Monday, May 3, 2010

Less Weight, More Power: Limited-Edition R8 GT



Decrease the weight, and increase the power. It’s the same notion that has made such supercars as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera better performers than their progenitors. And now Audi’s applied the same formula to its R8.

To make the R8 GT, Audi has fitted thinner glass (replacing that giant rear window over the engine bay with a plastic one) and replaced many of the aluminum body panels with carbon fiber, shedding 220 lbs off the curb weight. Meanwhile, the German automaker has increased output from the 5.2-liter V10 from 525 horsepower to 560. Mated to the R-Tronic semi-automatic transmission, the R8 GT runs from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.6 seconds and tops out just shy of 200 miles per hour.

Audi will only make 333 examples of the R8 GT, selling for €193,000 ($256,000) apiece.

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