Audi's new flyer ready for the big leagues

Audi's R8 GT coupe is 185kg heavier than Lamborghini's Gallardo and 135kg heavier than the Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Photo / Supplied

It's the fastest, most expensive Audi ever - and New Zealand will get three only when the car goes on sale in 2011.

The limited-edition R8 GT coupe is a lightweight flyer set to rival Lamborghini's Gallardo Superleggera and the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

It is based on the 5.2-litre V10 version of Audi's mid-engined flagship but gets a more powerful engine, a sharper chassis, and improved aerodynamics.

At 1525kg, it also weighs 100kg less than the standard R8, thanks partly to a new carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic engine bay lid, thinner windscreen glass, polycarbonate instead of glass for the rear bulkhead screen, and lightweight carpet. The bucket seats alone shed 31.5kg.

But the R8 GT remains 135kg heavier than the 911 GT3 and 185kg more than the Superleggera.

Weight distribution is 43:57 per cent front/rear.

Audi describes the R8 GT as a "road car suitable for track days" - hence optional extras that include a bolt-on rollcage, four-point racing harness, fire extinguisher and battery kill switch.

Production is limited to 333, each with a gearshift badge bearing the individual build number of the car.

New Zealand has been allocated three for the 2010-11 production year. Australia gets a reported 12 and Britain has put its hand up for 33.

The R8 GT is likely to cost around $400,000 in New Zealand, a hefty price premium over the standard R8 coupe and Spyder, which retail for between $325,000 and $355,00.

The coupe and Spyder are available with either manual or automatic gearboxes, but the R8 GT will get an automatic only, a six-speed R-tronic unit revised to speed up gearchanges.

A launch control mode enables the R8 GT to sprint from zero to 100km/h in a claimed 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed of 322km/h.

That's three-tenths up on the standard model and only two-tenths down on the Superleggera, which uses the same V10 engine but with a different exhaust system. The R8 GT's 322km/h is fractionally short of the Lamborghini's 327km/h.

The naturally aspirated, direct-injection V10 has undergone a software upgrade for the R8 GT. The result is 412kW and 540Nm - up 26kW and 10Nm on the standard engine.

Drive goes to all four wheels and power is distributed 15:85 front to rear. Up to 30 per cent of torque can be directed to the front wheels when required. The newcomer also benefits from a revised ESP system that allows more wheel slip before the traction control kicks in.

To complement the extra power, mechanical changes include manually adjustable suspension, lowering the car by up to 10mm. The front and rear wheels feature aggressive camber settings to improve agility.

Unique 19-inch wheels are standard, and wider rear tyres or track day rubber are options. The rims hide ceramic brakes with GT-branded red-painted calipers.

To set the car apart, and aid aerodynamics, Audi has fitted a carbon front splitter and a pair of carbon strakes on either side of the bumper.

Full LED headlights are standard. At the side are new carbon wing mirrors and a matt finish for the carbon sideblades.

But the biggest changes are at the rear, where there's a fixed wing, new carbon fibre-reinforced plastic bumper and a diffuser derived from Audi's R8 LMS racing cars.

Buyers will have four exterior colours to choose from: Samoa Orange, Suzuka Grey, Ice Silver and Phantom Black.