Audi presents the R8 GT

The R8 GT will be limited to just 333 units, and features the same 5.2-litre V10 engine as the R8 V10. However, the R8 GT is 100kg lighter than the R8 V10, measuring in at 1525kg. As a result, the R8 GT is able to go from 0-100km/h in 3.6 seconds, and reach a top speed of 320km/h.

Audi explained the weight saving measures as such, "The windshield of the R8 GT is made of thinner glass; the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment, as well as the window in the rear hatch are made of strong, lightweight polycarbonate. These three modifications saved nine kilograms. The fixed rear wing is good for an additional 1.2 kilograms, thinner sheet metal and additional cut-outs shaved 2.6 kilograms from the aluminium hatch over the 100 litre luggage compartment at the front of the car. The long rear hatch is made of carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) - an advantage of 6.6 kilograms. The rear bumper and the side blades of this same material save an additional 5.2 and 1.5 kilograms respectively."

"The engineers also fought to shave every possible gram of weight from the technical components of R8. They shaved one kilogram from the power brake system, four kilograms from the aluminium caps of the brake discs and 9.4 kilograms from the battery. The engineers also found 2.3 kilograms in the air intake module and 2.8 kilograms in the insulation of the engine compartment. The interior also harboured substantial weight-savings potential. The new, lightweight carpeting accounts for 7.9 kilograms, the bucket seats with a chassis of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) account for 31.5 kilograms. Numerous additional detailed measures targeted the interior, the exterior and the technology, such as higher-grade, lighter steel for the exhaust system's tailpipes."

Modifications to the V10 engine's electronics mean that the car is now able to put out an extra 35bhp, for a final power output of 560bhp. Torque has also been increased by 10Nm to 540Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels through a 6-speed R-tronic sequential manual transmission.

The central viscous coupling located at the front differential sends 15 percent of the power to the front axle and 85 percent to the rear axle under normal driving conditions, and as much as 30 percent to the front wheels if necessary. There is also a mechanical locking differential at the rear axle.

The R8 GT features a manually adjustable coil-over suspension as standard, which lowers the body by as much as 10 millimetres. The GT also gets a specially tuned ESP stabilization program that can be switched into a Sport mode at the push of a button to allow oversteer when accelerating out of a corner. Carbon fibre ceramic brakes that measure 380 millimetres in front and 356 millimetres at the rear are fitted, along with red anodized aluminium callipers.

In terms of looks, the R8 GT gets 19-inch forged alloy wheels, a titanium and matte black look for the grille, a new front bumper with a carbon splitter and side blades, new LED headlamps, matte carbon side blades and exterior mirrors, GT badges, a fixed rear wing finished in matte carbon and a new rear diffuser. The R8 GT is available in four body colours, Samoa Orange metallic, Suzuka Gray metallic, Ice Silver metallic and Phantom Black pearl effect.

Inside, the R8 GT's steering wheel, headliner, roof posts, knee pad, parking brake lever and bucket seats are all covered with Alcantara accented with contrasting stitching, while a synthetic sharkskin-look material is applied to the bulkhead, the door liners, the instrument cowl and the dashboard. There are also carbon fibre decorative trim and a newly designed selector lever made of CFRP.

Audi also offers a special race package for owners who want to use the R8 GT on the track. The package includes a 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. An optional front bar module can be specified which includes a rotary lock for the four-point seatbelt and turns the roll bar into a full cage.