Audi R8 Plus 'selection 24h'

Audi cashes in on R8 racing success with roadgoing limited edition

Would you like to guess how many national and international race victories the Audi R8 LMS has achieved in both its generations since 2009? Nope, that's wrong. It's 323. Three hundred and twenty three! To mark this, plus to commemorate a year since the new car's debut (and win) at the Nurburgring 24-hour, Audi has created the 'selection 24h' R8 special edition.

As the name implies, there will be just 24 of these R8s produced. It's mechanically identical to an R8 V10 Plus, but then 610hp should be more than sufficient for living out your GT3 racing driver dreams.

As standard, the 24h edition will get the dynamic steering, magnetic ride and laser lighting that are optional on the regular R8. All 24 will be painted in Suzuka Grey with Mythos Black and Misano Red highlights, to make it look like a real racing car.

It also wouldn't be like a real racing car without some carbon fibre, so the special edition car has the shiny black stuff adorning the mirrors, rear wing, diffuser and sideblades. There's more inside too, plus 'R8 24h' logos and illuminated carbon sills with the serial numbers. Classy. There are also entry lights on the doors projecting the R8 logo. If you're a regular R8 customer and terribly jealous of this, Audi exclusive will soon be offering further personalisation with "a near unlimited range of lettering and logos" to illuminate the floor.

The R8 selection 24h will make its debut at - you've guessed it - the Nurburgring 24-hour in a couple of weeks. Orders are being taken from today though, at a price of 229,000 euros (£180,000). UK availability is TBC, but clearly there won't be many if we get them at all. Form an orderly queue R8 fans!