Wheelsandmore Whips up Improvements for the Audi R8 GT Spyder

When Audi introduced its first ever production mid-engine supercar – the R8 – six years ago, most of the automotive world figured the company would always keep its performance potential a couple notches below that of its angular and higher-priced Latin sister, the Lamborghini Gallardo. That expectation diminished somewhat with the introduction of the R8 5.2 FSI quattro, which features a slightly detuned version of the junior Lambo’s 5.2L V10 under the hood. And it took an even bigger hit when the R8 GT, a lighter, higher-powered version of the V10 model, was revealed in 2010.

Of course, not even a stock R8 GT will blow the average Gallardo into the weeds. But if you prefer the looks of the German speed demon and want to be able to smoke a Gallardo, there are plenty of tuners willing to lend you a hand. And if you happen to have the drop-top R8 GT Spyder (of which only 333 are being built), then you might want to drop the gang at Wheelsandmore a line.

Because “wheels” is in the name of the company, it shouldn’t come as a shock that new wheels have been fitted. The carbon-fiber-look 6Sporz² wheels measure 20 inches across, and the demo car pictured here features black rims and red brake calipers on the driver’s side, and polished rims and yellow calipers on the passenger side. Wheelsandmore also offers a set of 6Sporz Megalight wheels with 20” fronts and 21” rears.

And in case the rolling stock isn’t a big enough aesthetic change, the company has a variety of suspension kits from which you can choose. A basic set of lowering springs retails for about $930, while an adjustable kit will set you back around $1,560. Step up to a racing-style aluminum adjustable kit and your wallet will be lighter by about $3,000, and the all-singing, all-dancing hydraulic system (adjustable for compression and rebound stiffness) costs a cool $9,370.

So Wheelsandmore makes the R8 GT Spyder look cooler and handle better, but what about that whole “beating a Gallardo” thing. Well that’s where three stages of engine upgrades come in. Stage 1 costs about $3,600 and consists of a remapped ECU, which boosts output from 552hp to 587hp. Stage 2 costs roughly $8,700 and adds an exhaust system to yield 603hp. Finally, Stage 3 adds a carbon fiber airbox to the ECU and exhaust system for a total tab of $9,500 and total output of 611hp. All three stages provide more power than any stock Gallardo that’s ever rolled out of the factory at Sant’Agata.

Wheelsandmore hasn’t quoted any performance figures, but you better believe the Stage 3 power kit will knock a couple tenths off the stock R8 GT Spyder’s numbers. It may even better the stock R8 GT coupe’s 3.6 second 0-62 mph time. And better still, you’ll have a car that stands out from the crowd (assuming you consider 333 examples worldwide a crowd). Who could ask for anything more?

Source: Wheelsandmore