Is the Nitron DCU included with this kit?

No. The Nitron DCU is required for the elec-TRON R3 to function and is sold separately. Without the DCU, the electronic damping system cannot operate. If you need help selecting the correct DCU for your application, contact us directly.

How does the elec-TRON R3 differ from the elec-TRON R1 for the R8?

Both kits use Nitron's proportional solenoid valve and DCU-controlled electronic damping, but the elec-TRON R3 adds independent manual compression adjustment via remote hose mounted reservoirs, giving drivers and engineers direct control over high and low speed compression on top of the active electronic damping. The elec-TRON R1 handles all damping electronically without that manual compression adjustment capability, making it the more streamlined of the two.

How does the elec-TRON R3 differ from the NTR-R3 for the R8?

The NTR-R3 uses fully manual 3-way independent damping adjustment with separate high speed compression, low speed compression, and rebound control. The elec-TRON R3 adds Nitron's proportional solenoid valve and DCU-controlled active damping on top of that manual compression adjustment, providing real-time electronic damping control alongside the manual setup capability. Both require the remote hose mounted reservoirs, but the elec-TRON R3 layers electronic intelligence over the mechanical adjustment the NTR-R3 relies on exclusively.

What damping maps does the DCU come with?

The DCU provides access to pre-installed damping maps; Rain, Tour, Sport, and Race; via an adjustable rotary control knob. Damping is continuously optimized within whichever map is selected at 200Hz, so the driver sets the overall character and the system handles the fine adjustments in real time.

Are droplinks included with the kit?

No, droplinks are not included. The kit consists of four coilovers, reservoirs, hoses, and adjustable top mounts covering front and rear.

Is the Nitron elec-TRON R3 serviceable after purchase?

Yes. Every elec-TRON R3 kit is fully serviceable. Nitron hand-builds each unit to order, and the design supports long-term maintenance rather than requiring full replacement when performance eventually needs refreshing.

Nitron elec-TRON R3 Coilover Kit for 42 Audi R8

The Nitron elec-TRON R3 coilover kit for the 42 Audi R8 combines electronic damping control through Nitron’s proportional solenoid valve with independent manual compression adjustment, giving drivers and engineers control over both the active and mechanical sides of the damping setup. Remote hose mounted reservoirs allow for straightforward independent adjustment of high and low speed compression, while the Nitron DCU handles overall damping in real time; note that the DCU is required and sold separately. Adjustable top mounts and race springs are included, and the kit is built for drivers who want to extract the most from the R8’s mid-engine platform on road or track without leaving performance on the table.

elec-TRON

Nitron’s elec-TRON system is built around a proprietary proportional solenoid valve fitted to each shock individually, giving the DCU precise, independent damping control at every corner of the car. G-load, vehicle speed, road conditions, and driver inputs are all monitored simultaneously, with damping adjustments made every six milliseconds. A human eye blink takes somewhere between 100 and 150 milliseconds; the elec-TRON system is working at a fraction of that. The suspension is responding to the road and the driver in real time, not reacting after the fact. The 42 R8 does not use a factory electronic damping system, so this kit runs on Nitron’s Standalone Electronic Damping configuration, which requires the Nitron DCU, sold separately.

Standalone Electronic Damping System

The Nitron DCU is required for the elec-TRON R3 kit on the 42 Audi R8 and is sold separately. It’s the brain behind the elec-TRON system, transforming a conventional passive damper setup into a precision semi-active platform. Working in conjunction with Nitron’s elec-TRON valve, the DCU continuously processes data from the car every five milliseconds; assessing vehicle attitude, braking forces, cornering loads, and acceleration inputs to determine the correct valve position and damping level at any given moment. The result is a suspension system that isn’t set to a fixed damping rate but is constantly optimizing grip and comfort in real time based on what the car is actually doing. The DCU is fitted with an adjustable control knob giving the driver access to a range of pre-installed damping maps; Rain, Tour, Sport, and Race; each tuned for a specific driving context. Damping continues to be adjusted continuously within whichever map is selected, so the driver sets the overall character and the system handles the rest.
- Supplied with a custom or universal wiring harness
- Utilizes Arm Cortex-M4 processor
- Independent control of 4 electronic dampers
- 6 position rotary control switch or visual rotary display and control allows user to access a number of pre-installed damping maps (3 passive / 3 adaptive)
- Two 3 axis accelerometers
- 3 axis gyroscope
- 200Hz damping control rate
- Configured for application location and settings
- Ideal for resto-mod applications
- Fully resin bonded

Specialized Bi-Axis Hose Fittings

Nitron R3 Hose shocks use Nitron’s own 720 degree Bi-Axis fittings exclusively; a proprietary design that makes for clean, precise installation without the compromises that come with conventional end fittings.

Unique Technology

Nitron starts every shock with precision components that go through a thorough design and development process long before final assembly. The modular construction gives engineers the flexibility to approach each application on its own terms, without compromising part quality or how components perform together under real load. Everything is machined to tight tolerances and inspected individually by trained technicians; that standard of quality control runs through every stage of production, not just the end of it. New materials, finishes, and processes go through extensive validation before they’re adopted, with proprietary Nitron technologies built in throughout to produce shocks that consistently hold up against the competition on road and track. That’s the engineering foundation the brand has been built on since 1998.
- Basic Damper Design:
  1. End Eye / Top Mount
  2. Damper Piston & Shim Stack
  3. Shaft / Rod
  4. Floating / Separator Piston
  5. Suspension Oil
  6. Compressed Nitrogen Gas

Bespoke Engineering

Nitron doesn’t adapt a generic damper to fit a car; they engineer one around it. Every application goes through a dedicated development process where components, spring rates, and damping characteristics are shaped by the specific platform, not carried over from something similar enough to work. The geometry, weight distribution, and suspension travel of the vehicle are part of the design from day one, not corrections introduced later. That’s the difference between suspension that works with a car and suspension that was purpose-built for it.

Features

Hose reservoir types
No manual damping adjustments, fully controlled by the solenoid valve
Preload adjuster
Full alloy body
Consists of 4 coilovers, reservoirs, hoses, and adjustable top mounts
Hand made to order

Specifications

Coilover Type: elec-TRON R3
Reservoir Type: Hose
Rear Suspension Type: OEM
Droplinks Included: No
Recommended Spring Rates: N/A (requires Nitron DCU to work)

Applications

Audi R8 4.2 V8 quattro: 42 | 2007-2015
Audi R8 5.2 V10 quattro: 42 | 2009-2015

Other Suspension Kits for the Audi R8 (42)

Notes

This kit requires the Nitron DCU to work
Images used for illustration purposes only. Specific details, finishes and end fittings may differ from that shown.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Nitron DCU included with this kit? No. The Nitron DCU is required for the elec-TRON R3 to function and is sold separately. Without the DCU, the electronic damping system cannot operate. If you need help selecting the correct DCU for your application, contact us directly.
How does the elec-TRON R3 differ from the elec-TRON R1 for the R8? Both kits use Nitron’s proportional solenoid valve and DCU-controlled electronic damping, but the elec-TRON R3 adds independent manual compression adjustment via remote hose mounted reservoirs, giving drivers and engineers direct control over high and low speed compression on top of the active electronic damping. The elec-TRON R1 handles all damping electronically without that manual compression adjustment capability, making it the more streamlined of the two.
How does the elec-TRON R3 differ from the NTR-R3 for the R8? The NTR-R3 uses fully manual 3-way independent damping adjustment with separate high speed compression, low speed compression, and rebound control. The elec-TRON R3 adds Nitron’s proportional solenoid valve and DCU-controlled active damping on top of that manual compression adjustment, providing real-time electronic damping control alongside the manual setup capability. Both require the remote hose mounted reservoirs, but the elec-TRON R3 layers electronic intelligence over the mechanical adjustment the NTR-R3 relies on exclusively.
What damping maps does the DCU come with? The DCU provides access to pre-installed damping maps; Rain, Tour, Sport, and Race; via an adjustable rotary control knob. Damping is continuously optimized within whichever map is selected at 200Hz, so the driver sets the overall character and the system handles the fine adjustments in real time.
Are droplinks included with the kit? No, droplinks are not included. The kit consists of four coilovers, reservoirs, hoses, and adjustable top mounts covering front and rear.
Is the Nitron elec-TRON R3 serviceable after purchase? Yes. Every elec-TRON R3 kit is fully serviceable. Nitron hand-builds each unit to order, and the design supports long-term maintenance rather than requiring full replacement when performance eventually needs refreshing.

About Nitron Suspension

Nitron Suspension has been at the forefront of precision suspension engineering since 1998, founded by Guy Evans with the goal of building high-performance shocks for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Over 200 dealers now carry Nitron products across Europe, Asia, the US, Australasia, and Africa. In 2008, the company moved into a dedicated facility in the UK’s Motorsport Valley, adding dynamometers, 5-axis CNC machines, and 3D CAD capabilities to support both growing demand and continued product development. A second expansion came in 2023 with a new office in Murrieta, California. The team behind every Nitron product draws from deep backgrounds in machining, materials technology, hydraulics, bike engineering, and F1 racing, with many engineers bringing firsthand experience as competitive drivers and riders. That depth of knowledge across both the technical and competitive sides of motorsport shapes every product Nitron develops.

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Nitron elec-TRON R3 Coilover Kit for 42 Audi R8 [NTCAU010ER3]

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