Audi Drops the Top on Extreme R8 GT Spyder with 560HP V10

Audi continues to expand its vehicle range filling every possible niche in the market. After the recent debut of the A6 Avant, today, the Ingolstadt-based automaker revealed the convertible version of its hardcore R8 GT coupe, which was launched as a limited edition model in 2010 with only 333 cars being produced. The new R8 GT Spyder follows the same recipe featuring a more powerful V10 engine and a lighter body.

Power comes from an updated version of the standard car’s 5.2-liter V10 engine with a modified ECU that helps lift output from 525HP and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) to 560HP and 540 Nm (398.28 lb-ft) of torque at 6,500 rpm. An R tronic sequential manual transmission and Audi’s quattro permanent all-wheel drive system with a strong rear-wheel bias completes the setup.

Read more »

SCOOP: Audi’s Über R8 GT Spyder Hits the ‘Ring

There’s a new Audi model coming to town. We’re talking about the 2012 R8 GT Spyder that will make its global premiere at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and which we caught testing in and around the Nurburgring racetrack in Germany. Even though Audi recently teased us with a set of renderings, these are some of the first real life photos of the R8 GT Spyder, which is seen here in prototype guise.

Read more »

Project Kahn's Lil' R8 is a dressed up Audi TT

Given the huge price difference between Audi’s two core sports coupe models, the mainstream TT and the niche R8, it doesn’t come to much of a surprise that many tuners have tried to offer the first a taste of the latter, both in terms of performance and styling. In the case of Project Kahn’s newest tuning take on the Audi TT, the goal was to flavor the small coupe with some R8 seasoning. Read more »

MTM Geneva Show Display Includes Fastest Audi R8 with 777HP and TT RS with 472HP

Among the many tuning firms making their way to the Geneva Motor Show is VW Group specialist MTM. The German company will display two heavily modified Audi models, based on the R8 V10 and the TT RS. The most impressive proposal is the one-off MTM R8 Biturbo that comes with a polished chrome body that took over 700 working hours to complete. A large fixed spoiler at the back along with 20-inch forged rims and carbon fiber parts round off the exterior changes.

However, the most striking aspect of the tune is hidden underneath the shiny body as MTM has modified the V10 engine to produce a whopping 777-horses and 888 Nm (655 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.0 seconds. The R8 BiTurbo also accelerates from naught to 200km/h (124mph) in 9.37 seconds and to 300 km/h (186mph) in 19.42 seconds, en route to a top speed 350km/h (218mph).

The conversion also includes an adjustable sports suspension and massive MTM brakes with 8-piston calipers at the front and rear axle. Currently a one-off model, the MTM R8 Biturbo is said to cost over €400,000 or about US$550,500.

MTM's second tuned vehicle is the TT RS that sports a 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five producing 472-horsepower that was recently tested at Nardo achieving a top speed of 312km/h (194mph).

MTM TT RS
Power output (max.): 472 hp (347 kW) at 7000 rpmTorque (max.): 600 Nm at 4400 rpm
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 3,9 s
Top speed: 312 km/h
Brakes: MTM brake VA 380 x 34mm, dimpled, 8-piston calipers
Wheels: 20'' MTM Schmiederad im BIMOTO Design
Price: 84.166 Euro (incl. tax and installation)

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________