightly smaller body utilising four electric motors rated at 317 PS (233 kW; 313 hp) and 450 N⋅m (332 lbf⋅ft) of torque.

[42] Other features included a 42.4 kWh liquid cooled lithium-ion battery pack, a need-based energy management system, LED technology used for all lighting units, independent cooling system for each axle; doors, covers, sidewalls and roof made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic; 3-mode flush gear selector (forward, reverse and neutral), instrument cluster with fold-out central display with integrated Audi MMI functions, climate control unit located to the right above the steering wheel, racing-inspired lightweight bucket seats, snow white and cognac interior colours, heat pump, climate control system; triangular double wishbones at the front axle and trapezoidal wishbones made of forged aluminum components at the rear axle, direct rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive electromechanical steering boost, 235/35R19 front and 295/30R19 rear tires with a new blade design and the prototype version of an information processing system (car-to-x communication).

[43] Audi originally announced the first e-tron model to be built by quattro GmbH at Neckarsulm, with a small production run beginning in late 2012.

[45] Features included two permanent magnet synchronous motors at the rear axle rated 381 PS (280 kW; 376 hp) and 820 N⋅m (604.80 lb⋅ft) of total torque, a torque vectoring system, electric single-wheel anti-slip regulation, Multimaterial space Frame chassis with increased use of carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, springs made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic, wheel hubs made of forged titanium, anti-roll bar boasts made from hybrid aluminum and carbon fibre, 19-inch wheels with friction-optimized 225-35 series tires, 48.6 kWh lithium-ion battery beneath the passenger cabin as structural element, Crescendo Red Metallic body colour, fine chrome horizontal struts on the grille, e-tron-specific LED headlamp design, diffuser at the rear, 7-inch Multi Media Interface display, 6.7-inch AMOLED (Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode) optic rear-view mirror system, leather and Alcantara upholstery, e-sound artificial engine noise emitting from a speaker system mounted in the underbody that is audible outside the car at speeds under 60 km/h (37 mph).

Notable changes included a Nordic gold body colour, front and rear air intakes/outlets and lightweight tailpipes are in matt black, front and rear slats and rear bumper (partially) in matt titanium grey; front spoiler, flics, sideblades, exterior mirrors, a fixed rear wing, an enlarged rear diffuser in carbon matt; radiator grille in matt black; radiator grille surround and bars in matt titanium grey, 19-inch wheels in 5 twin-spoke "Y" design finished in titanium paint, an aluminum gear knob with limited edition number from 1 up to 30 without number 4, 14 and 24; sports bucket seats in black Alcantara with contrasting stitching and piping in trim colour, headlining in Alcantara with contrasting stitching, knee pad in shark skin black with contrast stitching, centre console inlays and door trim inserts in body colour, monoposto and door pulls use inlays in carbon matt, doors and centre console are in body colour, instrument cluster with black dials and R8 emblem, door sill trims with aluminium insert and R8 logo, R tronic transmission.

Notable changes for the V8 model include Daytona Gray matte body colour, carbon fibre exterior splitter and diffuser, 19-inch titanium five-arm double spoke wheels, black grille surrounds, black exhaust finishers, R8 GT tail lamps, red brake calipers, exclusive leather package with Crimson Red elements and contrast stitching, exclusive leather Navigation surround, a thicker contoured leather multifunctional steering wheel, carbon fibre elements, Bang & Olufsen Sound System and Navigation with the Audi Music Interface.

Notable changes for the V10 model include Ibis white exterior and Brilliant Black features (sideblade, exterior mirrors, rear license plate surround), R8 GT tail lamps, 19-inch bi-color e-tron wheels, Ibis interior upholstery with Alabaster White contrast stitching, carbon fiber monoposto driver's cockpit, exclusive leather Navigation surround and contoured steering wheel.

Changes included a choice of two body colors (Malibu blue body with Suzuka grey rocker panel side blades, or Suzuka grey body with Malibu blue side blades), 19-inch high-gloss black wheel hubs in a five twin-spoke "Y" design, fixed spoiler in carbon matte, shark skin upholstery with colored stitching, handbrake and steering wheel wrapped in Alcantara, instrument shield in carbon matte, aluminum gear knob engraved with characters "R8 专享", removal of the numeral "4" from the serial numbers (as it is considered an unlucky number in China), seat heating function and the R-tronic automated manual transmission.

[60][61][62] Unveiled at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans,[63] the R8 LMX is a limited variant of the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro coupé with LED and laser high beams module shared with the Audi R18 e‑tron quattro with four 450 nanometer 5,500 Kelvin laser diodes per module, increased engine power to 570 PS (419 kW; 562 hp) and 540 N⋅m (398 lb⋅ft) of torque, 7-speed S Tronic dual-clutch transmission, carbon‑fiber ceramic brake discs (380 mm (15.0 in) front), red anodized brake calipers, 19‑inch wheels with 235/35 R 19 front and 305/30 R 19 rear tyres, exclusive Ara Blue body colour, a fixed rear spoiler, matte carbon fiber‑reinforced polymer front spoiler lip, side flics, engine compartment cover, exterior mirror housings, sideblades, rear wing and the diffuser; singleframe grille, front air inlet grilles, rear outlet grille finished in titanium gray; sport exhaust system with high-gloss black tailpipes, black interior with blue accents, folding bucket seats upholstered in Nappa leather with Sepang Blue diamond pattern, backrest covers in Ara Blue, Sepang Blue stitching at parking brake lever, center tunnel console, steering wheel and the instrument cowl; black Alcantara headlining, black Nappa leather door trim, center tunnel console, parking brake lever, inlays in the doors, arc around the cockpit in matte carbon; illuminated aluminum inlays integrated into the CFRP door sill trims, selector lever for the S Tronic and knee pads upholstered in Nappa leather, floor mats with black piping and Sepang Blue stitching.

[66] The car was built by Metal Hoffman and used headlights from the Bentley Mulsanne and tail lights from the Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as various other components sourced from the Volkswagen Group, and featured the same 430 bhp, V8 engine from the R8.

[81][82][83] The R8 also features a distinctive curved bar of LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) mounted inside the xenon HID headlamp casings.

The #7 R8 driven by an all-Australian crew of Mark Eddy, multiple Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes and Warren Luff qualified on pole alongside teammates Marc Basseng, Christopher Mies and Darryl O'Young in the #8 car.

Two Audi R8 LMS customer race cars purchased by Flying Lizard Motorsports entered the GT Daytona class of 2014 United SportsCar Championship.

[95][96] In the 2012 24 Hours of Nürburgring (the 40th edition of the race), Audi secured its first-ever victory and a 1-2 finish in the 24-hour classic with a Phoenix team consisting of Marc Basseng, Christopher Haase, Frank Stippler and Markus Winkelhock taking the top spot of the podium and Christian Abt, Michael Ammermüller, Armin Hahne and Christian Mamerow of the Mamerow racing team (which used a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG last year) taking second.

Phoenix Racing went on to win the 2012 24 Hours of Spa in an Audi R8 LMS Ultra in the hands of Andrea Piccini, René Rast and Frank Stippler.

[104] Initial comparison tests have proven quite positive in this respect; Evo Magazine listed it as a "supercar",[105] compared the R8 to the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, and BMW M6 and after praising the R8's "amazing stability, traction and grip, unparalleled steering accuracy and bite, (and) its uncannily flat and disturbance-free ride", claimed that as a result of "the sublime effortlessness of it all", the Audi is a better sports car.

On the R8 they wrote that "it rewards driver input", calling it "fantastic in a way that will appeal more to true car enthusiasts", but also remarked that it (the V8 model) was "much slower", and the GT-R was cheaper.

The goal of Vertical Run is to beat the competition in a multiplayer challenge by collecting enough electrical energy and avoiding driving errors in the e-tron, in order to reach the highest possible speed.

In addition, users of the free image-recognition app Blippar are able to view this video by simply pointing their phone at print and poster advertisements of the car, instantly bringing 2D photographs to life.

The video engages and excites sportscar enthusiasts by highlighting the incredibly fast shifting seven-speed S tronic double clutch transmission on the track.