Audi has pulled the wraps off its fastest-ever road-going production car - the R8 GT. It's a modified R8 V10 with a more powerful engine and lighter body and the chassis has been tweaked to further improve the sublime handling. It also gets unique styling and extra equipment.
The standard R8 V10 pumps out a hearty 519bhp, but Audi's engineers have turned up the heat to 553bhp for the GT. There's also another 8lb.ft of torque (up to 398lb.ft) and the German firm has used lighter materials such as thinner glass, carbon fibre and less carpet to shave 100kg off the standard R8 V10's 1,625kg kerb weight.
That all adds up to a scorching 0-62mph time of 3.6 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the standard car) and a top speed of 199mph (up by 2mph).
The GT still gets Audi's quattro four-wheel drive system and tweaks to the chassis include manually adjustable suspension, enormous carbon ceramic brakes and a new ESP system with a Sport button that loosens up the driving aids. A manual gearbox isn't on the cards though, as the GT only comes with Audi's R tronic semi-automatic transmission.
It might be geared towards driving nuts and be a whole lot lighter, but the R8 GT isn't short on creature comforts. A Bang & Olufsen sound system, satnav and climate control are just a few of the plentiful extras. Those who fancy testing their mettle on the track can also specify a roll cage.
You'll need deep pockets and a friendly dealer to buy one, though. Prices start at £142,585 and Audi will only build 333 examples - 33 of which will make it to the UK.
