R8: Lifted Suspension & Skid Plates for Off-Road Adventures
Audi was a dominant force in the Group B era of the World Rally Championship during the 1980s, and has been commemorating such accomplishments since then in its marketing. The developer of this unique R8 seemed to take a leaf out of Audi’s history by transforming it into a rough-terrain vehicle able for contesting. This strange conversion is currently on sale at Bring a Trailer.
In 2023, a comprehensive transformation was executed to make this R8 rally-ready. The alterations featured a 2.0″ lift and Bilstein coilovers with supplementary shock towers for reinforcement. Additionally, skid plates were added under the vehicle to guard it from any stones or debris that might otherwise cause harm.
Revisions to the 4.2-liter V-8 engine have brought about an enhanced intake, exhaust manifold, and ECU remapping. The engine was already able to create a potent 430 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, but these improvements likely suggest that it delivers greater performance stats. Driving force is then dispatched through a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to Audi’s iconic Quattro all-wheel drive system.
An aesthetic makeover of this Safari R8 includes a brush bar endowed with four LED bulbs at the head. Providing extra space for storage, the car also comes with a roof rack. It rides on white 18-inch beadlock wheels with red rims. Its back fascia has been completely deleted, exposing the glimmering mufflers and parts of its suspension. The exterior displays a white hood, doors, and posterior with some accurate Adrenalin Industries illustrations. The rest of the body is dark blue.
The inside of the vehicle has not undergone any big changes in comparison to its original features. The seats are upholstered with black leather, featuring red articulations throughout. Next to the steering wheel, one finds an auxiliary switch panel, presumably utilized for operating the extra headlamps situated on the front of the car. The odometer shows a total of 55,909 miles, with 3,000 of those having been travelled by the current owner – as reported in the auction details.
The R8 should provide joyous thrills when taken on a dusty track. It can possibly be put to use in rallycross events too. The cost currently stands at $20,147 as of when this article was printed. The sale period will come to an end by Wednesday, December 13th, at 2:34 PM EDT.
Today, the R8 is on its way out. If a successor comes to be, there have been headlines that it would possess a full electric powertrain, instead of the V8 or V10 engine used in its predecessors. As such, if you are up for something unique to experience Audi’s soon to be extinct supercar, this rally-ready version could be just the ticket.
Source: Bring A Trailer
