The Last Dance: Audi R8 GT RWD | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat
The Audi R8 GT RWD is the swan song for the four-ringed super sportscar. It is a very fitting finale too, because it encapsulates so much of what has made the R8 special throughout its 20 year history. Since the original concept car designed by Frank Lamberty back in 2003, the R8 has captured people’s imaginations and changed the perception of fast Audi road cars.
In this latest episode of The Driver’s Seat on the Hagerty YouTube channel, Henry Catchpole takes a journey back through the Audi R8 story. He looks at the car’s outstanding attributes, which include everything from usability, to laser lights, to a predilection for oversteer. However, he also shines a light on some of the less well-known aspects of the R8 story.
Did you know, for example, that there was a diesel version of the R8? Or that the LMS version raced successfully for more than 24 hours? And do you know where the R8 name came from? With the help of Tom Kristensen we reveal that at the end of the film - a big thank you to Martin Halusa and Peter Chambers Automotive for their generosity and assistance with that part.
The R8 GT RWD itself is magnificent. Its 5.2-litre, naturally aspirated V10 puts out 611bhp and 417lb ft of torque. That makes it the most powerful rear-wheel drive R8 ever. It also has shorter gearing for its 7-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch gearbox, helping it to sprint to 62mph from rest in just 3.4sec. It will still hit 199mph too. Lighter, forged alloys are also part of the package, along with a system called Torque Rear (which is a bit like McLaren’s Variable Drift Control).
All in all, the R8 GT RWD highlights just what a spectacular car we are losing. A go in an original R8 V8 with a beautiful open-gate manual also highlights just what a bargain they are in the used market. Will we one day see an e-Tron, all-electric version of an R8? Who knows, but if this is it for the R8 name then it’s been quite the journey.
We hope you enjoy this film. Please share some of your own R8 stories in the comments down below. Perhaps Henry will relate the time he drove one through São Paulo in rush hour. And if you fancy supporting the show and the Hagerty Drivers Club is available where you live, then just click on this link: https://bit.ly/Join-HDC-Henry Many thanks.
#TheDriversSeat #HenryCatchpole #NeverStopDriving #Audi #hagertydriversclub #carreview
Subscribe to our channel and turn on notifications! http://bit.ly/HagertyYouTube
Visit us at https://www.hagerty.com
Stay up to date by signing up for our email newsletters here: https://www.hagerty.com/media/newslet...
Follow us on social media:
Facebook | / hagerty
Instagram | / hagerty
Twitter | / hagerty
If you love cars, you belong with us. Hagerty Drivers Club is the world’s largest community for automotive enthusiasts. Members enjoy valuable automotive discounts, exclusive events and experiences, roadside service created specifically for collector vehicles, and a subscription to the bimonthly Hagerty Drivers Club magazine. Join Hagerty Drivers Club here: https://www.hagerty.com/drivers-club
Like what you see? Watch our other series including:
Redline Rebuilds | Time-lapse engine rebuilds from start to finish http://bit.ly/RedlineRebuild
Barn Find Hunter | Tom Cotter searches the country for abandoned cars http://bit.ly/BarnFIndHunter
Jason Cammisa on the Icons | The definitive car review
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaICONS
Revelations | Untold Stories About Automotive Legends with Jason Cammisa
https://bit.ly/JasonCammisaRevelations
Contact us:
Suggestions and feedback - [email protected]
Press inquiries - [email protected]
Partnership requests - [email protected]
Watch video The Last Dance: Audi R8 GT RWD | Henry Catchpole - The Driver's Seat online without registration, duration hours minute second in high quality. This video was added by user Hagerty 31 January 2024, don't forget to share it with your friends and acquaintances, it has been viewed on our site 228,91 once and liked it 8.9 thousand people.