'Competition' is an odd moniker for a new car. The implication is of race inspired track heroes, ready to compete as it were. But the reality has often been a little more tame. Most notably with BMW's 'Competition' packages on M cars and the Competizione spec Abarth 500s. Nice things but perhaps not entirely befitting of the name.
It's not a competition car without flics. Fact
Now there's an Audi R8 Competition (or competition, depends which part of the press release you read) and, wouldn't you know, there's much discussion about motorsport: "The limited edition Audi R8 Competition is the closest road car to our R8 LMS ultra race car that has won virtually every race around the world", so says Audi USA's president Scott Keogh.
So rear-wheel drive, much lighter and paddleshift only, right? Well, one of them applies. The R8 Competition has a 570hp version of the 5.2-litre V10, mated only to the seven-speed S Tronic gearbox. As the most powerful production R8 ever, it's capable of 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds and 199mph.
Audi claims the carbon fibre elements dotted across the car 'lower the weight of the R8 Competition and also provide greater downforce'. However, given actual figures for both are absent they are presumably very nominal improvements. Over an R8 V10 the Competition has a fixed rear wing, diffuser, front flics and spoiler in the expensive black stuff. It's plastered across the inside too, along with 'R8 competition' (lower-case 'c' this time) illuminated sills. Of more interest on the carbon theme will be standard ceramic brakes.
Audi will sell 60 R8 Competitions in America, with orders being taken from early November . As an 'Audi exclusive line vehicle' the customer will be able to pair all manner of exterior colours and wheel finishes 'for a striking look designed to meet driver needs and tastes'. Uh oh. We'll see the results early next year when the first Competitions arrive in America.