What's all this about?
Last year, the Audi R8 LMS won the Nürburgring 24 Hours at its first attempt. This year, for the first time in public, Audi will show off a very limited edition of the R8 V10 plus Coupé that celebrates the 2015 victory, as well as the R8's 323 on-track successes worldwide since 2009. It's called the Selection 24h.
How limited an edition are we talking?
There will be one R8 Selection 24h for every hour of the race it won in 2015.
So, 24, then?
Correct.
Crikey! How does the Selection 24h differ from an R8 V10 plus?
It gets a lot of equipment as standard that is on the options list for the regular R8. Such as the sport exhaust system, 20-inch alloys in gloss black, Audi laser headlights, Anthracite headlining, dynamic steering and the Audi magnetic ride adaptive damper control system. However, it has no more power, although when the R8 V10 plus - with 610hp, 560Nm, quattro all-wheel drive and the ability to do 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds before topping out at 205mph - holds the accolade of 'the fastest and most powerful production Audi of all', that's no great hardship.
The Selection 24h looks a little different to a regular R8, doesn't it?
Yes, it's Suzuka Grey with Mythos Black and Misano Red highlights to ape the R8 LMS, while 'R8 24h' logos can be found on some of its carbon fibre inside and out. Illuminated carbon door sills bear the number of whichever of the 24 models you've bought and as a final nice touch, lights in the doors project an Audi R8 graphic onto the floor before you enter the car, which is an exclusive feature.
So after the N24h preview, when does the Audi R8 Selection 24h go on sale in the UK?
Probably never. With such a limited allocation, they're almost certainly only going to be found in their homeland of Germany. Which is a shame.
Matt Robinson - 10 May 2016