What's all this about?

This is the Audi R8 Coupé V10 GT RWD which, as well as being a mouthful, is a harder-edged version of the company’s “entry-level” rear-wheel-drive R8 Performance. That means the GT RWD has the same power as the top-of-the-tree all-wheel drive R8 Performance quattro, thanks to a retuned 5.2-litre V10 engine. That means there’s an extra 50hp than the standard rear-drive R8, bringing the total to 620hp, all of which is sent to the rear wheels via a new seven-speed double-clutch gearbox.

But the GT RWD is more than that. It’s also a limited-edition model celebrating the beginning of the end of R8 production, and an homage to the GT version of the old R8. That being the case, only a handful will come to the UK, but don’t be surprised if a convertible version also surfaces before the R8 finally dies.

Why not just buy a Performance Quattro?

A reasonable question, but the R8 GT is a little bit more performance-focused than either of its siblings. It’s lighter by 20kg than the standard R8 Performance RWD, for starters. Then there’s a new system operated by a control on the steering wheel to vary the level of slippage allowed by the traction control system, with Level 1 keeping everything tightly under control and Level 7 allowing for lots of slippage and big, smoky drifts. The anti-roll bars are made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic which makes them lighter and, Audi says, improves the driving dynamics, with a standard ceramic braking system providing the stopping power. Optional is a sportier coilover suspension on which the trim position and the compression and rebound levels can be adjusted. The 0-62mph sprint is dispensed with in 3.4 seconds.

Any difference in looks?

There are a few styling cues setting the R8 GT apart from the rest of the range. All the badging is in black and the GT gets a carbon aero-kit which includes a front splitter, front flics, side-skirt covers, a diffuser and a rear wing with gooseneck suspension all of which optimise airflow and give the R8 GT a more purposeful look. The R8 GT sits on a set of exclusive 20-inch ten-spoke wheels shod in Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres.

What about the inside?

Nothing’s been radically overhauled, but the black and red colour scheme pays homage to the original 2011 R8 GT with red seat belts and the bucket seats and floor mats all featuring model-specific lettering. Inlaid in the gear selector is the sequential numbering indicating where in the production run each individual R8 GT was built.

So how limited is production?

Like the last R8 GT, just 333 examples of the R8 GT RWD are due to be made, with only 15 bound for the UK. Pricing has yet to be confirmed. While there are no hints at present that a convertible Spyder version is on the way, Audi did launch a drop-top version of the last R8 GT, so don’t rule out a new one.