Audi R8 GT – more power, less weight and stunning acceleration
Audi R8 GT was one of the best sports cars available on the market. It combined excellent balance, power-to-weight ratio and last, but not least a beautiful exterior. Now, Audi revealed the R8 GT, which boasts more power, less weight and is significantly faster.
The power unit is the well-known 5.2 liter V10 FSI boosted to 560hp. The weight reduction is extraordinary – R8 GT is nearly 100 (220.46 lb) kilograms lighter, than the original version. All these upgrades, of course, reflect to the acceleration – 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and the top speed is increased to 320 km/h (198.84 mph). In other very important discipline for the sports cars R8 GT is just so good as in everything else - zero to 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in 10.8 seconds.
The average fuel consumption of the monster is only 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg), which is very good value for such enormous power.
The additional power came from upgrading the engine electronics. The torque is also rised to 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) at 6 500 rpm. The specific power output of 5.2 liter V10 is 107.6 hp (79.2 kW) per liter displacement. Its power-to-weight ratio is 2.72 kilograms (6.00 lb) per hp. The engine redlines at 8 700 rpm.
Audi R8 GT is limited to only 333 units and each of the vehicles has a badge with its production number on the shift lever knob.
The lightweight construction philosophy already presents in the production of R8 5.2 FSI. Its aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body weighs only 210 kilograms (462.97 lb). Also the aluminum body panels are joined to the frame of extruded profiles and cast nodes by means of positive and friction connections. Last, the engine frame is made of ultra lightweight magnesium.
Thanks to all above R8 5.2FSI quattro weighs 1 625 kilograms (3 582.51 lb), including quattro permanent all-wheel drive and optional R tronic transmission.
To make additional weight savings the engineers had to make quite an effort.
First, the windshield of Audi R8 GT is made of thinner glass. Second, the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment and third, the window in the rear hatch are made of strong, lightweight polycarbonate. These three upgrades saved 9 kilograms (19.84 lb).
After that, the fixed rear wing is good for an additional 1.2 kilograms (2.65 lb); thinner sheet metal and additional cutouts shaved 2.6 kilograms (5.73 lb) from the aluminum hatch over the 100 liter (3.53 cu ft) luggage compartment at the front of the car.
The long rear hatch is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – an additional 6.6 kilograms (14.55 lb). The rear bumper and the sideblades of this same material save an additional 5.2 and 1.5 kilograms (11.46 and 3.31 lb), respectively.
Because every single kilogram is so important, the engineers shaved one kilogram (2.20 lb) from the power brake system, four kilograms (8.82 lb) from the aluminum caps of the brake discs and 9.4 kilograms (20.72 lb) from the battery. The engineers also found 2.3 kilograms (5.07 lb) in the air intake module and 2.8 kilograms (6.17 lb) in the insulation of the engine compartment.
The interior also harbored substantial weight-savings potential. The new, lightweight carpeting accounts for 7.9 kilograms (17.42 lb); the bucket seats with a chassis of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) account for 31.5 kilograms (69.45 lb). Numerous additional detailed measures targeted the interior, the exterior and the technology, such as higher-grade, lighter steel for the exhaust system's tailpipes.
The result is total weight of 1,525 kilograms (3 362.05 lb).
The exterior is an expression of concentrated power. Dimensions of a pure sports car - 4.43 meters (14.53 ft) long, 1.93 meters (6.33 ft) wide and only 1.23 meters (4.04 ft) high. With improved design, R8 GT is not only more beautiful, but it is more effective – it produces more downforce when driven fast than the production model – without any increase in the Cd value (0.36) or frontal area (1.99 m2) (21.42 sq ft).
The standard LED headlights are just stunning feature in the R8 GT. The light-emitting diodes are used for all functions. They produce more light, have a long service life and low energy consumption.
The car stands on big 19" forged wheels feature an exclusive five twin-spoke Y design in a titanium-look finish. The rims are 8.5J x 19" up front and 11J x 19" at the rear fitted with 235/35 and 295/30, respectively. Additionally, the 305/30 tires together with optional wheels on the rear axle are available upon request.
The options for body colors are: Orange metallic, Suzuka Gray metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl effect.
The standard equipment of Audi R8 GT includes an automatic climate control system and power windows, a navigation system with MMI operating logic and a powerful sound system. Additionally the 465 watt, ten-channel Bang & Olufsen sound system, a CD changer and the Audi Music Interface can be ordered as options.
The 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. The "monoposto" – the arch in the cockpit – is made of matt carbon.
To distinguish R8 GT from the original one, The instrument cluster features white dials with "R8 GT" badges. The door sills feature trims of matt aluminum decorated with the "R8 GT" logo, too.
Some of the options for Audi R8 GT are two alternative wheels, a body-color front splitter and a CFRP engine compartment lining. Inside you can order 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. The Alcantara seat covers are optionally available with an embroidered "R8 GT" logo.
If you think that R8 GT is sporty enough, the racing enthusiasts does not, so there is a race package consisting of 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. Of course, there is options here, too. The front bar module for motorsports events includes a rotary lock for the four-point seatbelt and turns the roll bar into a full cage.
A super car has it's super price and it is €193 000, that much costs Audi R8 GT, but it worth every single cent.
