Audi has just released official info on their latest R8 supercar. Badged the Audi R8 GT the car is limited to 333 examples and boasts an enhanced 5.2 litre V10 engine producing 412kW (560hp). With 100kg of weight stripped from it, the R8 GT, with standard R tronic transmission, can accelerate to 100km/h in 3.6 seconds.
Those numbers represent an improvement of 26kW and 0.3 seconds over the regular R8 V10. Other differences include a revised body kit, first seen in last week’s spy shots. You can pick it by the carbon fibre front splitter and rear diffuser. Also note the aluminium side mirror mounts and fixed rear wing. The side “flicks”on the outer front wings also give the game away, while helping to increase the GT’s downforce. Revised LED daytime running lights, now form a constant strip of light, also indicate this is a more special R8.
Weight reduction of the R8 GT was achieved in obvious areas such as lighter seats and battery, resulting in a combined saving of 40kg. Use of a thinner glass windscreen and polycarbonate elsewhere yielded a net loss of 9kg. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic body panels also saved over 13kg of precious weight. The level of detail sought is impressive, though. For example, careful selection and trimming of materials for the carpets, insulation, the air intake, the braking system, the fixed rear wing and more contributed to the GT’s diet. Over 2.5kg was saved through the use of thinner sheet metal with addition cutouts, as well.
Given those weight savings it is surprising, perhaps, that few luxuries have been lost inside the cabin. Climate control and power windows you can probably excuse. But a standard navigation system and 465 watt Bang & Olufsen stereo seem a little counter-productive. The alcantara covered steering wheel is a nice touch, though. Its a shame the same can’t be said for the white dials.
The quattro all-wheel drive system sends 85 per cent of the car’s power to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. The car’s 43:57 weight distribution and tweaks to its ESP parameters allows “spectacular, but safe, oversteer when accelerating our of a corner”. That’s what we like to see.
Wheels are 19″ in size and made from forged alloy. Up front they are 8.5″ wide, while 11″ at the back should help in getting all that power down. Carbon fibre ceramic brakes are standard in the GT, set off nicely by red anodised six pot calipers under the front wheels.
Die hard track day warriors can also option a bolt in roll cage and a four-point harness system to keep them in place.
Available in just four colours—Samoa Orange metallic, Suzuka Gray metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl effect—you can secure an R8 GT in Germany for the tidy sum of €193,000 (approx AU$280K). If the R8 GT does find its way down under, expect to pay almost double that. But, if you could, you would. Wouldn’t you?
More pics and Audi’s press release after the break.
