Final V10-powered Audi R8 revealed with multiple drift modes

The Audi R8 was deleted from Australian showrooms 12 months ago but customers in the US and Europe will be treated to one final version of the underrated V10 supercar.

The 2023 Audi R8 GT RWD is slightly lighter than the last R8 offered in Australia and fitted with a number of unique features including multiple drift modes.

Designed to farewell the second-generation Audi R8 before it’s replaced by an all-new battery-powered R8 e-tron with in-hub electric motors, the R8 GT is powered by Audi’s tried-and-tested 5.2-litre V10, which is shared with vehicles like the Lamborghini Huracan.

Blessed with 449kW/565Nm outputs – the naturally-aspirated V10’s most powerful state of tune, at least in an Audi – and pumping through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Audi R8 GT is strictly a rear-wheel drive model and features a version of the brand’s ‘torque splitter’ rear diff that made its debut in the new Audi RS 3.

It provides the Audi R8 GT with seven different ‘slippage’ settings for the rear axle. “Level one allows little slippage, while level seven allows a lot of slippage,” reads the official Audi explanation for what is essentially a selectable drift mode system.

The system is controlled via an Formula 1-style rotary dial on the steering wheel, which is fitting given the German brand will join the F1 circus in 2026.

Audi says a number of alterations reduce the R8 GT’s kerb weight by around 20kg to 1570kg, such as unique 20-inch alloy wheels (shod with sticky Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres), new bucket seats, ceramic brake rotors, lighter front suspension and a carbon-fibre anti-roll bar.

Optional coil-over suspension with adjustable compression and rebound damping is offered as well.

Despite the low-carb diet, acceleration for the swansong Audi R8 is rated at 3.4 seconds and top speed is 320km/h, which makes it slower than the last R8 V10 Performance quattro (all-wheel drive) model sold in Australia. It boasted a 0-100km/h time of 3.2sec and a 330km/h V-max.

Only 333 units of the Audi R8 GT will be produced, in either Matte Suzuka Grey, Tangorot Metallic or Daytona Gray Metallic.

Unique exterior elements include black R8 GT badges, a carbon-fibre front splitter with side flics, chunkier side skirts, a specific rear diffuser and a massive gooseneck rear wing.

The cabin gets a red/black colour scheme and prices start at €225,000 in Germany, which equates to roughly $A342,000. The last Audi R8 sold in Australia was pegged at $395,000.

Join the conversation at 

our Facebook page

Or email us at 

editor@carsales.com.au