Airbagged R8 – Going Low The Right Way
The Brief
Engineered to Be One of the Best Air-Suspension Audi R8s on the Road.
Not all car builds begin the same way. Some projects develop over time, with individual parts purchased separately and a general idea of how the vehicle should look and perform.
This wasn’t one of those builds. Antonio’s Audi R8 arrived at HG Performance with a clear objective: create one of the best air-suspension equipped R8s on the road. While “best” can be subjective, we approached the project with the confidence and expertise required to build something worthy of that description.
The research began with finding a suspension system that offered a motorsport approach and quality that could be coupled with the adjustability required for daily drivability and comfort.
We reached out to our air-suspension partners, Accuair and HP Drivetech, who had created a kit specifically for the R8. The system combines Bilstein Clubsport adjustable struts with an Accuair Air Management system and TouchPad control unit.
What We Did
This kit had only been installed in one other R8, so direct installation instructions were not an option. Our Performance Technicians had to use their skill, experience, and expertise to complete the build in an innovative way.
The team developed the installation as the project progressed, creating and fabricating custom brackets to properly integrate the air-suspension components with the Audi R8.
The result is a completely adjustable suspension system that provides a balance of comfort, reliability, performance, and drivability, making the R8 equally suited to everyday road use and more demanding driving.
To complete Stage 1 of the build, we also added an EVOMS Intake System, providing additional performance while establishing the foundation for future upgrades.
Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the build are planned to include forced induction and transmission upgrades, taking the R8’s performance significantly further.
Parts Fitted
Suspension & Air Management
- Accuair Stage 1 e-Level 4-Corner Air Management Package with TouchPad
- Electroless Nickel Finish
- Black Anodized 3-Gallon Tank
- 1/4″ NPT Bag Fittings
- Accuair Single Compressor EXO Mount Bracket System
- Accuair Power Supply Kit
- 70 AMP Fuse
- Weatherproof Fuse Holder
- 90 AMP Solenoid
- 25 ft. 6-AWG Wire
- Accuair (2) 3/8″ Exhaust Mufflers
- Accuair WiFi Receiver for iOS & Android
- HP Drivetech Bilstein Clubsport Front Struts
- HP Drivetech Bilstein Clubsport Rear Struts
- KW EDC Delete Unit
Performance
- EVOMS Intake System
Wheels
- HRE Performance Wheels RS1 Series
- HRE RS103 20-inch wheels
- 20×8 front wheels
- 20×10.5 rear wheels
- Brushed Satin Red Clear Face
- Gloss Black Lip
- Satin Black Inner
- HRE Carbon Caps
The Result
The completed Audi R8 delivers the combination Antonio was looking for: fully adjustable air suspension with the performance, comfort, and drivability required from a street-driven R8.
The custom-developed Accuair and HP Drivetech system provides complete ride-height adjustability, while the Bilstein Clubsport struts provide a performance-focused foundation for the suspension.
The HRE RS1 Series RS103 wheels complete the visual transformation with a distinctive Brushed Satin Red Clear Face, Gloss Black Lip, and Satin Black Inner finish, measuring 20×8 at the front and 20×10.5 at the rear.
Stage 1 also establishes the foundation for the next phase of the build. The EVOMS Intake System adds an initial performance upgrade, while planned Stage 2 and Stage 3 development will introduce forced induction and transmission upgrades.
Most importantly, this project demonstrates the engineering approach behind HG Performance. When an off-the-shelf installation isn’t enough, our technicians are prepared to design, fabricate, and engineer a solution specifically for the vehicle.
Custom engineered. Fully adjustable. Built to drive.
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