Eisenmann Spark Eight

As a first foray into Tuning by the exhaust company Eisenmann {link} their Spark Eight is certainly a good start. High quality body modifications are well crafted and subtle; the front spoiler, brake cooling ducts and rear diffuser follow the form of the Audi R8 well whilst the new springs and dampers combine with the 8½x19" wheels to offer a sportier yet not extreme stance and ride.

Naturally Eisenmann offer a selection of exhausts for their Spark Eight which include the centre exit version that fit their diffuser perfectly.

For those who would rather benefit solely from Eisenmann's exhaust experience there are options that fit the standard Audi R8 rear as well.

Audi R8 Grand Am

Fresh for the 2012 American motorsport season Audi have created the Audi R8 Grand Am.Using the ultra successful Audi R8 LMS (118 wins and 13 championships) as its base model the R8 Grand Am is designed to be victorious in the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series in America.

As Grand Am rules differ significantly to FIA regulations the two cars are strikingly different with the R8 LMS boasting up to 80% more aerodynamic grip than the Audi R8 Grand AM. The R8 Grand Am also has slightly less power than the R8 LMS and unlike the R8 LMS the Grand Am version has no traction control or ABS.

Audi have thus had to develop the R8 Grand Am totally independently of the ongoing LMS work, to this end there will only be a maximum of 4 R8 Grand Ams racing in North America in 2012 as both the teams and Audi Sport focus on developing a proven basic concept into a successful race car in the Rolex Sports Car Series.

Currently only Oryx Racing {link} and APR Motorsport {link} are racing the Audi R8 Grand Am in the USA with both teams giving their cars competitive debuts at the 50th Anniversary Rolex 24 at Daytona {link}.