The end is nigh for the Audi R8, but it’s coming out with a bang. The 2023 R8 GT RWD is the most powerful rear-wheel drive Audi of all, and it takes a quarter million dollars to buy it in the United States.
To be specific, the 2023 Audi R8 GT starts at $249,900 in the US. With an additional $1,495 Audi destination fee, that figure rises to $251,395. It’s certainly a pricey end to the R8’s longevity, but even if you have the means to buy one, your garage will likely remain empty. 333 are planned for global production, but only 150 will go to the United States.
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What do you get for that price? We were introduced to the R8 GT and its 602-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 when it debuted in October, and we snuck behind the wheel for a special first drive just before Thanksgiving. Borrowing heavily from the R8 LMS race car, it is 55 pounds lighter and as such, can accelerate to 60 mph in 3.3 seconds – provided the rear wheels have traction. The new Rear Torque Mode helps maximize that traction, or lack thereof if drivers like the R8’s drifting. Top speed goes up to just over 200 at a proud 199 mph.
In the US market, the R8 GT gains some special features. A sports exhaust system gives the V10 a fresh sound, while the side blades, exterior mirror housings and door sill inlays get a carbon treatment. Inside you’ll find a Bang & Olufsen stereo, a diamond-stitched headliner, and more.
When the R8 GT reaches US dealers in early 2023, it will embody the legacy of two generations of R8 spanning 16 years. Launched in 2006 as a 2007 model year, this car first came with a 4.2 liter V8 engine developing 414 hp. The 5.2-liter V10 arrived for the 2009 model year, upping the ante to 525 hp. The first Audi R8 GT debuted in 2011, producing 552 hp sent to all four wheels.
