What's the news?
Audi is celebrating its success in the Nürburgring 24 Hours last year in the best way possible: a highly limited edition version of its sensational R8 V10 plus Coupé. This is the Selection 24h and it pays homage to the racing R8 LMS, which has won 323 races in national and international race series since 2009. Only 24 of these R8s will be built.
Exterior
A tri-colour paint finish marks out the R8 Selection 24h, with Suzuka Grey the basic hue, overlaid with Mythos Black and Misano Red highlights to make it look a bit like the R8 LMS. All of the external gloss-finish carbon fibre details that can be found on a regular R8 plus are retained for the Selection, while the side blades boast an 'R8 24h' logo. The sport exhaust system is standard fit for this special R8 and features black trims, while the one-inch-larger-than-standard wheels are 20-inch, ten Y-spoke forged aluminium items in gloss Anthracite Black. Another feature that's optional on an R8 plus but thrown in for the price here is Audi laser headlights.
Interior
Full leather upholstery and trim in Rotor Grey adorns the cabin, while the headlining is Anthracite. Gloss-finish carbon fibre, adorned with the same 'R8 24h' logo as the outside, peppers the cockpit and the illuminated door sills (also carbon) display the relevant 1-24 serial numbers of the few cars that will be built. An exclusive feature of the limited edition motor is that entry lights on the doors project an Audi R8 logo onto the ground before you climb into the car.
Mechanicals
Slotted in the midriff of the R8 Selection 24h is the same 610hp/560Nm 5.2-litre normally aspirated V10 engine which drives all four wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission. That means the Selection 24h is capable of numbers that would not disgrace a race car, such as 0-100km/h in 3.2 seconds and a 330km/h maximum. Again, two things that are options on a V10 plus are chucked in for 24h buyers, which are dynamic steering and the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control system.
Anything else?
The Audi R8 Selection 24h will be on public display for the first time at this year's Nürburgring 24 Hours event. It's unlikely any of the allocation of 24 will make it to Ireland. Boooo!