Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 is an R8 V10 plus with less weight and more downforce

The Audi R8 isn't your ordinary car. Bred with motorsport DNA, the R8 is a supercar that promises to fulfill the performance cravings of many. Now, Audi is introducing the most capable and most focused Audi R8 model to date – the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8.

This special edition is essentially an Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe draped with the full Audi Sport Performance Parts package. Through the new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8, the German premium carmaker wants to prove that performance isn’t just a function of power, but is also achieved through aerodynamic enhancements and lower weight.

As for power, the new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 features the same engine as the Audi R8 V10 plus Coupe – a naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V-10 engine that delivers 610 PS (602 hp) of max output and 413 lb.-ft. of peak torque available at 6,500 rpm. While having the same power at hand with the R8 V10 plus Coupe, the new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 offers greater performance by increasing the amount of generated downforce and by chopping off some weight from the already light base car.

To make the new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8, Audi Sport sought to increase the generated downforce by installing a number of aerodynamics-augmenting elements, which also enhances the visual appeal of the limited edition model. The Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 is gifted with a CFRP aero kit that was developed in the wind tunnel. This aero kit includes more pronounced air inlets up front, a deep splitter and sculpted canards as well as a large fixed rear wing and diffuser with red elements, side skirts with the Audi Sport logo. Special aerodynamic elements are also found behind the rear wheel arches. All of these aerodynamic elements help the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 generate 52 kg of downforce at 93 mph, and 250 kg of downforce at 205 mph.

Using CFRP as material for the aero kit helps save overall weight, and so are fully milled multi-spoke black 20-inch wheels. Losing 8 kg of unsprung mass, these rims are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires measuring 245/30 on the front and 305/30 profile rear. The new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 rides on a lightweight three-way coilover suspension with stopping power served by ceramic brake discs featuring a titanium backing plate.

The driver of the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 is treated to an exclusive Alcantara-trimmed Sport contour steering wheel with a red 12 o’clock marker. The equipment list for the special edition includes R8 bucket seats in perforated Fine Nappa leather, Audi connect online services, fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit, MMI Navigation, a rear view camera, Audi Smartphone Interface and the Audi R8 sport exhaust.

Audi Sport is offering just 44 examples of the Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 around the world, five of which are right-hand drive units bound for the United Kingdom. These five special edition R8 models has a price of £176,560 OTR. Ordering is strictly in first come, first served basis.

PRESS RELEASE

Just five Audi R8 V10 plus Coupé models featuring the full Audi Sport Performance Parts package will come to the UK

Five unique Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 Editions bound for the UK
Featuring three-way adjustable coilover suspension, downforce-enhancing CFRP aero kit and lightweight 20-inch fully milled wheels with cup tyres
Naturally aspirated V10 with 610PS and 560Nm
Each of the five examples will be finished exclusively in Misano red and priced at £176,560 OTR
Devotees of the Audi R8 in the UK will have just five chances to secure a particularly special Audi Sport Performance Parts version of the acclaimed supercar that will be the most capable and focused to date. In the new Audi Sport Performance Parts R8 proof that performance isn’t purely a function of power output will be delivered to dramatic effect through motorsport-proven enhancements that significantly increase downforce and further pare back weight to give the 610PS V10 an even freer rein. Just 44 examples of this pinnacle of R8 performance are being offered worldwide by Audi Sport, of which five will come to the UK in right hand drive form. Each example is priced at £176,560 OTR, and all feature the same exceptional specification that ratchets up exclusivity for this ultimate Audi racing car for the road.

A multitude of add-on components immediately mark out the Audi Sport Performance Parts version, bringing the car’s close genetic links with motorsport into even sharper relief not only visually but also dynamically by further enhancing high speed cornering ability.

An aero kit developed in the wind tunnel and made exclusively from CFRP gives a harder edge to virtually every facet of the car, most notably the rear where a large fixed rear wing and diffuser with red elements dominate, while side skirts incorporating the Audi Sport logo and special aerodynamic elements located behind the rear wheel arches focus airflow. At the front, more pronounced air inlets, a deep splitter and sculpted canards reminiscent of those fitted to the first generation Audi R8 GT finish off the package.

All aerodynamic elements contribute to a significant increase in downforce; at 205mph, the R8 generates 250kg, over 100kg more than the standard R8 V10 plus. At 93mph the effect is more pronounced, with the CFRP aero kit doubling downforce to 52kg.

Fully milled multi-spoke black 20-inch wheels save up to 8kg in weight to significantly reduce unsprung mass. They are shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres with a 245/30 profile upfront and 305/30 profile at the rear. A lightweight three-way coilover suspension setup is also fitted for full adjustability on road and track. Ceramic brake discs fitted to the front and rear feature a titanium backing plate to further reduce vehicle weight and work with specially enhanced brake pads for highly effective stopping power and even tougher fade resistance.

Inside, the exclusive Sport contour steering wheel is trimmed in Alcantara with a red 12 o’clock marker. Features such as the Audi Smartphone Interface, a rear view camera and the Audi R8 sport exhaust are also added to the appropriately lengthy equipment list which already includes R8 bucket seats in perforated Fine Nappa leather, MMI Navigation, Audi connect online services and the fully digital Audi Virtual Cockpit.

The five UK specification examples of this very special R8 are offered by Audi Sport on a strictly first come, first served basis and enquiries can be made via any of the 115 Audi Centres nationwide.