2012 Audi R8: What's New, Specs & Features
Last updated August 4, 2026
The biggest change for the 2012 Audi R8 is the arrival of the limited-production GT coupe and GT Spyder. The regular V8 and V10 models otherwise carry over without a major redesign.
About the 2012 Audi R8
1st generation (Type 42), late pre-facelift year in the U.S.; R8 GT added before the U.S. facelifted 2014 update.
Audi positioned the first-generation R8 as a mid-engine exotic that mixed supercar looks and speed with more day-to-day usability than many rivals. The defining themes were racing roots, quattro all-wheel drive traction, aluminum lightweight construction, and a driver-focused cockpit. Against rivals, the R8’s appeal was not just raw speed; it was the idea of getting serious performance and dramatic styling in a car that felt more secure, less intimidating, and easier to live with on normal roads.
The 2012 R8 range spans V8 and V10 coupes and Spyders, all with quattro all-wheel drive. The 430-hp V8 models emphasize everyday usability, while the 525-hp V10 versions add more power and Fine Nappa leather. At the top, the numbered 560-hp GT models bring less weight, lower suspension, and distinctive carbon-fiber body parts.
What changed, by category
2012 Audi R8 specs and features by trim
| Feature | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | V10, 5.2 Liter | V8, 4.2 Liter | V10, 5.2 Liter | V10, 5.2 Liter | V8, 4.2 Liter | V10, 5.2 Liter |
| Transmission | Auto, 6-Spd R tronic | Manual, 6-Spd | Auto, 6-Spd R tronic | Auto, 6-Spd R tronic | Auto, 6-Spd R tronic | Auto, 6-Spd R tronic |
| Drivetrain | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD | AWD |
| Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas |
| MPG City | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | 13 mpg | 13 mpg |
| MPG Highway | 19 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | 21 mpg | 19 mpg |
| Horsepower | 560 hp | 430 hp | 525 hp | 560 hp | 430 hp | 525 hp |
| Torque | 398 lb-ft | 316 lb-ft | 391 lb-ft | 398 lb-ft | 316 lb-ft | 391 lb-ft |
| Trunk/Cargo | 3.5 cu-ft | 3.5 cu-ft | 3.5 cu-ft | 3.5 cu-ft | 3.5 cu-ft | 3.5 cu-ft |
| Seats | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Doors | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Alarm System | ||||||
| Front & Rear Parking Sensors | ||||||
| Hill Start Assist | ||||||
| Rear View Camera | ||||||
| Alloy Wheels | ||||||
| Auto-Dimming Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| HID Headlights | ||||||
| LED Headlights | ||||||
| LED Tail Lights | ||||||
| Power Folding Exterior Mirrors | ||||||
| Power Retractable Soft Top | ||||||
| Rear Spoiler | ||||||
| Bluetooth | ||||||
| Navigation System | ||||||
| Premium Audio | ||||||
| SD Card Slot | ||||||
| Satellite Radio | ||||||
| Smartphone Interface | ||||||
| Subwoofer | ||||||
| Heated Front Seats | ||||||
| Leather Seats | ||||||
| Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel | ||||||
Frequently asked questions
What is the biggest change to the 2012 Audi R8?
The biggest change is the addition of the limited-production R8 GT coupe and GT Spyder. Both use a 560-hp V10 and add less weight, lower suspension, and GT-specific carbon-fiber body parts.
Is the 2012 Audi R8 a redesigned model?
No. The 2012 R8 remains part of the first-generation, pre-facelift lineup. Its main update is the addition of the GT models rather than a redesign of the full range.
How is the 2012 R8 GT different from the regular V10 R8?
The 2012 R8 GT has 560 hp instead of the regular V10 model’s 525 hp. It also has less weight, suspension lowered by 10 mm, a fixed carbon-fiber rear wing, other carbon-fiber body parts, and numbered special-edition trim.
Did the regular 2012 Audi R8 models change much?
No. The regular 4.2-liter V8 and 5.2-liter V10 coupes and Spyders saw no major redesign, broad safety update, or major technology overhaul. One equipment change is that the smartphone interface on the 5.2 Quattro coupe became optional rather than standard.
Which body styles and engines are in the 2012 Audi R8 lineup?
The 2012 R8 lineup includes coupes and soft-top Spyders. Regular models use either a 430-hp V8 or a 525-hp V10, while the limited-production GT coupe and GT Spyder use a 560-hp V10.