AUDI R8 GT PRICED FOR NORTH AMERICA

Audi’s R8 GT is headed for Mzansi sometime this year. It’s also going to the United States of America and they at least have pricing details already. Only 90 of the 333 units being built by Audi will see US soil. The number will without a doubt be much less for SA. US dealerships are putting a price tag of US$196 800 (R1.4 million) on their cars, compared to the standard R8 V10 which is designated at US$149 000 (R1.05 million) a piece. Audi South Africa sells the R8 V10 for R1.97 million standard today.

What’s so different about the R8 GT? Well, have a look at the pictures for instance. The exterior is different to the extent of a new matt titanium grille front grille, carbon fibre rear hatch, spoiler and diffuser, optional carbon-fibre reinforced ceramic brakes, and others. The main goal was to shed performance-sucking kilos and in total it lost 100kg.

The interior features low-weight seats covered in black Alcantara with red contrasting stitching, some carbon matte inlays, a white instrument cluster and even a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system. That’s a lot of speakers considering there’s just enough sitting space for two. How do you like that red roll cage and fire extinguisher?

Most importantly the engine was upgraded. Still lurking is the 5.2-litre naturally aspirated V10 which used to have 386kW but is now tuned up to 412kW and 540Nm of torque. Claimed 0 – 100km/h time is now 3.6 seconds and the top end is 320km/h. Audi uses the R Tronic sequential gearbox to send power to all four wheels via the quattro AWD system which can route up to 85% of torque to the rear wheels. R Tronic is essentially a manual gearbox without a clutch pedal, such that to drive it smoothly one has to treat the accelerator as if one was driving a three-pedal car manual by slightly lifting during gear changes.