Audi R8 V10 GT

In 2006, Audi made the World drool when they released the Audi R8, with its longitudinally mounted mid engine 4.2 litre V8 developing 414bhp and 430mn of torque propelling its 1,560kg aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, and to a top speed of 301km/h.
But that was just the beginning. Two years later, Audi pushed the human’s capacity to drool even further by implanting a 5.2 litre V10 powerplant in the aluminum monocoque, pushing its performances even further. The engine brought the weight to 1,620kg but upped the power to 518bhp and 530mn of torque, dropping the 0-100km/h to 3.9 seconds and making it max out at 317km/h.
And the German manufacturer decided that leaving the world knee-deep in drool still wasn’t enough. So their upped the bidding by releasing the spyder version of the R8…

If you thought you were now safe, think again. Introducing the R8 V10 GT.

Ferrari has Scuderia, Lamborghini the Superleggera and AMG the Black Series. Now Audi has the GT.
Ask anybody what are the magic factors to play on to make a car better than it already is, the answer is always the same: up with the power, down with the weight, and better aerodynamics. Well guess what? That’s exactly what Audi did!

The 5.2 litre V10 engine (that actually comes from Lamborghini, but don’t say it out loud as they don’t want the R8 GT to compete with the Gallardo LP650-4) now develops 560bhp, and comes available with an R-Tronic semi-automatic gearbox. Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system is balanced to 15% power delivery on the front and 85% on the rear (in average). traction in the rear is improved by a mechanic differential.

Weight-wise, the diet has been harsh, but the results satisfying: the R8 V10 GT boasts 100kg less than the standard V10. This feat had been achieved through the extensive use of carbon fiber, replacing the heavy glass window with polycarbonate and a battery that is 9.4kg lighter.

The R8 GT has its looks and aerodynamics improved compared to the previous versions thanks to a carbon fiber spoiler, canards and air scoops in the sideblades behind the doors.
Inside the car, things have changed too, with the heavier materials giving way to lightweight carbon fiber. But even after this strict diet, Audi still treats us with the Bang & Olufsen audio system and MMI interface.

Taking all these new changes and strapping the together on the space frame, we finally get to see the overall picture: the 5.2 litre V10 blasts the car from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds and up to a speed of 320km/h. Interestingly, that makes it outperform the Gallardo…
The Italian supercar gets yet another slap in the face when reading the R8 GT’s lower price tag of €193,000 in Germany.

Looking at this, the question that arises is: will the R8 V10 GT cannibalize the Lamborghini Gallardo?
The answer is… No. The main reason being that this German supercar will only be produced in a limited edition of 333 units.

In the end, the intentions of Audi have now been made clear: they want to drown the World in its own drool.

More pictures in the gallery - Next page

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