Photo: CarPix
When we see Audi R8s covered in camouflage, it's only natural to think of the second generation model. After a very successful and long career, quattro GmbH will replace its current sportscar/supercar with an all-new model that's coming around mid-2015. It's traditional to send off such an amazing machine with a special edition model and for a long time now, we thought the R8 LMX was that car.
Our spies stationed in Germany have contradicted us today with these five spy photos that show a brand new R8 prototype. It's not the new R8 for 2015, but a road-going GT3 racer that Audi will launch very soon.
The design of the prototype is dominated by aero elements. There are blades in the front bumper, much wider side skirts and a massive adjustable wing bolted onto the boot. A diffuser protruded from the rear to let you know that this R8 means serious business. Some of the elements remind us of the R8 LMS Ultra GT3 racecar, which could be because Audi wants to celebrate the end of its very successful career.
Audi actually got the V10 block from Lamborghini, who just pushed it to 610 horsepower in the Huracan. However, our GT3 lookalike won't have any more than 570 horsepower, the same number achieved by the LMX. Think of this as the 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo facelift, but with Audi badges.
That's the upside, the downside is that hearing the R8's swan song could cost you somewhere in the region of €200,000. Expect production to be strictly limited at 333 units and a debut to take place during January's Detroit Auto Show.
The design of the prototype is dominated by aero elements. There are blades in the front bumper, much wider side skirts and a massive adjustable wing bolted onto the boot. A diffuser protruded from the rear to let you know that this R8 means serious business. Some of the elements remind us of the R8 LMS Ultra GT3 racecar, which could be because Audi wants to celebrate the end of its very successful career.
The ultimate German V10
Since no BMW or Mercedes car offers a V10 engine, we should consider this the ultimate 10-cylinder. How do we know it's a V10? Because of the side blades behind the doors, which are flared out. It's the little things I tell you!Audi actually got the V10 block from Lamborghini, who just pushed it to 610 horsepower in the Huracan. However, our GT3 lookalike won't have any more than 570 horsepower, the same number achieved by the LMX. Think of this as the 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo facelift, but with Audi badges.
The swan song
An ancient Greek myth suggests the swan puts on a beautiful final performance right before it kicks the bucket. This is going to be true for the final edition of the R8. Every cool aero element you see in these pictures will be made out of carbon fiber, while the headlights likely use the new laser technology, a nod to the R18 e-tron quattro race car that won Le Mans this year.That's the upside, the downside is that hearing the R8's swan song could cost you somewhere in the region of €200,000. Expect production to be strictly limited at 333 units and a debut to take place during January's Detroit Auto Show.
Google News