Custom R8 Packs A Not-So-Quattro Surprise
Custom R8 now powers only the rear wheels and has an exhaust that sends the chilling V8 scream echoing through the canyons.
When the R8 initially launched over a decade ago, we would have been hard-pressed to believe how jaded we’d become towards them. However, it’s gotten to the point where they’re almost a dime a dozen. Not to say we don’t still get excited to see one, though. It’s just a bit less of an event than it used to be. That being said, there is always a positive side to things. With the price of first-gen R8s dropping and the desire for owners to stand out, a plethora of custom R8s are becoming a reality.
Take, for example, my friend Nate Morely. His 2008 Audi R8 with a manual transmission is far from mundane. I and my photography fiend friend Cody Anderson recently had the pleasure of sitting in on a bit of a canyon cruise in Utah, which I outlined on my Youtube channel. As if the half-and-half wrap job isn’t enough to signify that this R8 has been modified, the engine starting instantly gives a second cue. This thing is loud, and it does not show any remorse for it. While it is fantastic to listen to even sitting still, that doesn’t even begin to outline all the modifications to this beast. Let’s dive in, shall we?
More than meets the eye.
I don’t want to gloss over the exterior modifications to this car. Believe me, a car with two different wraps split right down the middle gets all the attention you would think it might and then some. For the short amount of time I was inside this thing, there were countless thumbs going up alongside us on the highway. People of all ages were losing their minds in the cars beside us, pointing and tapping their friends on the shoulder to garner their attention toward the R8. It is freaking awesome. Couple the wrap job with the yellow tinted headlights (which the police just love to pay attention to) and its gorgeous Velos Designwerks wheels, and this thing looks like a video game dream come true.
However, merely stopping at how awesome the car looks would be quite the undersell to Morely. Why, you ask? Simply put, the customization is far from skin deep on this one.
From Quattro to Nottro
As mentioned before, this thing is loud. Just calling it loud does not do it justice. The video almost gets the point across, but hearing it in person is the only correct way to grasp it. Not to discredit the tone of the beloved Audi 4.2-liter V8, though. Loud certainly does not mean it sounds bad, and I could listen to this thing for ages. The B-Rogue Built titanium exhaust system screams to the heavens relentlessly, and it doesn’t look half bad either. A good heat-stained hand-built titanium exhaust system always gets a pass in our books.
Keeping this crazy custom R8 planted around the corners is a set of BC Racing Coilovers. Having suitable suspension geometry is essential with this one, too. While the Audi R8 comes standard with the legendary Quattro all-wheel-drive system, this one has been converted to rear-wheel only. According to Morely, the conversion wholly altered how the car handles, and not in a bad way. Now, there are plenty of shenanigans to be seen on his Instagram account if you so choose. Who doesn’t love to see an R8 get sideways, right?
Custom cars keep us moving.
When Audi launched the R8, we hardly imagine that this is where they envisioned things going. That’s okay, though. There’s always room for improvement. After all, without people like Morely making cooler things out of already cool cars, we wouldn’t have a whole lot to talk about in the car community, would we? Be sure to check out his Instagram account if you want to see more of this awesome R8 and various other exotics, too.
Photos: Cody Camera/Cody Anderson
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