In 2007, Audi launched the R8, a real sports car! It was completely new and a competitor for the Porsche 911, Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo. After eight years, the first generation was superseded. Between 2007 and 2015, over 26,000 examples of the Audi R8 were built, of which 5626 were newly registered in Germany, according to the Federal Motor Transport Authority. With its futuristic design and modern technology (the first production car with full LED headlights), the R8 was a success right from the start.

The Audi R8 (internal type designation 42) is the first model generation of Audi’s mid-engine R8 sports car, which was unveiled to the public in September 2006. The name is based on the successful Le Mans racing prototype Audi R8. To save weight, the car’s body is made entirely of aluminum. The successor Audi R8 4S appeared in 2015.

At market launch, the R8 was only available as a coupe with a naturally aspirated V8 engine and 420 hp. The high-revving engine (maximum 8250 rpm) with a displacement of 4.2 liters has a maximum output of 309 kW (420 hp) at 7800 rpm and a maximum torque of 430 Nm, which is available between 4500 and 6000 rpm. The torque is available at 90 percent from 3500 to 7600 min-1 to deliver sufficient power across the entire rev band. The Audi R8 accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds and is said to reach 301 km/h (124 mph). The power-to-weight ratio is 5.3 kg/kW (3.9 kg/hp). With the introduction of the V8 engine in the Spyder model, a revised version of the engine appeared in mid-2010 with a maximum output of 316 kW (430 hp).