- Audi reveals its 2011 R8 GT in Monte Carlo.
- The new model gets a direct-injection 5.2-liter V10 that delivers 560 horsepower.
- Pricing for a North American version of the R8 GT has not yet been announced.
MONACO — After its successful entry into the supercar ranks with the three-year-old R8, Audi is ratcheting up the performance potential of its midengine sports car with a new race-bred model, the 2011 Audi R8 GT.
Revealed today in Monte Carlo at a gala presentation attended by Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of Audi AG, the all-wheel-drive 2011 Audi R8 GT is based upon the V10-powered Audi R8 5.2 FSI and incorporates a number of innovations originally developed for the race-winning Audi R8 LMS, including lightweight components and a powered-up, direct-injection 5.2-liter V10 that delivers 560 horsepower.
To be produced in a limited run of just 333 at Quattro GmbH, Audi's high-performance division in Neckarsulm, Germany, the R8 GT has been conceived to rival the Porsche 911 GT3 and is aimed at customers intending to combine both road and track driving, with options such as high-performance tires, a bolt-in roll cage and four-point seatbelts available through official Audi sales channels in Europe.
Pricing for a North American version of the R8 GT has not yet been announced, but in Germany the R8 GT will sell for $67,000 more than the R8 5.2 FSI, which is priced at $255,500.
The Audi R8 GT's bodywork is visually distinguished from the standard R8 by a package of aerodynamic pieces developed in the wind tunnel for the R8 LMS. It includes a front splitter with downforce-generating flics on the front corners. Further additions include carbon-fiber housings for the outside mirrors and a fixed rear wing. Four standard exterior color schemes will be available: Ice Silver metallic, Phantom Black pearl, Samoa Orange and Suzuki Grey metallic.
The changes to the interior are more subtle, with altered instrument graphics, a new steering wheel, suede upholstery and door sills with R8 GT graphics.
As you'd expect, reduced weight is a key aspect of the R8 GT's performance, so acoustic insulation has been removed while thinner window glass and carbon-fiber panels also contribute to a 210-pound reduction in weight compared to the 3,362-pound R8 5.2 FSI.
The reduction in weight is complemented by a reworked version of Audi's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine, which has a redline of 8,700 rpm. Its 560 hp is developed at 8,000 rpm, representing a 35-hp increase. Torque has also increased marginally to 398 pound-feet at 6,500 rpm, a 6 lb-ft improvement.
Power flows to all four wheels through a strengthened version of the R8 V10's single-clutch automated manual transmission with its shift paddles on the steering wheel. In normal running, power is distributed to the wheels in a split of 15 percent front/85 percent rear, but the viscous center differential can change the proportion to 30 percent front/70 percent rear to improve front tire traction.
To cope with the added performance, the R8's suspension has been revised, featuring altered camber setting, a lower ride height and firmer springs and dampers. The set of 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels carry 235/35R19 tires in front and 295/30R19s in the rear, with wider 305/30R19s optional in the rear.
Audi's own performance data indicates the 2011 Audi R8 GT accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 3.6 seconds — 0.4 second quicker than the Porsche 911 GT3. The top speed of the Audi R8 GT is 199 mph, narrowly faster than the rival from Stuttgart as well.
Inside Line says: Less than a half-second quicker than the 911 GT3, but in the high-performance arena, every tenth counts. — Andreas Stahl, Correspondent
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stingray454 says:
05:08 PM, 05/03/2010
That's some serious coin. I can't see picking this over a Ferrari F430 Scuderia.
cr_driver says:
11:17 AM, 05/03/2010
U get 210 lbs less, 0.4 secs quicker to 60, 35 more horses, all for $67000 more -in Germany-?
Audi sure knows how to make more money LOL
half_ton says:
12:05 AM, 05/03/2010
More than one publication/article I've read suggest that the HP figures for the 5.2 R8 and the Lambo are closer than advertised so how much tuning Audi had to do here is anyone's guess.
@truecarfan
I also remember reading (on IL I think) that the reason there is no dual clutch tranny on this vehicle is mainly cost. Audi was only expecting to sell a small number of R8's each year so instead of developing a DCT for what will be a limited run of vehicles they opted for the single clutch unit already available.
ahsanman99 says:
07:22 PM, 05/02/2010
That is pretty high revving motor just like honda V-tec.must be nice.but i will still buy F430 Scuderia over this
smilez says:
06:53 PM, 05/02/2010
mdb20 -
Porsche 'tried' to own and take over VW, but they leveraged themselves too much and VW actually took a 40 something % stake in Porsche...if I'm not mistaken.
dino6 says:
05:47 PM, 05/02/2010
Looks like an Edmunds comparison test between the R8 GT, GT3, 458 and a Gallardo is in order. Perhaps in Europe. Don't let the car mags beat you to it Edmunds.
mdb20 says:
04:50 PM, 05/02/2010
@ junk4me
Porsche actually owns 50.7% of VW. Audi, Lambo, Bentley and Bugatti are all subsidiaries of VW.
cino_iconic says:
11:04 AM, 05/02/2010
They tried really hard to overpower GT-R. Sorry, but not GT-3 or GT-R will lose to that. Try again Audi.
alexdi says:
10:48 AM, 05/02/2010
A beautiful car, and probably divine to drive. The only problem is the 458. Ferrari has raised the bar so high that it's hard to see the value of anything else within hurling distance of $200K. Power, torque, redline, weight, price, and even styling: all to Ferrari. I'm a huge fan of the R8, but this GT just doesn't have enough motor to merit the price.
911chris says:
09:55 AM, 05/02/2010
Yeah that`s it!
Looks as good as the Lambo, simply gorgeous!
I want to hear the engine, if it also roars like the Lambo because the normal R8 is a bit to silent in my opinion. I´m really looking forward to seeing one of them on the road. =)