2012 Audi R8 GT

Our pulse still flutters each time we start up a 10 cylinder in spite of how many times we do it. It’s not just because of the distinctive sound or the piped up vibration that gives our blood flow a kick start – it’s the build up of anticipation. It could be a Viper, M5 or Gallardo, whichever one it may be, a V10 guarantees power that is intoxicating and exciting.

One such engine is the brand new Audi R8 GT which is a 5.2 litre V10. It has a power plant rated at 560 horsepower and is mounted in a monocoque chassis of magnesium and aluminium. In 3.6 seconds the coupe goes up to 60 mph prior to hitting an aerodynamic wall just short of 200 mph with a sequential gearbox and an all wheel drive. Audi states that it is the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the line-up that they offer.

The making of the Audi R8 GT was not an easy-going task. The R8 was first placed on a diet by Audi and had lost 180 pounds. Attention was then focused on the power plant where engines were the 5.2 litre V10 was coaxed by engines to deliver another 35 horsepower. The brakes, underpinnings and suspension were enhanced while a new set of commands were given to the all wheel drive system and automatic gearbox. One of a kind make-up touches were then applied and help to boost the performance and appearance of the R8.

Seeing that Audi has a limited number of the R8 GT with only 333 copies around the world (90 of them luckily falling into the United States), we are considered to be a few of the fortunate Sonoma, California’s Infineon Raceway journalists to have the world’s latest sensation pace on a racing circuit.

The R8 GT is $39,000 more than the standard R8 5.2 and is $87,000 more than the R8 4.2.

The Audi R8 road car arrived in the United States first as a 2008 model year and is usually confused with the winning automaker’s R8 Le Mans Prototype race car. The exotic two-seat debuted as the flagship of the German automakers and as it shared groundwork with the Lamborghini Gallardo, it was offered as their most expensive. With the technology of Audi Space Frame keeping relatively low weight and the all wheel drive for grip of Quattro, the performance was an impressive one despite that it was a bit slow in power – a 4.2 litre V8 rated at 42 hp was standard fitment. Shortly after, a more 5.2 litre V10 arrived which was more powerful. Though it added some extra weight, its performance geared it into the supercar category of the R8. The top of the coupe was taken off in 2009 when the R8 Spyder variant first appeared at the motor show in Frankfurt.

The German automakers publicized that they had a new R8 undergoing development, last spring when the flagship sports car of Audi was almost in its fourth year. By losing some weight, redoing the brakes and suspension and boosting power the company made a promise to inject new performance levels into the R8, which is not on schedule to be replaced until the year 2014.