Introduced for the 2017 model year, the second-generation R8 has been in dealerships for almost a year now, while race-spec LMS version is already tackling its second motorsport season as of 2017. And, while the road car is struggling to fit in a tough niche, the race car had its most successful season in 2016, when it scored 24 titles and 85 wins. Audi is celebrating the success of Audi Sport division with a special-edition R8 that pays tribute to the track-only LMS. It's called the R8 Coupe Audi Sport Edition and made its public debut at the 2017 New York Auto Show.

Designed as a tribute for the highly successful R8 LMS, the Audi Sport Edition comes wrapped in the traditional colors of the company's racing division: silver, red, and black. On top of the special livery and the custom wheels, the limited-edition supercar also sports a bespoke interior. What's more, it's limited to just 200 units globally, which makes it the most exclusive second-generation R8 to date.

Unfortunately, there are no drivetrain upgrades to talk about, but with the R8 still fresh, it's not like the German supecar is in need of more oomph for public road use. For now, an exclusive livery and a custom interior seem to be enough to satisfy custom demand.

Continue reading to learn more about the Audi Sport R8 Coupe Edition Audi.

2018 Audi R8 Coupe Audi Sport Edition

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2018 Audi R8 Coupe Audi Sport Edition
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What makes the Audi R8 Coupe Audi Sport Edition special?

Like most special-edition Audis, this R8 here is mostly about a new livery. For starters, color choices are limited to Floret Silver (either matt or gloss), Mythos Black, and Ibis Silver. No matter the selection, each car comes with Brilliant Red side blades, quarter window covers, and mirror caps. Additionally, the front spoiler, the single frame grille, and the rear diffuser insert are finished in Titanium Black. The color scheme is inspired by the familiar racing livery of Audi Sport and does a great job at making the R8 stand out in a crowd.

Exterior comparison R8 Audi Sport Edition vs R8 LMS race car.

On top of the bespoke exterior, the Audi Sport Edition also features trapezoidal tailpipes in gloss black and 20-inch, forged aluminum wheels with 10-spoke Y rims in Anthracite Black with silver edges. The standard R8 V10 model comes with high-gloss red calipers, while the Plus version gets Anthracite pieces.

Open the door and you will be greeted by aluminum door sill inlays with "Audi Sport" label, red rhombus, and a "1/200" inscription. The latter means that the Audi Sport Edition is limited to just 200 units. The sports seats and the door panels are wrapped in black and Express Red Nappa leather, while the seat backrests get "R8" emblems. There's also dark silver stitching on the steering wheel, door trim, and seats, while the gloss carbon inlays on the dashboard, A/C vents, and centr console give the R8 a more exclusive look. Finally, the flat-bottom steering wheel has the race-specific 12 o'clock stripe.

There are no upgrades under the hood, so both the standard and the Plus variants come with the same specs. The 5.2-liter V-10 engine cranks out 540 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque in the standard version and 610 horses and 413 pound-feet in the Plus model. The 0-to-62 mph sprint is achieved in 3.5 and 3.2 seconds, respectively, while top speed is rated at 200 and 205 mph.

U.S. pricing information is not yet available, but the Audi Sport Edition will start from €181,900 in Germany. The V10 Plus variant will retail from €205,800. For reference, the regular R8 coupe starts from €166,000, while the V10 Plus is priced from €190,000. All told, we're looking at a €15,900 premium for the Audi Sport Edition upgrade.