Audi Showcases Lightweight Construction in High-Performance R8 GT

The Audi R8 GT. Click to enlarge.

Audi has presented a limited-production version of it R8 high-performance sports car, the R8 GT. The output of its 5.2-liter V10 has been increased to 412 kW (560 hp); vehicle weight has been reduced by roughly 100 kilograms (220 lb) from the production R8. The R8 GT accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h (199 mph).

The production R8 5.2 FSI quattro is already an example of Audi’s lightweight construction philosophy. Its aluminum Audi Space Frame (ASF) body weighs 210 kilograms (462.97 lb). The aluminum body panels are joined to the frame of extruded profiles and cast nodes by means of positive and friction connections. The engine frame is made of ultra lightweight magnesium.

The ASF body is largely hand-built at the Neckarsulm plant in a complex manufacturing process. The extremely high strength of the body is the basis for the high-performance sports car’s precise handling, and it also offers good vibration comfort and first-rate crash safety.

Due to the ASF body, the production R8 5.2 FSI quattro weighs 1,625 kilograms (3,583 lb), with quattro permanent all-wheel drive and optional R tronic transmission. This made it challenging to further reduce the weight for the GT version. Among the steps taken were:

• The windshield of the R8 GT is made of thinner glass, and the bulkhead between the passenger cell and engine compartment, as well as the window in the rear hatch are made of strong, lightweight polycarbonate. These three modifications saved nine kilograms (20 lb).

• The fixed rear wing is good for an additional 1