Audi R8 GT

 When the R8 was unveiled to the world in 2006, it blew people away with its supreme blend of everyday practicality and supercar power. Now, in 2010, Audi is planning something bolder and faster. Enter the Audi R8 GT. The GT version sheds 100 kgs of weight, with the V10 developing a better 552 bhp figure and 55 kgm of pure torque. That results in a 362 bhp/tonne figure, 0-100 kph in 3.6 sec and a near-320 kph top speed. Yes, as the headline says, it is the fastest road-going Audi ever.

To complete the GT, Audi put in some sinister touches to the bodywork. New carbon-fibre splitter, carbon fibre ‘sideblades’ and the customary rear diffuser certainly step up the game in the look department. Usually, the more the carbon fibre, the better!the carbon fibre, the better!

R8 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, Audirevealed 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 thetechnology, 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.

UDI has just made the world’s best sports car even better. The AUDI R8 GT – a stripped down & pumped up version of the award winning AUDI R8 V10. AUDI has applied its very successful race car – R8 LMS technology in creating yet another masterpiece.

The R8 GT frame has been lightened up by 100 kilos without loosing its rigidity which seriously adds to the performance of the car. The car now uses a thinner glass windshield, polycarbonate rear windows and replaces many aluminum body panels with carbon fiber. The total weight savings adds up to 220 pounds of the standard curb weight.

The 5.2 L V10 engine has been re tuned to produce 560 horsepower a significant increase from 525 horsepower, which makes this car even more powerful than its cousin Lamborghini Gallardo. The engine is coupled to a modern R-Tronic hydraulically actuated semi-automatic transmission which can propel the car from a standstill to 100 kmph in just 3.6 seconds and 200 kmph in 10.8 seconds and this goes on until the car reaches a top speed of 320 kmph.

To add to the exclusivity of the car, AUDI has decided to produce only 333 units of this model. Each car will have its serial number engraved on the gear knob to make it a little bit special. The car is priced at €193,000 in Germany.

OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

The R8 high-performance sports car is a winner – from the start. This applies to the production models, winner of the “World Performance Car” Award in 2008 (R8) and 2010 (R8 V10), as well as for the racing car, the R8 LMS, winning in his first season, 23 runs and won three championships. The genes of the racing version now come to the streets – with the R8 GT. The exclusive range is limited to 333 copies, each R8 GT wears a badge with his number on the gear knob.

Lightweight construction: 100 kg weight reduction 
Already the standard R8 5.2 FSI quattro represents the lightweight philosophy of the brand with the four rings of example. Its aluminum body, the Audi Space Frame construction designed ASF, weighs only 210 kilograms. A framework of extruded profiles and cast nodes integrated aluminum sheets form-and force, the motor frame is made of ultra light magnesium.

The ASF body is in a complex manufacturing process in Neckarsulm plant built largely by hand. With their extremely high strength, it lays the basis for the precise handling of high-performance sports car, it also enjoys good vibration comfort and optimum crash safety.

Thanks to the ASF body brings the R8 5.2 FSI quattro from the series only 1625 kilos on the scales – with the quattro permanent four-wheel drive and the optional R tronic. Correspondingly difficult the task was to save weight again in a big way, for the engineers. It broke with a complex approach which included all areas of the vehicle – at the end of which hovered the pointer of the scales in 1525 a kilogram.

The windscreen of the R8 GT is made of thinner glass, the glass partition between the passenger and engine compartment and the cell plate in the tailgate of lightweight and durable polycarbonate. These three changes take nine kilograms savings. The rigid rear wing is good for another 1.2 kilograms, with the aluminum cover on the 100 liter luggage compartment in the bow could be through thin metal sheet and additional excerpts save 2.6 kilograms.

The long tailgate is made of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CRP) – an advantage of 6.6 kg. A further 5.2 or 1.5 kg in control of the rear bumper and the sideblades, which consist of the same material. With its minimal weight and ultra high strength carbon fiber is the ideal material for a high-performance sports car, Audi has stored in its use of broad competence.

Even with the technology components of the R8, the engineers were fighting for every gram of weight. When they came for a brake booster kilograms, in the aluminum pans of the brake discs of four kilograms and 9.4 kilograms of the battery. The module for the air intake, they found 2.3 kilograms and the insulation of the engine compartment 2.8 kilograms.

Inside, there was also considerable weight to lift potential. The new carpet is a light at 7.9 kilograms in the balance sheet, bucket seats, the chassis made of fiberglass-reinforced plastic (GRP), is at 31.5 kilograms. There were also many other detailed measures in the interior, exterior and in technology – such as high-quality lightweight steel for the exhaust tailpipes.

Even sharper and more effective: The Design 
The design of the Audi R8 GT is the expression of concentrated power – the beauty of the technical sculpture to 4.43 meters, 1.93 meters wide and only 1.24 meters high. The exterior has seen numerous modifications, which further sharpen the look. Many of them also reduce the weight and improve aerodynamics. The R8 GT produced at high speeds even more downforce than the production model – without his drag coefficient (0.36), and its frontal area (1.99 m2) were grown by it.

The frame of the single-frame grille, his striving and the slats in the air intakes are presented in matt titanium gray, and the bars in the grill is painted matte black. The splitter below the bumper has a double lip and consists of carbon. Slender, curved at the edges of the front Flics increase the downforce on the front – and are also made of carbon fiber composite material.

A highlight of the R8 GT is standard LED lights that realize all the functions with LEDs. Their light is bright and homogeneous, their life and their high energy consumption low. Even the look of the headlights to be attractive and distinctive. Daytime running lights, each consisting of 24 LEDs appear as a continuous band, the reflectors are reminiscent of open shells.

The predominant element of the side view are the sideblades, which direct the air to the engine – even when they are made from frosted R8 GT Carbon. The same material used in the case of the smaller mirrors are used, whose bases are made of aluminum. The 19-inch wheels carry decorate an exclusive five-spoke Y-design in titanium finish; “GT” lettering, the front fenders.

At the rear are the revisions are particularly significant, starting with the fixed wing in matte carbon. marked new are the vents on both sides of the tailgate and the bumper made of carbon fiber and integrates large, circular exhaust tailpipes and exhaust vents for the wheel arches. The larger diffuser is made of carbon fiber composite material, the aperture plate and the wide slats at the rear are presented in matt titanium gray. The rear lights, also built in LED technology have dark enclosure with clear glass panes.

Audi R8 GT is for the four exterior colors to choose from. They are called Samoa Orange Metallic, Suzuka matt effect, Ice Silver Metallic and Phantom Black, pearl effect.

Breathtaking strong: the 5.2 FSI with 412 kW (560 hp) 
The revised V10 with its red-painted cylinder head covers give the Audi R8 GT breathtaking performance. The sprint from a standstill on main roads, speed is checked off in 3.6 seconds from zero to 200 km / h is the value to 10.8 seconds. And then also holds the powerful propulsion – until top speed of 320 km / h.

Changes in the engine electronics to push the performance of the ten-cylinder engine, which draws from 5204 cm3 to 26 kW to 412 kW (560 hp). The torque curve peaks at 540 Nm at 6,500 trips, 10 Nm more than with the standard version. The V10 achieves a specific output of 79.2 kW (107.6 hp) per liter displacement. Its power to weight ratio amounts to 3.70 kg per kW, equal to 2.72 kilograms per hp, the maximum speed is located at 8700 1/min.

The long stroke (bore x stroke 84.5 x 92.8 millimeters), which is built in the Hungarian plant in Györ hand, has a crankcase of a lightweight yet high-strength aluminum-silicon alloy. A bed plate – a framework for the lower bearing brackets of the crankshaft – increases further its stiffness. The complete engine weighs only 258 kilograms. Its characteristics include a cylinder angle of 90 degrees and the dry sump lubrication, which works with a highly efficient oil pump module. Both solutions reduce the emphasis on, raising the driving dynamics.

The crankshaft is designed as a common-pin-shaft: The piston rod of the opposite attack on a common crankpin, thereby resulting in alternately Zündabstände of 54 and 90 degrees. This very special rhythm gives the V10’s sound fascinating – a great technical music, almost like in motorsport. Two flaps in the exhaust modulate their volume and timbre depending on load and speed.

For every 100 km of the naturally aspirated engine consumes on average 13.7 liters of fuel – a high efficiency, given the immense power. The FSI petrol direct injection fuel with up to 120 bar pressure in the combustion chambers. The mixture verwirbelnde cools the cylinder walls and thus enables a compression 12.5: 1 A variable intake manifold and continuous adjustment of the chain-driven camshafts provide for rich filling of the combustion chambers. Fold in the induction ports support the mixture of education, by enabling the inflowing air into a cylindrical movement.

The power transmission: Traction without compromise 
The gear change in the sequential manual gearbox concerned R8 GT R tronic. The electrohydraulic clutch and shift unit receives its orders electrically. She changes her six speeds much faster than an experienced driver could – at a high load and speed within a tenth of a second.

The electronic management keeps a ready automatic operation with the sport and normal maps and two manual level. To his control of the short lever serve on the center tunnel and two paddles on the steering wheel. For maximum thrust during start ensures the Launch Control – a program that manages the full acceleration with a high starting speed and minimal tire slippage.

The permanent quattro all-wheel drive is the ideal technology for a high-performance sports car. Its central viscous coupling, placed at the front axle differential distributes the forces under normal driving the V10 in the ratio 15: 85 between front and rear axle. This pattern blends perfectly with the weight of the Audi R8 GT, which is 43 to 57 percent. If necessary, the coupling within a few milliseconds, sends up to 30 percent of the torque to the front. At the rear, a mechanical limited-slip differential improves traction further, it reached 25 percent in train action and at 40 percent thrust.

The chassis: Not firmer, more precise 
High-performance sports car, the Audi R8 GT is a stunning driving machine with lateral acceleration and lightning-fast, almost instantaneous responses. Its engine is in the middle, close to the vertical axis, its mass is in rapid changes of direction was not significant. The R8 GT goes into any situation dynamic, precise and stable.

The suspension follows the classic design from motorsport – double wishbone, manufactured from aluminum, lead the wheels. The hydraulic power-steering rack is 16.3: 1 translated directly, it gives the driver a sensitive and closely with the road. A manually adjustable coil-over suspension is standard – it puts the body by up to 10 millimeters. Increased camber on the front and rear wheels make the handling even a touch more agile than the standard model.

The 19-inch forged wheels have the size 8.5 J x 19 front and 11 J x 19 rear, and are covered with tires in size 235/35 or 295/30. On request, Audi mounted on the rear axle and the dimension 305/30, together with optional wheels. For motorsport fans Cup tires are ready – they offer ultimate performance on dry roads.

Standard Audi mounted internally ventilated brake disks made from carbon fiber ceramic. You are standing and extremely wear resistant and very easy to build, with the same format they weigh nine kilograms less than their steel counterparts. The front axle is the diameter 380 at the rear axle 356 millimeters, and the friction rings are bolted on resilient elements with the pots made of stainless steel. The aluminum brake calipers – at the front with six pistons – are exclusive to the R8 GT, anodized red.

The matched to the R8 GT ESP stabilization system can be switched by pressing a button on a sport mode that allows the throttle on corner exit a spectacular, but hard to oversteer. For a trip to the racetrack, the driver can switch off the system completely.

Exclusive dynamic: interior and equipment 
weight reduction ie Audi increase the performance and efficiency, but not waiver – the R8 GT, the Audi in Germany 193 000 € offer for, has a climate control and power windows, navigation system with MMI control logic and a powerful sound system on board. Optionally, a 465-watt sound system Ten point of Bang & Olufsen, a CD changer or the Audi Music Interface for election. The interior is as always with the brand, with great attention to small details, processed, consuming spoiled with fine materials look and feel.

The ergonomic interior is designed in a sporty black and dark gray. The steering wheel, the roof, the roof beams, the knee pad, the hand brake lever and the bucket seats are clad in Alcantara, contrast stitching accents. A synthetic material in “shark skin appearance”, which feels slightly rough comes on the back wall in the door panels, on the Instrumentenhutze and the instrument panel is used. The “monoposto” – the bow on the instrument panel – is made of matt carbon.

The instrument cluster dials with white integrated “R8 GT” lettering. The newly designed selector lever is made of carbon fiber and aluminum, the center console and door panels take decorative strips in car color. In the sills sill plates are made of matte aluminum, they are also decorated with the “GT R8″ logo.

In options for the R8 GT is exclusive features. For the exterior, there are two alternative wheels, a front splitter in the body color and a matte carbon fiber engine compartment lining in the election. Inside, there are carbon-fiber components on the doors, on the tunnel, in the cockpit and the instrument board. There are also a multi-function steering wheel, belts in red, orange or gray, floor mats with “R8 GT” lettering and red light carbon fiber door sills. On request, Audi fitted seats with frames made of carbon, the building still slightly lighter than the fiberglass shells, in their Alcantara covers the optional text “R8 GT” is embroidered.

For racing enthusiasts customer is a race package. This includes a bolt on roll bars in red or black, both for road use as well as a homologation, has also street-legal four-point belts in red or black, with a fire extinguisher and an emergency switch for the battery. For motor sport events can be supplied on request, a front bracket module that turns the roll bar a full cage and a four-point belt screw cap covers. Who is looking for more convenience you can order a Handyvorbreitung with innovative Gurtmikrofon. In addition, Audi presents an all-leather appointments, controls in leather with Kontrastnäthen and a speed control system is part of the election, the PDC has the basic equipment.