The Audi R8 has been the key driver behind establishing Audi as a manufacturer of performance cars. The sports car has seen two generations and several models over the past 16 years. However, all good things must come to an end and the mid-engined sports car will soon be phased out in 2023. The R8 will be replaced by an all-electric sports car that is still some time away. That means this is our last chance to see the naturally aspirated V10 engine in all its glory. To celebrate this, Audi has revealed the R8 GT as a final farewell.
Limited to just 333 units, the final variant of the R8 is the most expensive Audi ever made. Painted in an exclusive matte Suzuka Grey, the R8 GT gets a bunch of cosmetic upgrades over the standard model. The wheels are 20-inch forged units wrapped in Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires and ceramic brakes. The new aerodynamic body kit is made in carbon fiber and the swan neck spoiler gets the same treatment. It also comes with blacked-out four rings and an ‘R8 GT’ badge on the back to remind you just how special this iteration of the R8 is.
The interior has a black theme with red accents. Underneath the gear lever is a number plate that indicates its feature. The seats have ‘R8 GT’ stitched in red, and the belts are finished in the same colour. Finally, the door sills and floor mats also get the same ‘R8 GT’ badge in red.
The biggest talking point of the R8 naturally has to be the 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 612 hp and 565 nm of torque. It comes with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox with reworked ratios and power is sent to the rear wheels making it the most powerful rear-wheel drive Audi ever. Thanks to a carbon fiber stabilizer bar on the front axle and other weight savings, the R8 GT weighs 1570 kg. 0-100 kmph takes 3.4 seconds while 0-200 kmph comes in 10.1 seconds. The top speed is 320 km per hour. The R8 GT comes with a ‘Torque Rear Drive’ mode that offers 7 levels of ‘slippage’. Understandably, level one offers less slipperiness while level seven offers much more slipperiness. The system distributes power to the rear axle by sensing road conditions using wheel sensors, accelerator input, steering rack, and the ECU.
Audi has allocated a limited number of R8 GTs for each country and we’re not sure if Indian roads will ever be graced with even one. However, the R8 GT marks the end of an era and the mid-engined sports car will certainly be missed. Here’s hoping the electric R8 successor retains some of that essence.
