Audi is paying homage to its Nurburgring 24 Hour race-winning Audi R8 LMS with a new exclusive R8 V10 plus ‘selection 24h’ model.
A total of 24 exclusive R8 ‘selection 24h’ models will be built for the world market, combining competition-inspired styling enhancements with an ‘exceptional specification’ that includes Audi magnetic ride adaptive damping, a sport exhaust for further amplification of the R8’s ten-cylinder soundtrack, and laser lighting.
The Audi R8 V10 plus selection 24h is recognisable by a special tricolour exterior, which closely resembles its GT3 LMS counterpart. The multi-material Audi Space Frame body with its predominantly aluminium content and carbon fibre elements is finished in Suzuka grey, while Mythos black detailing with Misano red accents draws inspiration from the classic Audi racing livery.
Based on the Audi R8 V10 plus, the selection 24h shares its 610PS output for a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds before rapidly advancing toward a top speed of 205mph. A newly developed quattro drive distributes its power fully variably between both sets of wheels. The suspension, the aerodynamics configured to handle high downforces and the operating concept featuring the Audi virtual cockpit are all motorsport-inspired. The foundation for that inspiration is the fact that Audi developed the second generation of the R8 in parallel with the GT3 racing model R8 LMS, with both models sharing around 50 per cent of their parts. There is even more synergy in terms of the powertrain; their V10 engines are virtually identical with only the manifold fuel injection omitted on the R8 LMS. Close cooperation between race car engineers, motorsport specialists and developers has brought a significant boost in performance to both models, says Audi.
The front spoiler, exterior mirror housings, engine compartment cover, rear wing and diffuser are made from gloss-finish carbon fibre, as are the sideblades which include a unique ‘R8 24h’ logo in a matt finish. The tailpipes of the standard sport exhaust system feature black trims and the 20-inch forged aluminium wheels in 10-spoke Y design are painted gloss anthracite black.
Inside the cockpit, which employs a driver-focused ‘monoposto arc’ to mirror the feel of a racing car, the limited-edition supercar features full-leather upholstery and trim in rotor grey, with an Alcantara headlining. The extended inlays for the surround of the Audi virtual cockpit and the air vents are made from gloss-finish CFRP. The inlays bear the matt-finish “R8 24h” logo, while the illuminated door sill trims, which are also made of gloss-finish carbon, display the serial numbers 1 to 24 for each of the limited-edition cars. As an exclusive feature, the entry lights on the doors project the Audi R8 logo onto the road surface.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed.