Audi has introduced a GT variant of the R8, and this limited-edition variant is more powerful, lighter and faster than the production version R8. The production run will only be 333 units, and each R8 GT will have a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.
For starters, the output of the 5.2l V10 has been increased to 552bhp, while vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100kg - in terms of performance, the R8 GT does the 0-100kmh in 3.6secs and achieves a top speed of 320kmh.
The exterior features modifications that not only sharpen the appearance, but reduce the weight and enhance the aerodynamics. The single-frame grille is finished in matt titanium grey, while the grille is painted matt black, and the splitter under the bumper has a double lip and is made of carbon. Slender, curved flics at the corners of the nose increase the downforce on the front axle and are also made of a carbon fiber composite. The car features LED headlights as standard, and these use light-emitting diodes for all functions.
The R8 GT gets 19-inch wheels with an exclusive five twin-spoke Y design in a titanium-look finish. At the back, there's a fixed wing made of matte carbon, while the ventilation louvres on both sides of the rear hatch and the CFRP bumper, which integrates the large, round tailpipes and vents for the wheel wells, have been redesigned
A number of items were reworked to get the weight down. These include the windshield, which is made of thinner glass. As for the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment, as well as the window in the rear hatch, these feature the use of polycarbonate, and together with the windshield, trim 9kg off. Elsewhere, the fixed rear wing is 1.2kg lighter, and thinner sheet metal and additional cutouts shave 2.6kg from the front aluminum bonnet. Additionally, among the weight reduction areas, the rear hatch on the R8 GT is made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which is 6.6kg lighter, and the rear bumper and the sideblades, made from CFRP reduce another 5.2kg and 1.5kg respectively.
Besides the increased power output, torque is also up by 10Nm from the production version, to 540Nm at 6,500rpm. Elsewhere, carbon fibre ceramic brake discs come as standard issue, and red anodised aluminium brake calipers will be exclusive to the GT. The car also gets an ESP stabilisation program that has been specially tuned to it.
A number of exclusive features are available as options for the R8 GT. Exterior options include two alternative wheels, a body-colour front splitter and a CFRP engine compartment lining. Carbon elements on the doors, the tunnel, in the cockpit and on the instrument panel are available as interior options.
Other items include a multifunction leather steering wheel, seat belts in red, orange or grey, floor mats with the R8 GT logo and CFRP door sill trims illuminated in red. Speaking of which, there are plenty of R8 GT logos about in and out of the car, which is available in four colours - Samoa Orange metallic, Suzuka Grey metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl effect.
A race package is available for racing enthusiasts. It includes a bolt-in roll bar in red or black, which has both road and type approval, as well as road-approved four-point belts, again in red or black, a fire extinguisher and a kill switch for the battery. An optional front bar module for motorsports evens includes a rotary lock for the four-point seatbelt and turns the roll bar into a full cage.
