Part of the story

Audi Sport Performance Parts offer groundbreaking design and performance. They were unveiled to the world for the first time at the Audi Summit in Barcelona.

AUDI AG (copy & photo)

“Is it a special model?” That was the question many people asked when they passed by the Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus at the Audi Sport booth. They always got the same answer: “No.” But you can see why they’d think it was a special model: nobody had ever seen the athletic model – in eye-catching Suzuka Gray – looking like this before. Just like the Catalunya Red Audi TT RS Coupé exhibited at the Brand Show, it was kitted out with Audi Sport Performance Parts, which celebrated their world premiere at the Audi Summit in Barcelona.

With the Audi Sport Performance Parts, Audi is tapping into a new and growing business segment. Especially overseas, there’s rising demand for options that allow drivers to customize their cars and make them stand out. The Audi Sport Performance Parts now cover four areas: suspension, exhaust system, exterior, and interior.

For suspension requirements, the range covers sport brake linings, which are more powerful and less prone to fading than standard brake linings. Linings are available for steel discs and for the optional ceramic brakes. Their carrying plates are painted in fluorescent red and are made out of titanium on the Audi R8. Steel front brake discs with multiple bolt mountings are available for the Audi TT RS. Various brake cooling kits can be obtained for the Audi TT models, helping them achieve even better braking performance.

A two- or three-way coilover suspension is available for the Audi TT models and both Audi R8 variants. The fully milled, black 20-inch wheels reduce weight by up to 7.2 kilograms on the Audi TT and up to 8 kilograms on the Audi R8 (depending on the choice of basic features). Which neatly answers the next question asked at the Audi Sport booth – what benefits do the parts offer? All the exterior and suspension options improve performance. For the Audi TT Coupé with optional quattro drive, the retrofit range includes a cross-member reinforcement bar on the rear axle. It improves rigidity and makes handling even more precise.

Want to customize your car and turn some heads? Then you need the Aero kits, which were developed in the Audi wind tunnel. For the Audi R8 and the Audi TT they add clear-cut highlights on the front air inlets, the side sills, and the diffuser. There is also a splitter and flics at the front as well as a large fixed rear wing. Once again, they don’t just look good. They also substantially improve downforce: on the Audi R8 the downforce is 250 kg at a top speed of approx. 330 km/h, an increase of over 100 kg. The effect at 150 km/h is even more pronounced – the downforce is doubled at this speed to 52 kg thanks to the Aero kit. An engine hood with large air vent is also available for the Audi TT. All parts are made out of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) for the Audi R8 and for the Audi TT out of CFRP and plastic; all of them feature the Audi Sport logo. A clear signal that the parts come directly from the manufacturer and meet the same quality standards as the car itself. And that, as the Audi Sport booth in Barcelona emphasized, is extremely important in this segment.

Attractive parts for the interior round off the range. A sport contour steering wheel is available for the Audi R8 and for the Audi TT; its Alcantara-trimmed rim features a red 12 o’clock marking. CFRP shift paddles are available for the models fitted with seven-speed S tronic. Audi Sport has developed a strut cross brace specifically for the Audi TT Coupé – also made out of CFRP. It replaces the rear seats, reduces the weight by some 20 kilograms, and enhances the torsional rigidity. Audi TTS owners can also subsequently increase their car’s top speed to 280 km/h. Akrapovic d.d., the specialist supplier of exhaust systems, has designed a sonorous, ultralight muffler made of titanium including trims specifically for the Audi TTS and the Audi TT RS.

The product lineup of Audi Sport Performance Parts will initially be for the Audi R8 and Audi TT models only. Additional model series will follow gradually. Prices for individual components and sets will only be announced once they go on sale. Enjoy the wait – after all, there’s nothing sweeter than anticipation.

Audi R8 Coupé V10 plus fuel consumption combined (in l/100 km): 13,4; CO₂ emissions combined (in g/km): 306, Audi TT RS Coupé fuel consumption combined (in l/100 km): 8,4-8,2; CO₂ emissions combined (in g/km): 192-187, Audi TT Coupé fuel consumption combined (in l/100 km): 6,6-4,6; CO₂ emissions combined (in g/km): 153-122, Audi TTS Coupé fuel consumption combined (in l/100 km): 7,3-6,7; CO₂ emissions combined (in g/km): 168-155. Audi TTS Roadster fuel consumption combined (in l/100 km): 7,5-6,9; CO₂ emissions combined (in g/km): 173-163. Where stated in ranges, fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and efficiency classes depend on tires/wheels used.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO₂ emissions of new passenger cars can be found in the guide “Information on the fuel consumption, CO₂ emissions and electricity consumption of new cars”, which is available free of charge at all sales dealerships and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Strasse 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen, Germany (www.dat.de).