Audi R8 GT unveiled; To fight it out against the GT3s, Superleggeras and Scuderias

Posted by Harry on May 2nd, 2010 | No Comments

To keep pace with the demand for hardcore, track-day oriented supercars, Audi will launch a special version of the R8 christened R8 GT to go head to head with Porsche’s 911 GT3 and Lamborghini’s Gallardo Superleggera. Just 333 units will ever be made and we guess India might get a couple of them. The concept of an R8 GT was never on Audis agenda but Audis customers demanded a more focused version and the R8 GT was born.

The GT version comes with all the bells and whistles you would expect in terms of driver involvement – Stiffer chassis, revised aerodynamics and weight saving carbonfibre panels. As expected, the ideas have come from Audi’s R8 Le Mans Racing car. The Direct Injection 5.2L V10 engine is borrowed from the R8 V10 but has been boosted to 560bhp in the GT, the same as the LP 560-4. That endows the R8 GT with an impressive power-to-weight ratio of 367bhp per tonne, some 39bhp per tonne more than the 911 GT3 RS. Torque has risen by 7lb ft to 398lb ft at 6500rpm. Optional equipment will include a bolt-in roll cage, four-point race belts, fire extinguisher and kill switch for the battery.

All that power is channeled to four wheels via a beefed-up version of Audi’s six-speed R-tronic robotised manual ’box and a viscous coupling that provides a 15/85 front-rear torque split as standard. When more front end end grip is needed, the bias is 30/70. Audi has also equipped the GT with a standard mechanical locking rear differential with 25 per cent lock-up under acceleration and 40 per cent on the overrun.

Performance as one would expect is blistering with 100km/h coming up in just 3.6 sec, 0.3 faster than the R8 V10 and 0.4 earlier than the GT3 RS. Top speed is up by 2mph to 199mph thanks to weight savings of 95kgs. However, at 1525kg the GT is still 135kg heavier than the 911 GT3 and 185kg more than the Gallardo Superleggera. Suspension has been retuned and chassis reworked to take the extra grunt. It is expected to cost around Rs 2.5 crore (including taxes and duties) if it makes it to India. Start saving now as bookings open next month.