Currently reading: Audi R8 'Clubsport' spied

Hardcore R8 testing at the Nurburgring

Audi has been back at the Nurburgring testing a hardcore version of the R8, rumoured to be a Clubsport version.

This time around our snappers have captured a far more modified version of the R8. This car not only sports a fixed rear wing and small aero blades at the front, but extensively modified bodywork at the rear.

See the high-res Audi R8 Clubsport spy picture gallery

The diffuser appears larger and the pipes are no longer oval RS items, replaced with drainpipe-style round exhausts. The car now rides on large RS6 alloys and large intakes have been cut out of the rear bumper.

Fresh reports suggest the R8 could be two-wheel drive using similar hardware to the new LP550-2 ‘Valentino Balboni'. This is unlikely however as it would mark a considerable departure from Audi's tradition of powering its fast cars through all four wheels.

A lightweight interior and possibly composite panels will help contribute towards a 50kg weight reduction.The power gains over the standard 518bhp R8 V10 will be minimal, however, ensuring that the car will still fall shy of the Lamborghini Gallardo’s LP560-4’s 552bhp.

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Topkat 24 September 2009

Re: Audi R8 'Clubsport' spied

Nice improvement on an ugly car. :-)

AwakeSpectator 24 September 2009

Re: Audi R8 'Clubsport' spied

Even though a nice looking car, still, the front could have been a bit more exciting. Having said that, in case of this particular incarnation, on a car which mostly consists of sharp straight lines, rectangular boxes or the likes – of course, with the obvious exception of wheel arches - circular protruding exhaust pipe peripheries just do not fit in.

Welsh Wizard 24 September 2009

Re: Audi R8 'Clubsport' spied

It still looks daft.