Wednesday 5th May 2010

Audi Reveals Super-Hardcore R8 GT

Limited Edition 199mph R8 will be fastest Audi road car ever

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Audi has revealed its fastest-ever road car – the 199mph, 552bhp R8 GT.

Just 33 R8 GTs are heading to the UK, out of a global production run of 333 and at a price of £142,585 (£38,775 more than the ‘standard’ V10).

While the R8 GT only gains 34bhp and 7lb ft of torque, Audi has shaved 100kg from the R8’s kerb weight, resulting in an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 362bhp per ton. The power is channelled via the R-tronic automated manual transmission (no manual option is available), and is enough to catapult the flyweight R8 to 62mph in just 3.6secs (an improvement of 0.3secs) and on to 124mph in a mere 10.8secs.

The weight-saving programme, inspired by the R8 LMS GT3 racer, involves cutting mass from mechanical, interior and bodywork components. Bodywork tweaks include 9kg shaved from a thinner windscreen, 6.6kg saved by using carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) for the rear ‘bonnet’, while a CFRP rear bumper cuts 5.2kg and a fixed rear wing drops the weight by 1.2kg.

Inside there are various tweaks, most impressive of which are lightweight carpeting (-7.9kg) and GRP bucket seats (-31.5kg).

The technical components of the R8 GT have not been ignored either. The brake system shaves off 1kg, the aluminium caps of the brake discs 4kg, the battery is 9.4kg lighter, and 2.3kg have been cut from the air intake module.

There are chassis tweaks, too. The R8 GT’s hydraulic, power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering has a more direct ratio, while a manually adjustable coilover suspension, which lowers the body by as much as 10 millimetres, is also standard, and higher front and rear wheel camber rates also help to boost agility.

The ESP has been specifically tuned to the R8 GT and can be switched into a Sport mode that allows a degree of oversteer when accelerating out of a corner.

Carbon fibre ceramic brake discs with GT-exclusive red callipers will be fitted as standard.

The first cars will be delivered to customers in spring 2011.

 

 

[nelly_h]

When making the fastest Audi ever, you'd think they'd make a little more effort and get that last extra mph

[adz13091982]

Got to be honest - I think the standard V10 is more than ample for 99% of drivers. This looks a bit Ripspeed and a marketing ploy!

[MiniMan64]

Disappointed.

If you're going to do a balls out version do it properly.

[ManOpener]

I think that looks cracking, particularly the rear spoiler. 3.6 to 60 isn't bad either.

[neon_fox]

Since when is 1524 Kg "flyweight"?

[TheRoadWarrior]

Offset fail. Looks like they fitted 4 front wheels.



and PH.. "Brake disc caps"?? Do you mean "hats"?

[adycav]

I prefer the look of the 'standard' one myself, especially without the daft contrasting 'side blades' or whatever they are called.

As a drive it willbe interesting to see how it stacks up to a GT3, amongst other things.

[Remagel2507]

MiniMan64 said:

Disappointed.

If you're going to do a balls out version do it properly.

Agreed - why lumber a 'lightweight' version with the R-Tronic gearbox ?

I bet it will be a good car but this like all R8's just doesnt do it for me, I just dont like them

[davidcharles]

nice idea but if i had £143k to spend on a car or 2 , i don't think i would be after a bodykitted R8.

..but i could see how some would like it

[briSk]

Probably quite good but again i think it misses the point the r8 is (apparently) a good car because of it's usability. it's the only real alternative to a 997 (with possible exception of V* Vantages).

so i guess if they're broadening the range then that makes it more Carreraish but from a marketing point of view i don;t think it's 'mature enough' so it'll be more like the ContiGT in that people will just buy a different model because 'it;s the new one' rather than necessarily attracting sales from elsewhere.

i like r8s but seeing this after the spyder version does make the 'blade' thingy look quite 2000s and faddy.

[Insight]

They made 333 of them, 33 for the UK market...
Why don't they make it do 333kmh, 0-60 in 3.3 seconds, have 33hp extra and cost £33k more?

Actually, the Audi logo has 4 rings, maybe they should make 444 and let it do 444kmh.

[MogulBoy]

Some fairly impressive weight savings there, (Porsche take note) but it's inevitable that such things will always be expensive in low volumes.

Loving the new supports for the door mirrors...



Why no manual option though? Or 2WD? That would presumably save a bit more?

Overall I'm a bit undewhelmned by these launch photos... It certainly lacks much of the drama of the R8 LMS GT3 version but that was probably inevitable...

Edited by MogulBoy on Wednesday 5th May 13:39

[gezkc]

I really wasn't into the R8 when it was first launched (something not quite right about those strange side panels), but its looks are really starting to grow on me.
I certainly wouldn't say no to this one.

[Matt_]

What a beast!

[wackojacko]

It seems such a shame that it can't crack 200

[Portrait]

I thought the standard V10 could do over 200mph? On a par with the Gallardo LP560.

Could be wrong though.

[Stu R]

gezkc said:

I really wasn't into the R8 when it was first launched (something not quite right about those strange side panels), but its looks are really starting to grow on me.
I certainly wouldn't say no to this one.

Much the same story here, starting to warm to them a little. Still not sold on the silly side blade thing. This one looks like a good laugh though.

[the Fantom]

Pistonheads said:

Inside there are various tweaks, most impressive of which are lightweight carpeting (-7.9kg) and GRP bucket seats (-31.5kg).

Blimey, the original seats must be heavy weight armchairs.

[scubadude]

I do like to see manufacturers lightening cars (although why make them so heavy to begin with) but you have to be skeptical when they remove EXACTLY 100kilos (from a 1600kg car)

I wonder how much lighter you could make it if you really wanted to impact the acceleration/handling?
Clearly there is a limit if you still want a useable road car but it would be nice to have the option for full on stripped interior and lightened components, I'd wager there is another couple of hundred kilos of "fluff" to be had for a Really Hardcoire version :-)

[p1doc]

looks very nice
martin