2023 Audi R8 GT

 

The new Audi R8 GT is the most potent R8 yet and the last of the R8 as we know it. It made its debut late last year as a sendoff not just for the R8 in general, but for the V10 under the Audi brand as well. The 5.2-liter V10 in the new R8 GT makes 602 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque, sending power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. It launches from zero to 60 mph in 3.1 seconds and is capable of a top speed of 199 mph. The GT adds a new front splitter and rear diffuser along with front and rear canards and a larger rear wing over the base and all-wheel drive R8s. A carbon-fiber anti-roll bar is standard in the R8 GT and optional on all other versions of the R8. In addition, the new R8 GT is the only R8 to feature Torque Rear, which is Audi-speak for drift mode. European-spec R8 GTs offer an optional adjustable coil-over suspension, while the U.S.-spec R8 GTs only offer a fixed setup.

Audi will produce only 333 total units of the 2023 R8 GT, with 150 of those allocated for the U.S. market. Pricing for the new R8 GT starts at $253,290. The example featured in this post is the first of the final-edition R8 that I've seen up close, which took place at my local Cars & Coffee earlier this month. It stood out to me the most at that show since it was the newest and rarest vehicle there. I also happened to know who this new R8 GT's owner is, with that being former MLB pitcher C.J. Wilson, who now is the head of my local Audi/Porsche dealer. He sometimes attends these meets since they are run by the local chapter of the Porsche club. I also mention this aspect because I was able to officially meet and briefly speak with him for the first time as well. C.J. Wilson is a great guy with a ton of automotive and baseball insight, especially regarding Audi and Porsche, and I'm glad that I had a chance to meet and speak to him. Overall, the new Audi R8 GT is amazing, incredible, and a proper sendoff for Audi's longtime flagship supercar. It's sad that the new R8 GT marks the end of an era in the car industry and great if Audi had plans for an R8 successor, but these don't dismiss how cool and fantastic the final R8 model truly is.

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