R8 RS? Spied..

[ianerrid]

Auto Express magazine in the UK have some pictures of what they believe is a RS version of the R8 at a german petrol station. FRom the pics it is pretty obviously an engineering hack as it has the exhausts, side vents and rear polycarbonate from the LMS and agressive but unfinished skirts and spoilers. They are speculating it is going to be 2wd and a Superleggera competitor.

[jy7785a]

did someone miss the memo on the R8 GT?

[Bodhii]

did someone miss the memo on the R8 GT?

I don't see the R8 GT as a serious "RS" version of the R8. It has only a relatively small weight loss, and it is not really set up as a more serious track/street car. And it remains AWD, with all of that extra weight. In no way can a 3362 LB. car represent a true "RS" model.

There is a serious opportunity for Audi to maximize the competitive rivalry between itself and Porsche, by developing a true Audi R8 version of Porsche's great "RS" model. This would inspire many new R8 sales to a completely new and more serious sports car segment, that has previously remained loyal to obsolete rear-engine RS model 911's.

BTW,.. I don't really see Lamborghini as a part of this at all other than having shared components with the R8. Though very capable, their owners never seem very serious as track enthusiasts.

[NR8]

Yes, that is true indeed - Audi has decided to build a limited 2wd successor of the R8GT. It will arrive in the markets after the GTs have been delivered (so in 2012), will be lighter and more hp. And they are even thinking to top that with another, further stripped down version a year afterwards (2013). All before the new R8 with DSG will hit the markets in 2014.

[Bodhii]

NR8, would you mind showing us the source of your information. It's OK if its in German.

I do know that Audi did build a test model of this type car, but I have never seen any real supporting material from a legitimate source. Often, auto journalists write something as fact that they only think will happen. Honest speculation, and honest facts are often very different things.

[OEMplus.com]

I agree with Bodhii. Would like to see/read more about these models...

[harrison]

Competitor to the Superleggera...'Gotta love that., but would the cost be even higher than the SL ??

[NR8]

There is no official source that I can attach. My first source is from Audi board level and my second is from the Audi race experts with whom I did the R8 LMS track day. The 2wd drive is named internally GT-X, the succesor GT-Z. DSG was confirmed as well by both sources. The GT-X will come for sure, demand for GT-Z is to be tested by marketing / market research.

[Bodhii]

NR8, much thanks for the extra info.

It must have been a blast! Which of the four training programs have you completed? Was your R8 LMS set up with 2 seats? Were you ever allowed to drive it at 9/10-10/10 speeds? I know the final program allows the student/ driver to participate in a race at the VLN Endurance Championship on the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife. All very cool.,,, Now that's living the dream!


Any photos?

[NR8]

Hi Bodhii, can't post pics due to the current site malfunction but I posted them already in some other thread ("Drove the R8 LMS"). I did the first of the LMS training experiences called race experience. It's a preparational training and after succesful completion you receive the license that allows you to participate in national (German) races (up to 8 hour races). The LMS had two seats, full cage and we were allowed to hit the road in any way we'd like to - the trainer was with us in the car however and I guess he would have interfered with any action not in line with our capabilities. :-)

Now I am infected and thinking about the 2nd stage training, but it costs around 4,500 Euros which is quite some money...