LA MOTOR SHOW: Audi R8 Competition
Audi's fastest production car emerges as a US-only last hurrah for original R8Just when we thought the Audi R8 LMX was going to the current-generation R8's swansong before the second-generation Audi super-coupe arrives, along comes the R8 Competition, which will make its debut at next month's Los Angeles motor show.
What's new? Apart from the name, there's more power. Only a bit more — 6kW in all. But it's more than the last R8 V10 thumper and enough to claim the mantle of the most powerful Audi production car ever made. At this end of the market, bragging rights are important.
The R8 Competition also gets loads of matte carbon-fibre features such as the fixed rear spoiler, mirror housings, side blades, front spoiler, rear diffuser and even the engine bay. Audi says the carbon parts lower the car's weight (but doesn't say by how much) which, together with the power boost, makes it the fastest accelerating R8 ever.
Although it matches the Audi R8 LMX's v-max of 320km/h, the R8 Competition accelerates to 100km/h in 3.3 seconds -- a tenth faster than the LMX. It's also two-tenths quicker than the R8 V10 Plus S tronic.
All three models are powered by a 5.2-litre V10 engine shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic. Here's the breakdown:
Audi R8 V10 Plus
0-100km/h: 3.5 seconds
Power: 404kW
Top speed: 317km/h
Price: $408,200
Audi R8 LMX
0-100km/h: 3.4 seconds
Power: 419kW
Top speed: 320kmh
Price: $440,000
Audi R8 Competition
0-100km/h: 3.3 seconds
Power: 425kW
Top speed: 320km/h
Price: TBA
Other cosmetic changes include glossy black exhaust pipes, carbon-ceramic brake rotors matched to red brake callipers engulfed by black alloy wheels.
Audi says the R8 Competition was inspired by the R8 LMS race car, which cannot (legally) be driven on public roads.
"The limited-edition Audi R8 competition is the closest road car to our R8 LMS ultra race car that has won virtually every race around the world," said Scott Keogh, President, Audi of America.
"It is designed for the driving enthusiast and we’re excited to bring 60 units as a limited-edition to the US," he added.
Audi's latest all-wheel drive 'quattro' supercar is being pitched to well-heeled US customers. The limited-edition model will be one of the rarer first-generation R8 variants.
The current car will be superseded next year when the new R8 arrives, which will share much of its underpinnings with the Lamborghini Huracan.
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