The close connection between road sports car and racing car is also underscored at this year’s 24 Hours on the Nürburgring race. The GT3 racing car with number 1, which is used by the Audi Sport Team Phoenix, is visually adapted to the R8 green hell with its foil wrap in dark green.
Exclusive look: Tioman green and matt black foil wrap
The Audi R8 Green Hell Edition model is numbered consecutively and limited to 50 units worldwide. The model costs EUR 233,949.59 in Germany. This exclusive status becomes apparent at first glance. True to the motto “Green Hell” the outer skin is painted standard in dark Tioman Green. As an option, however, customers can also choose Ibis White, Daytona Gray or Mythos Black.
The front hood, the A-pillars, the roof and the rear end are covered partially in matt black foil with a racing look. The doors of the customer cars feature the edition number in large transparent matt figures reminiscent of starting numbers; the “GREEN HELL R8” logo adorns the sideblade and the windshield in gloss black. The matt black styling package adds highlights to the front end, sills and diffuser, supplemented by sideblades, mirror housings and rear wing in the same tone. The surfaces of the 20-inch wheels in 5-twin-spoke dynamic design are also painted matt black. Red details on the rims round off the striking design.
In the interior, the driver sits on lightweight bucket seats with center panels upholstered in Alcantara. The same material is also used on the steering wheel rim with its red 12 o’clock marker, on the hood over the digital instrument display, on the door armrests, knee pads and on the center armrest. Almost all these areas come with contrasting stitching in a blue-green “Kailash fern” tone. The monoposto – the large arc running around the cockpit –, the instrument panel, the door pull handle and door rail as well as the floor mats with their red piping also come with contrasting stitching in this color. The floors mats feature a “GREEN HELL R8” logo.
Sharp performance: V10 naturally aspirated engine with 620 HP
At the heart of the R8 green hell edition model is the Audi R8 V10 performance quattro in its coupé variant. Its sonorous V10 naturally aspirated engine sends 620 HP via the seven-speed S tronic to the four wheels. This power catapults the high-performance sports car from 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.1 seconds and on up to a top speed of 331 km/h (205.7 mph). The quattro drive, which splits the power variably between the axles as required, is tailored specifically to the mid-engine layout. A mechanical locking differential at the rear axle further increases the driving dynamics and traction.
The body with its Audi Space Frame design (ASF) is made of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). The underbody of the high-performance sports car, including the propeller shaft, is almost completely covered with smooth paneling. Two small diffusers in the front area send air through the wheel arches; this also helps to cool the brakes. In front of the rear axle, the paneling integrates what are known as NACA vents, which transport cooling air to the engine and S tronic. The wide diffuser under the rear ensures that the accelerated air returns to ambient speed without causing excessive swirl.
This suction effect allows the air to flow more harmoniously, thereby increasing downforce. As on a racing car, twin wishbones all-round locate the wheels; the brake disks are made of CFRP ceramic. The Audi drive select system incorporates a Performance mode that allows the key dynamic handling parameters to be adjusted in three stages to the road’s coefficient of friction. The driver can access this function via a satellite button on the steering wheel.
Photos: Audi Media