In 1998, the R8R was unveiled to the press as a conventional yet stylish car featuring front-mounted water cooling, flank NACA ducts for intercooling, top side pod NACA ducts for turbo intake, a Kamm-ish tail, and a single element Le Mans configuration rear wing. While initially appearing aesthetically pleasing, it lacked some functional elements like a rear diffuser and had non-race car features such as four sets of exhaust pipes. Designed by Audi stylists Luc Donckerwolke and Roland Heiler, it served as a test bed for mechanical components and further developments of the R8R series during initial testing.