Elevating the Audi R8 4S Facelift with a GT Look

The Audi R8 has always occupied a unique place in the performance car world. A naturally aspirated V10, a mid-engine layout, and a level of usability that made it feel special without being intimidating.

But in its later years, particularly in 4S Facelift form, the R8 developed an unusual contradiction. From behind the wheel, it’s visceral, loud, immediate, dramatic. But from the outside, it can feel surprisingly restrained... For owners who know what the car is capable of, that disconnect is hard to ignore.

That’s where this build comes in.

The R8 GT: A Proper Swansong

When Audi unveiled the Audi R8 GT, – lighter, more aggressive, more focused, the GT represented the final, most extreme interpretation of the R8 as we know it. A swansong for the V10 era, before electrification inevitably took over.

The GT became the benchmark. Not only because of outright performance figures, but because its design finally matched the theatre of the drivetrain.

This build takes that same aesthetic philosophy and applies it to a standard R8 4S Facelift.

Why the Standard R8 Undersells Itself

There’s no question the R8 drives brilliantly out of the box. The rear-wheel-drive cars in particular deliver an experience that feels raw, engaging and special in a way very few modern supercars do.

Visually, though, the factory styling doesn’t always communicate that.

Gloss black trim, relatively subdued aero, and conservative ride height mean the car can look less dramatic than it feels. For a V10 supercar with this level of performance, that’s a missed opportunity, or as we see it at Autoid – Potential.

The goal of this build was simple: make the outside reflect the experience from the driver’s seat.

A GT-Inspired Aero Transformation

To achieve that, the car was treated to a comprehensive carbon fibre aero kit inspired by the R8 GT from TRE.

Up front, a carbon front splitter and canards add aggression and definition, visually lowering the nose and giving the front end the presence it deserves. The fitment and finish are precise, integrating cleanly with the factory bodywork rather than looking added on.

Along the sides, carbon side skirts replace the standard gloss black pieces, tying the front and rear together and reducing visual height. Wider GT-style side blades further enhance the profile, adding width and aggression in a way that feels purposeful rather than excessive.

At the rear, the transformation is most dramatic. A full carbon fibre diffuser completely changes the character of the back end, adding depth, structure and motorsport intent. Combined with a carbon rear wing mounted on a replacement decklid, the car finally takes on the silhouette of something far more extreme.

This isn’t subtle, and it isn’t meant to be. The R8 GT never was.

Details That Make the Difference

Beyond the headline aero parts, smaller details complete the look.

Carbon mirror caps replace the factory gloss black items, while exhaust tips were refinished in gloss black to match the rest of the car’s accents. Carbon engine inlet covers replace the original pieces entirely, adding width and visual weight where it matters most.

The result is a car that feels cohesive from every angle, with no single element overpowering the rest.

Stance to Match the Presence

A GT-inspired look demands the right stance.

H&R Lowering springs were fitted to bring the car closer to the ground, reducing the arch gap and allowing the aero to sit correctly. Later in the build, the customer opted for a fully custom set of gloss black 2forge ZF8-R wheels, designed specifically to suit the car without the need for spacers.

The combination delivers a flush, purposeful fitment that complements the wider bodywork and aggressive aero, completing the visual transformation.

From Refined Supercar to Proper Statement

What this build proves is that the Audi R8 doesn’t need more noise, more power or more theatrics to feel special. It already has those.

What it benefits from is alignment. When the aesthetics finally match the performance and drama of the V10 drivetrain, the R8 becomes what it was always meant to be.

A true modern supercar, finished the way the final chapter deserves.

Final Thoughts

As the R8 era comes to an end, builds like this highlight just how special the platform really is. The R8 GT showed us what was possible when Audi fully committed to the concept.

This conversion takes that same spirit and applies it to a standard 4S Facelift, creating a car that looks as extreme, focused and dramatic as it feels to drive.

For owners who want their R8 to represent the very best of what the V10 era had to offer, this is how you do it.

Do you own an Audi R8 4S Facelift and looking to take it up a level? We ran our very own R8 and developed modifications for this platform. Get in touch with our team of experts.