A real heartbreaker
Last year Abt Sportsline attracted a lot of attention with their version of the R8 GT R. This street racer looked really great, set high driving dynamics standards and had real exclusivity. Now the tuner from southern pairs the coupé with a new roadster. The R8 GT S is a showstopper on the Abt stand at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, seductive and not coincidentally presented in the colour of love. But this is far from the only reason that visitors to the show on the shores of Lac Léman will find their hearts warming to the Audi R8 Spyder V10.
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- The Abt engineers have used classical tuning methods to make impressive gains in terms of performance: 620 horsepower rather than the original 525 – quite a result with a naturally aspirated motor with its 5.2 litre capacity unchanged.
Reduced weight is vital
It’s a red chrome colour that radiates from the sensuous Abt R8 GT S although it must be noted that this is in fact not a paint job but comes from the application of foil. There is a lot of naked carbon composite on show, from the front spoiler to the wing at the back, lending the car a black accent. There’s an agreeable side effect: This is an expensive but ultra-light material, and its deployment for the inlays on the car’s flanks, for the bonnet and boot cover results in a considerable weight reduction for the mid-motor roadster. And there are other components, too – front and rear skirts, window frame trims, red air hoods, front hood and rear-view mirrors – made of CRP (Carbon reinforced plastic).
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- The front skirt and many other components of the Abt Audi R8 GT S are made of carbon reinforced plastic (CRP).
Impressive performance gains
The only details which clash with the expressive lines of the Abt R8 GT S and the air hoods behind the cabin. But according to Abt these are absolutely essential to keep the temperature in the engine compartment at an acceptable level. And as far as this engine is concerned the Abt engineers have used classical tuning methods to make impressive gains in terms of performance. From the V10 motor they are able to get 620 horsepower rather than the original 525 – quite a result with a naturally aspirated motor with its 5.2 litre capacity unchanged. And the statistics reflect this gain: Zero to a hundred in 3.6 seconds under full power and the Audi just goes on getting quicker until 320 kilometres an hour is reached.
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- The steering wheel is made of red CRP and the central console, the gear-shift gate and parts of the door linings are crafted in naked carbon composite. The rest of the interior is given a new leather treatment.
The look and the sound
But the motor modifications are far from the end of the story. A sports exhaust system delivers the sound one might hope for and the Abt suspension guarantees perfect road-holding. Anyone wanting even further enhanced driving dynamics can opt for the ‘CR Superlight’ 19 inch alloys for the Abt R8 GT S. True style addicts will go for the 20 inch BR rims – and will be delighted by the pepped up interior of the car. The steering wheel is made of red CRP and the central console, the gear-shift gate and parts of the door linings are crafted in naked carbon composite. The remaining door panels and the dashboard are given a new leather treatment, as are the sports seats. Red safety-belts, illuminated door-sills and foot-well mats round out the extrovert and distinctly sexy appearance of the Abt R8 GT S in .
