The R8 GT Says Goodbye to the V10 Engine
The new R8 GT is limited to 333 units worldwide.
Twelve years after the premiere of the first Audi R8 GT, Audi Sport GmbH is launching the second edition of this exclusive super sports car: the new Audi R8 Coupe V10 GT RWD. The 5.2 liter, naturally aspirated V10 engine’s output has increased to 602 horsepower making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive unit in the history of the brand. A new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for faster shifts.
Compared with the R8 V10 performance RWD with 562 HP, which forms the basis for the second edition of the R8 GT, Audi Sport GmbH is increasing the performance of the special model in order to bring it up to the same level as the quattro model. Specifically, this means: 602 HP from 10 cylinders, 5.2 liters of displacement, and 413 lb-ft of torque. As a result, the new R8 GT accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.4 seconds, reaches the 200 km/h (124 mph) mark in just 10.1 seconds, and reaches a top track speed of up to 320 km/h (199 mph).
To make the car more fun without risking an expensive insurance claim, the R8 has been fitted with a new Torque Rear Drive Mode. This is like a variable traction control system as is quickly becoming common in the sports car industry, with Level 1 providing the least amount of slip. As your skills improve and you get more comfortable performing drifts, you simply turn the dial on the steering wheel to unlock more freedom. Level 7 is where the car “allows a lot of slippage.”
Further enhancing the car’s agility is a new carbon fiber reinforced plastic anti-roll bar that is paired with two coupling rod connections made of red anodized aluminum, and if you want to be more hardcore, adjustable coilover suspension is available.
There’s also less weight to lug around, thanks to “various measures.” These have dropped the curb weight by around 44 pounds for a new total of 3,461 lbs, while standard ceramic brakes ensure you come to a stop with minimal effort. Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires are also available, with these fitted to exclusive 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels.
Other unique aesthetic upgrades include a black-painted intake manifold and a Carbon Aerokit. This kit is made up of a front splitter, side flics (canards), side skirt covers, rear bumper uprights, a diffuser, and a gooseneck rear wing that has been aerodynamically optimized.
In reference to the first R8 GT, the launch color is matte Suzuka Gray, but Tangorot Metallic and Daytona Gray Metallic are also available.
Inside, the homage continues with a black and red combination. Red seatbelts that were exclusive to the R8 GT of 12 years ago are also thrown in, while the floor mats and bucket seats get more black and red highlights in the form of model-specific logos.
And in the center of the gear selector lever, the sequential numbering of the R8 GT is proudly displayed in a partially matted area of the carbon fiber inlay, informing your passenger which of the 333 examples is yours. That allocation refers to a worldwide total, so this will be a rare car in any country.
