km : Aftermarket and Industry News

If we must fault Audi for the R8's unique design, it's that its more interesting elements have inspired tuning firms to carry those ideas, unsuccessfully, over to other models. We've seen TT-based R8 look-alikes, obviously, but this is the first time to our knowledge that someone has tried to infuse some of the supercar's award winning looks into the A5, which itself is a very attractive vehicle. But Hofele Design has stepped up to the plate, and the result is what you see here. Ugly.

The full "R8-look" kit includes the following components:

-Front bumper with R8 lamella inserts
-Rear bumper with R8 V10 diffuser and lamella inserts
-Air intakes on front fenders
-Side skirts with air intake
-Side blades
-Rear spoiler
-Rear apron



Most of those parts are available and interchangeable between the A5/S5 coupe, cabriolet, and the new four-door Sportback model, but the side blades don't work with the latter because of the rear quarter-panel differences. That makes the Sportback the lucky one, we think. A few of the elements, namely the front bumper and the rear diffuser, aren't hateful. The rear piece is actually something we'd consider putting on our car. But the fender vents, the rear apron, the side skirts, and most of all, the side blades, all seem forced. The fender vent trend is especially something that needs to go away. Thanks for the effort, Hofele, but next time, keep the modifications simpler. If people wanted to spend a bunch of money making an S5 look like an R8, maybe they should just keep saving up for the real thing.

see what others are saying about this story...