The Audi R8 now also comes in a GT RWD version, a limited series of 333 units that further highlights the numerous talents of this sports car. Roadness had the opportunity to test it at the Pau Arnos circuit in the Pyrenees.
Concept
This isn’t the first time Audi R8 has received a GT variant. Back in 2011, the first-generation served as the basis for an exclusive premium version, celebrating Audi Sport’s numerous GT racing successes. Similar to that time, this series is limited to 333 units, although now, Ingolstadt limits it to the R8 Coupe exclusively. Among this limited edition, 333 units are allocated worldwide. The price? €245,00.
The Audi R8 V10 GT RWD’s body features black badges along with a carbon fiber aero kit, which includes wind tunnel-developed aerodynamic components such as the splitter under the nose, front bumper winglets, a swan-neck rear wing, and more. The GT is only available as a Coupe and is offered in Suzuka Gray, Tangorot Metallic, and Daytona Grey Metallic colors. The interior combines a lot of black with red accents, such as those used for the lightweight sport seats’ seatbelt.
The Audi R8 V10 GT RWD is the latest model to be equipped with the 5.2-liter naturally aspirated V10 engine, producing a maximum power of 620 hp and a maximum torque of 570 Nm. This power is exclusively sent to the rear wheels through a new iteration of the seven-speed dual-clutch automated gearbox, promising even faster gear changes and stronger acceleration thanks to modified gear ratios. These specifications translate into impressive performance figures.
The Audi R8 V10 GT RWD accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 10.1 seconds, with a top speed of 320 km/h. To bring it to a halt in time, this Audi R8 is equipped with standard carbon-ceramic brakes, filling the special 20-inch ten-spoke wheels that can be fitted with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tires.
Driving Experience
The Audi R8 V10 Coupe GT RWD also benefits from several weight-saving measures, reducing its weight by approximately 20 kg, bringing it down to 1570 kg. The dedicated Performance suspension can be optionally paired with an adjustable lifting kit, allowing you to fine-tune compression and rebound based on your driving style and the characteristics of the track where you’re taking this Audi R8.
In pursuit of additional thrills for the rear-wheel-drive powertrain, Audi Sport introduces the Torque Rear Drive mode, in which the traction control interprets various parameters to control the degree of drift. The system operates with seven levels of permitted slip, from stable and controlled to transversal and aggressive. However, there’s still an electronic safety net because an Audi R8 V10 GT RWD remains a beast.
As you start pushing the pace, you’ll notice that this version is cut from a tougher cloth. Despite all the changes, the Audi R8 V10 GT RWD doesn’t aim to be a track-focused racer like, for example, the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Instead, it wants to showcase what it’s capable of, even without the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. On the Pau-Arnos circuit near Pau, the GT RWD feels immediately familiar. It’s only when you push the pace that you realize this version is more aggressive.
The front end, liberated from the powertrain, finds grip a bit quicker, the brakes bite a bit harder, and thanks to the propulsion and the revised gearbox with shorter ratios, the Audi R8 V10 GT RWD turns in faster and stiffens up more aggressively, working wonders for your lap times. But it’s the experience that makes the biggest leaps, with a chassis that beautifully defines itself and communicates exceptionally well what it intends to do. And that’s a good thing because the speed at which you take this fierce beast from one apex to another leaves little room for errors.
Verdict
The Audi R8 has been around for a while, but various evolutions and upgrades allow the German athlete to remain remarkably fit and enjoyable. If this GT RWD demonstrates anything, it’s that it improves with age. It shows that a sporty Audi doesn’t necessarily need Quattro all-wheel drive to shine, as we’ve seen with the technically close Lamborghini Huracan.
If the Audi R8 used to be your trusty friend that quickly made ordinary drivers feel like race car drivers, the GT RWD flips the script. Skilled drivers seeking an extra edge have a formula they can fully control. Those lacking those driving skills must be particularly respectful of this immense performance potential because this horse bites when you let go of the reins.
Michael Trajan
