Three years after it burst onto the supercar scene, Audi has unveiled a hard-core version of its R8 called the GT. Based on the existing mid-engine R8 V10 and incorporating aerodynamic, weight-saving and mechanical developments used by the company’s R8 LMS GT3 race car, Ingolstadt will build just 333 copies of the new 560-hp four-wheel-drive performance flagship.

Pricing has not yet been revealed, but given the extent of the changes to the new two-seater, buyers should expect a hefty premium over the R8 V10′s $147,000 price tag when the GT goes on sale in North America. Audi of America has not yet confirmed U.S. plans, but the car is likely to appear here in spring 2011 as a 2011 model.

(via Autoweek)

We don’t normally use the word “badass” on Kineda, but the Audi R8 can be described in no other way. Audi has created a sports car worthy of taking on the Mercedes SL, Porsche 911, BMW M6 and Aston Martin Vantage, by sticking to a futuristic design that’s usually left for concept cars.

The two-seater Audi R8 is powered with a mid-engine, 420-horsepower V-8, derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo. That’s enough power to knock the panties off your next date! Priced between $90,000 and $125,000, it’s also expensive enough to be out of the reach of the average car buyer, which will make this a truly unique ride on the road.

The Audi R8 comes with either a manual 6-speed gearbox or optionally the Audi R tronic sequential-shift gearbox. The R tronic used a joystick gear-shift in the center console, and paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel, similar to those used it motorsport racing. Stoplight runs should be rather fun with the claimed 0-62 mph time in 4.6 seconds. I’m sure that’s a pretty conservative number too.

Want to see more? Check out the Audi R8 Microsite. Seeing the car in motion will make you drool.