Like most manufacturers of premium cars in those days on the pounds to lose in their flagship showcase their skills off to a severe cut indeed the basic model, which appeal to a broad audience to build must be and is always built to a target costs. Manufacturers such as Porsche has long been known and this can be seen in their series of 911 cars. They base that is the Carrera S, which then in the GT3, the GT3 RS, then. Each model in the performance a little more than the last, up to a point where it goes far enough and a lot of weight loss is the key to improved performance.
So now, Audi has created a lighter version of the R8 flagship coupe and call it the R8 GT. This car weighs 1525kgs compared to the R8 V8 4.2 weighs 1625kgs. As if listening to a 100 kg weight loss in a car from the already lightweight aluminum alloy, not enough, Audi said that the car will be used with the V10 engine in the very course called R8 V10. So we have an extra power connected with weight loss.
Now for the details of weight loss, I find it interesting. The R8 GT has a thinner windshield. The glass used between the cab and the engine compartment and the trunk lid is replaced with polycarbonate Plexiglas. All the above took 9 kg from the car. Remove the rear spoiler is now in CRP, approximately 1.2 kg. Thinner aluminum sheet and additional cuts were the aluminum flap for front luggage compartment saved produced 2.6 kg.
The rear hatch for the engine is now replaced by carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and removed another 6.6 kg on the rear axle. The rear bumper and side blades is (R8′s design features also clearly visible) also saves CRP and 5.2 kg and 1.5 kg.
As a German, very effective and close to the point of suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder, they also attacked the mechanical components of the R8. They shaved 1 kg from the brake system, 4 kg of rotor caps, battery 9.4 kg, 2.3 kg and 2.8 kg from the intake of the engine compartment insulation. The exhaust system also uses a simplified design and construction.
They also discussed the interior and carpet used in the R8 GT weighs 7.9 kilograms lighter than a good before. How can so much easier carpet as a small car? R8 was the substrate with a very thick carpet? They threw normal electrically adjustable sports seats and seats that have been used more as a race car and lost a very significant 31.5kgs.
The R8 GT comes with the 5.2liter V10 and Audi have messed with him, and it now produces 560bhp, 525bhp against. The torque is 10 Nm to 540 nm taken from everything and has 0-100km / h in 3.6 seconds, 0-200km / h in 10.8 seconds with a top speed of 320 kph (198.4 mph).
The manual gearbox is in the R-Tronic sequential transmission R8GT use. It is carried out essentially a manual transmission with a magnetic clutch electro-hydraulic and works through a change speed pedal Flappy. The shift to full song lasts only 1/10th of a second. As is common in cars these days, there are two automatic modes and in both modes in the manual gear changes. Launch control is also added and all of these systems through a transmission channel, which accounts for 15% of power at the front axle and 85% rear, so the R8 GT very one-sided back. Of course, up to 30% of the propulsive force can be channeled to the front when needed.
Other than that, Audi mounted light ventilated discs made of carbon-ceramic brakes on the R8 GT .. Together they weigh 9 kg less than their steel the same size. They measure 380 millimeters (14.96 inches) in diameter at the front axle and 356 millimeters (14.02 inches) on the back.
The 19-inch forged wheels 8.5 J x 19 front and 11J x 19 rear and are shod with 235/35 and 295/30 tires in size respectively. Audi will mount 305/30 tires with rims on the rear axle option on request. Cup tires, which offer the ultimate performance on dry roads are for racing fans.
Only 333 are available worldwide and Audi have not indicated whether they drive into the right-hand drive for those of us on this side of the road produced. I hope they do, it is a carefully-designed car, which by the driving of us should be assessed on the “right” side of the road.