Audi launches special edition of R8 Coupe

One year ago the Audi R8 LMS won the 24 Hours Nürburgring on its debut. To commemorate that victory and a tally of 323 wins since 2009, the brand is launching the R8 “selection 24h” special edition.

In the Le Mans 24 Hours alone, Audi has accumulated 13 overall wins in the past 15 years. The first five of these were clinched by the R8 sports prototype while the GT3 racing car Audi R8 LMS, which made its competition debut in 2009, has collected over 300 wins worldwide, including overall wins in 24-hour races on the Nürburgring, at Spa-Francorchamps and Zolder, and in Dubai.

Based on the Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus, the special edition car’s 5.2-liter V10 mid-engine develops 610 bhp and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, and is capable of hitting a top speed of 330 km/h. That makes it both the fastest and most powerful production Audi of all time. A newly developed quattro drive distributes power equitably between both sets of wheels while the suspension, aerodynamics and the Audi virtual cockpit are all motorsport-inspired.

Developed in parallel with the GT3 racing model R8 LMS, the second generation R8 benefited from close cooperation between racing engineers, motorsport specialists and developers. The combination of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP) in the Audi Space Frame result in a dry weight of less than 1.5 tonnes.

The “selection 24h” special edition also features dynamic steering, adaptive damper control system, Audi magnetic ride and Audi laser lighting. It also receives a tricolour paint finish consisting of Suzuka gray as the basic color, with mythos black and Misano red highlights.

The front spoiler, the exterior mirror housings, the engine compartment cover, the rear wing and the diffuser are made from gloss-finish carbon fiber. The same applies to the sideblades with matt-finish “R8 24h” logo.

The tailpipes of the sport exhaust system feature black trims and the 20-inch forged aluminum wheels in 10-spoke Y design are painted gloss anthracite black. Inside, the limited-edition model offers full-leather upholstery and trim in the color rotor gray, with Alcantara headlining.

The air vents and the extended inlays for the surround of the Audi virtual cockpit are made of gloss-finish CFRP. The latter also bear the matt-finish “R8 24h” logo. The illuminated door sill trims are also made of gloss-finish carbon.

Audi will only produce 24 units of the car. Each of them will display the serial numbers 1 to 24 signifying their status as limited edition cars. As an exclusive feature of the limited edition, the entry lights on the doors project the Audi R8 logo onto the road surface.

The Audi R8 “selection 24h” will be on view to the public for the first time at the AUDI AG presentation area in the paddock at the 24 Hours Nürburgring.

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