Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 Edition launched
Five cars, 610hp, £180k...
If you can remember Audi Sport Performance Parts press release of 363 days ago, then bravo on excellent recall. In it Audi disclosed a raft of upgrades for the TT and R8, including braided brake lines, forged wheels, aero kits and naughty exhausts. It was a distinctly un-Audi move, and rather appealing as a result.
A year later and there's this, the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 Edition, a sort of added value meal of Audi Sport add-ons. Because it sort of has everything you possibly could option on to an R8 via Audi Sport, though the value is maybe a point to return to...
For those with an interest in motorsport, this 610hp R8 Plus (plus a lot more) is very interesting. The aerokit may not be the most elegant in the world, but it contributes to 250kg of downforce at top speed, more than 100kg extra compared to a regular Plus. The kit is fully carbon and, in a nod to another very rare mid-engined Audi, features canards said to evoke the first-gen R8 GT.
The multi-spoke, 20-inch wheels are fully milled (a technology first introduced in the RS5), shod in Michelin Cup 2 tyres and are said to save up to 8kg compared to standard R8 wheels. And we all know how beneficial reductions in unsprung mass can be. Arguably of greater interest is Audi's decision to fit the ASPPR8E with three-way adjustable coilovers for "full adjustability on road and track." That will be manually adjustable too; pretty cool to dorks like us, surely anathema to those R8 customers who would tick the mag ride box without a second's hesitation. Ceramic discs are standard, too, with titanium backing plates for weight reduction and new pads as well for "highly effective stopping power and even tougher fade resistance."
It's a pretty serious overhaul, then, this Audi Sport R8, seemingly making good on the claims of "genetic links with motorsport." That said, the aesthetic is undone a little by the standard Fine Nappa leather, Audi connect online services and Audi Smartphone Interface. Just 44 will be produced for the entire world, with five Misano Red cars coming to the UK.
The price is £176,560, or £35,360 more than a mechanically identical R8 V10 Plus. Which is quite a lot, although carbon aero parts don't come cheap, and neither do ceramic brakes, or good coilovers... So perhaps it might be good value. The five will be allocated on a first come, first served basis, but available at all 115 Audi dealerships. So, er, best move fast!
Nice dampers, would always take these over an active set up. However, I bet they also fit the s
tty active steering too, which is dire. It seems dealers work wonders with the 'tick the sports option' box so you get 2 things I don't want (active dampers/st steering) and 1 thing I do, loud shouty exhaust. I wonder what the 3 year Audi residual is on this car....scary as the standard one?
All 5 UK cars (2 via Audi Birmingham) were sold last week (@ full price) before
yesterdays press release.
There may well be a £premium to be had if any of the 5 come up for sale...
...and the increased downforce generated by the aero kit makes the car balistic on track...
...and all 5 are probably rarer than any other limited edition car you can mention?
Your customers are here, bit of openness perhaps as to your agenda Mr/Mrs first post?
PR circle w
ks are no endearing to petrolhead's, they become more tiring and frustrating with each new one....and nice to see you/Audi realise the dynamic steering is s
te.I owned the previous gen R8, and as nice as they are, they ain't worth £180k. Far more exotic machinery around for that price.
For looks, the second gen R8 looks awful. Definitely a step back in exterior design.
Good car still, but needs work to make it really good in Mk2 form but that V10....that is as good as engines get and s
ts on ANY McLaren engine today, even if the rest of the car is mixed.
It is quite lovely, though. No doubt about it.
The only thing that gets me about the R8 range is this; and I'm probably in a minority here, but the most tempting of the lot over the years would, to me, be one of the manual V8 models (same engine as the RS4); that package is very appealing IMO.
Posters who simply pitch up, have 15 goes at getting their first post right and then just regurgitate 'interested party' lines are worthy of derision. You have said lots, but said nothing. Either you'll be back at school soon or you'll tell us which part of Audi you work for....or which jet wash puts the best swirl marks on my Audi when they let you wash it?
Nah, thought not.
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