Based on the V10, but more powerful and lighter, the GT is aimed directly at the likes of the Porsche 911 GT3 RS and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera. The 5.2 litre engine has been up-rated to 553 bhp (412 kW / 560 PS), while a strict diet has dropped the weight by around 100 kg.
As a result, the R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph). That’s actually not much of an improvement on the standard V10, which does 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and goes onto 196 mph.
But it would have been embarrassing had the R8 ended up outpacing its very close cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, which takes 3.4 seconds to do the 0-100 km/h sprint and tops out at 202 mph.
Changes to the chassis should mean the R8 GT is able to use its enhanced power to best effect though, particularly on track days. Taking inspiration from the R8 LMS racer, the GT features manually adjustable coilover suspension with higher front and rear wheel camber rates to sharpen the handling. Carbon fibre ceramic brake disks are standard, and the 19” forged wheels can be shod with Cup tyres which, Audi says, ‘offer the ultimate in performance on dry roads’ (i.e. they’re probably semi-slicks that are useless in the wet).
When rumours first started circulating about the R8 GT, some thought it might also replicate the rear-wheel drive of the R8 LMS. But the quattro all-wheel drive system remains, albeit with only 15% of the engine’s power going to the front wheels under normal driving conditions, increasing to 30% if necessary.
A rear axle mechanical locking differential further improves traction, providing up to 25% lockup under acceleration and up to 40% on the overrun. The electronic traction control has been specially tuned, and a Sport mode allows ‘spectacular, but safe, oversteer when accelerating out of a corner’. The system can even be switched off altogether. Gear changes in the R8 GT are handled by the 'R tronic' sequential manual transmission.
However, it remains that anyone wanting a purely rear-wheel drive R8 is either going to have to hope that Audi eventually produces one, or alternatively consider the R8 GT3-2 from tuners MTM.
Visually, the R8 GT is distinguished by the carbon fibre-reinforced plastic rear hatch, rear bumper and side blades. The front splitter has a double lip and is made of carbon fibre, while curved elements at the corners of the nose increase downforce on the front axle. Aerodynamics at the rear are taken care of by a fixed wing made of matte carbon fibre.
For those owners wishing to do track days, or even compete in their R8 GT, an optional race package is available. It includes a bolt-in roll bar, four-point seat belts, a fire extinguisher and a battery kill switch. An additional front bar module turns the roll bar into a full cage.
Production of the R8 GT will be limited to 333 units, of which 33 are coming to the UK. It’s expected to cost about £40,000 more than the £103,810 Audi charges for a standard R8 V10 with manual transmission.
That’s a massive premium, which could almost buy a TT RS Coupé instead, but even so it’s doubtful Audi UK will have much trouble selling its allocation.
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