As limited edition models go they don't come much more exclusive than the latest offering from Audi Sport. Just 44 of these R8 V10's are being produced, with Audi calling it its most focused and capable version of their flagship sportscar ever.
The Audi Sport Performance Parts version of the Audi R8 is fitted with motorsport-proven enhancements that increase downforce and further reduce weight to give the 449kw naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine an even freer rein. As before, peak power is achieved at 8,250rpm, and thanks to quattro it will run from 0 to 100kph in 3.2secs and onto a top speed of 330kph. Just like the regular R8 V10 its body is still mostly aluminium but the entire lower central section of the tub, the lower B-posts, the sills are now carbon fibre.
Essentially Audi's take on a road-going-racecar, it comes with a carbon fibre aero kit and lightweight, fully milled multi-spoke black 20-inch wheels as well as three-way adjustable coilover suspension. Ceramic brake discs fitted to the front and rear feature a titanium backing plate to further reduce vehicle weight and work with specially enhanced brake pads for highly effective stopping power and even tougher fade resistance
An aero kit developed in the wind tunnel and made exclusively from CFRP gives a harder edge to virtually every facet of the car, most notably the rear where a large fixed rear wing and diffuser with red elements dominate, while side skirts incorporating the Audi Sport logo and special aerodynamic elements located behind the rear wheel arches focus airflow. At the front, more pronounced air inlets, a deep splitter and sculpted canards reminiscent of those fitted to the first generation Audi R8 GT finish off the package.
The effect is that at 330kph the special R8 generates 250kg of downforce, over 100kg more than the standard R8 V10 plus. At 150kph the effect is more pronounced, with the CFRP aero kit doubling downforce to 52kg.
Inside, the exclusive Sport contour steering wheel is trimmed in Alcantara with a red 12 o’clock marker. Features such as the Audi Smartphone Interface, a rear view camera and the Audi R8 sport exhaust are also added to the appropriately lengthy equipment list which already includes R8 bucket seats in perforated Fine Nappa leather, MMI Navigation, Audi connect online services and the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit.
No news on whether Audi South Africa will launch it locally but just 5 are being made available to the UK - finished exclusively in Misano red - at a price of £176 560 (ZAR 3.2million)
