Luxury Automobiles: This is the Audi R8 GT, a hardcore version of the popular German sports car! What is so special about this new version of the R8? Well, first of all we have a weight reduction of 100 kilograms (220.46 lb), which means the car weighs only 1,525 kilograms (3,362.05 lb).
The weight reduction was obtained using thinner glass, the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment, as well as the window in the rear hatch are made of strong, lightweight polycarbonate (these modifications brought a weight reduction of nine kilograms or 19.84 lb. The new rear wing saved another 1.2 kilograms (2.65 lb), thinner sheet metal and additional cutouts shaved 2.6 kilograms (5.73 lb). The rear hatch is now made using carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) (6.6 kilograms or 14.55 lb. The rear bumper and sideblades using the same carbon fiber-reinforced plastic save another 5.2 and 1.5 kilograms (11.46 and 3.31 lb). Under the hood we find the same V10 engine found on the R8 V10 5.2 Quattro but capable to develop 560 hp or 412 kW and 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. With these numbers the car can hit 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in 10.8 seconds while the top speed is limited to 320 km/h (198.84 mph).
Regarding the design, the car features numerous modifications such as matt titanium gray air intakes, matt black grille, the splitter under the bumper has a double lip and is made of carbon and curved flics at the corners of the nose in order to increase the downforce. Also, the car offers standard LED headlights, which use light-emitting diodes for all functions. The sideblades are made of matte carbon, the same material used for the reduced-size housing of the side mirrors. The rear of the car features a new fixed wing made using matte carbon, a larger diffuser made of carbon fiber composite, new tail lights using LED technology which now have dark housings with panes of clear glass. Also, we have new, larger round tailpipes. The design is completed by the 19-inch wheels featuring an exclusive five twin-spoke Y design in a titanium-look finish. The front fenders feature sport GT badges. The German manufacturer offers the Audi R8 GT in four body colors: Samoa Orange metallic, Suzuka Gray metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl effect.
Price of the car: 193,000!
Here is some other goodies the manufacturer offers: an automatic climate control system and power windows, a navigation system with MMI operating logic and a powerful sound system. A 465 watt, ten-channel Bang & Olufsen sound system, a CD changer and the Audi Music Interface are available as options. As always with Audi, the interior shows loving attention to detail. Rich materials spoil the occupants with a fine look and feel.
The ergonomic interior is adorned in sporty black and dark gray. The steering wheel, the headliner, the roof posts, the knee pad, the parking brake lever and the bucket seats are covered with Alcantara accented with contrasting stitching. A synthetic sharkskin-look material that feels slightly rough to the touch is applied to the bulkhead, the door liners, the instrument cowl and the dashboard. The monoposto the arch in the cockpit is made of matt carbon.
The instrument cluster features white dials with R8 GT badges. The newly designed selector lever is made of CFRP and aluminum; the center tunnel and the door liners sport decorative inlays in the body color. The door sills feature trims of matt aluminum decorated with the R8 GT logo.
A number of exclusive features are available as options for the R8 GT. Exterior options include two alternative wheels, a body-color front splitter and a CFRP engine compartment lining. Carbon elements on the doors, the tunnel, in the cockpit and on the instrument panel are available as interior options. Others include a multifunction leather steering wheel, seat belts in red, orange or gray, floor mats with the ?R8 GT logo and CFRP door sill trims illuminated in red. If desired, Audi will fit seats with carbon frames, which are somewhat lighter than the CFRP shells. The Alcantara seat covers are optionally available with an embroidered R8 GT logo.
A race package is available for racing enthusiasts. It includes a bolt-in roll bar in red or black, which has both road and type approval, as well as road-approved four-point belts in red or black, a fire extinguisher and a kill switch for the battery. An optional front bar module for motorsports evens includes a rotary lock for the four-point seatbelt and turns the roll bar into a full cage.
Buyers looking for more comfort and convenience can choose cell phone preparation with an innovative belt microphone. Audi also offers a full leather package, control elements in leather with contrasting stitching and a cruise control system as options. The parking aid is included with the standard equipment.
