10. Honda Integra Type-R

Forget the 12 days of Christmas. This is the seven days of dream garages.

Trading partridges in pear trees for horsepower in sexy sheetmetal, starting today each AutoGuide editor will reveal their list of the 10 cars we’ll be asking Santa for this year, giving a little insight into our automotive preferences.

Now 10 may seem like a lot to have in a dream garage, but narrowing down the list is harder than you think. When you’re dreaming, you want to dream big – but when it comes down to it, you start to think hard about which cars you realistically want to have.

So to kick things off, my list starts off with a Japan-spec Honda Integra Type-R. I can already hear what you’re thinking, “Wait, what? A dream car list and one of them is a Honda?”

Well, you know the saying: You never forget your first love.

Powered by a high-revving 1.8-liter B-series engine, the Type-R is one of the most balanced, best-handling front-wheel drive cars ever made. Its rarity in America has turned it into a collectible, and finding a mint condition one in today’s market is nearly impossible.

In fact, finding a low mileage Type-R will cost you nearly what the vehicle’s MSRP was when it first came out – if not more. So why not the Acura model? Well, I’ve always had a soft spot for the design on the Japan-only front end on the Integra, it’s simply a design that can hold its own even with today’s modern cars.

No stranger to high-end special edition cars, Audi will produce a limited run of 80 R8 “China Edition” supercars in, well, China. 

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The 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder finally has a price tag affixed to its convertible hotness, with the German automaker pricing it at $210,000 excluding taxes and a $1,200 destination charge.

The R8 GT Spyder will be available starting next month and features a 5.2L V10 engine with 522-hp and 398 lb-ft of torque. The exterior design is aggressive and benefits from a front splitter, rear diffuser and carbon fiber rear spoiler. The Spyder model also utilizes carbon fiber reinforced polymer body panels, a magnesium engine frame, a sport-tuned suspension and high-performance brakes.

Only 50 Audi R8 GT Spyders will be sold in America this year, so if you’ve been on the fence about getting it, now’s the time to act since you know the pricing.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT Spyder

Chevrolet has announced pricing of their 2012 Camaro Zl1 at $54,095. Chevrolet claims that the car compares favorably to more expensive cars like the Audi R8 GT, Mercedes-Benz SLS and Maserati Gran Turismo, which cost between $122,800 and $196,800 based on available performance.

Of course, that suggestion is laughable, as those cars would never be cross-shopped and their respective demographics likely have a mutual enmity. By comparison, rivals like the Ford Shelby GT500 and Dodge Challenger SRT-8 392 retail for $48,645 and $42,780 respectively. The ZL1 will also hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 184 mph.

In the most recent example of an aquatic-predator-themed-cable-television-theme-programming tie in, Audi is jumping on the same themed-television-bandwagon as Discovery Channel’s Shark Week.

The rather cumbersomely-named “R8 GT Week” will feature daily videos that show off the R8 GT’s performance as it laps Infineon Raceway, with Audi racer Emanuele Pirro behind the wheel. Pirro won five LeMans championships, three of which were with Audi, so he certainly qualifies as an expert.

Unlike the availability of Shark Week on basic cable—as well as its ability to infiltrate pop culture consciousness—Audi’s own Week will be on its Youtube channel. Don’t call it Shark Week, however—BMW still has a trademark on that.

There has been a whole lot of buzz around Audi’s R8 GT since its official debut, and now we have the first photos of the lighter and faster exotic sports car hitting the track at Infineon Raceway. This is the R8 GT’s debut on the track in America and a few lucky individuals were able to get behind the wheel of the sports car this past weekend.

Jealous? It’s hard not to be with 560-hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque from the R8 GT’s 5.2L V10.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT at Infineon Raceway

Audi’s Le Mans participation this year was all forms of glorious, from insane crashes to a triumphant podium finish. But mixed in with the excitement of the actual 24 Hour race was the debut of the 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder. Sporting 560-hp and 398 ft-lbs of torque from its 5.2L V10, the ragtop Audi goes from 0-60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds, this time with its top down.

And of course we’re loving that Audi showed off the matte blue finish on the Spyder – a color we’d consider if we were so fortunate as to be able to afford one of the just 333 units being made.

GALLERY: 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder

You want it all… you just can’t afford it. But what you can afford is the Luxury Toys For Men book that is full of toys you will never own.

Offering 138 full-color photographs, this book is available in English, German, French, Spanish and Italian and features the ultimate wish list of luxury toys that men want. And making it to the top of the list is the Aston Martin One-77. For a mere $1.7 million, the special edition Aston Martin One-77 is limited to only 77 cars. A few of the other luxury vehicles that made it into the book include the Audi R8 GT, Rolls-Royce Ghost, Jaguar XKR Special Edition, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition and the Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible.

The book also features luxe living necessities such as electronics, accessories and gadgets. Just a few of the things you wish you had are the Ecosse Titanium Series RR motorcycle, SportRiva 56′ and Aguti 20M yachts, Challenger 850 and Citation CJ4 jets, and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Grand Prix watches.

[Source: Born Rich]

The first of 333 limited edition Audi R8 GTs was delivered to its rightful owner in the UK this week. Sporting 560-hp, the Audi R8 GT has already been accounted for by future owners in 23 different countries. The first one to hit the streets however will be a Phantom Black R8 GT and we’re hoping it won’t be one of those that end up on our blog wrecked and demolished.

Enhancements to the already potent R8 from Audi makes the R8 GT one of the most exclusive sports cars in the world. It features a hand-built aluminum body constructed of Audi Space Frame and weighs in at merely 463-lbs. By incorporating more carbon fiber throughout the car, Audi also reduces the overall weight of the R8 GT by 220-lbs compared to its R8 5.2 FSI quattro counterpart.

Powered by a 5.2L V10, its 560-hp compared with the 3,362-lb weight of the R8 GT makes for an impressive driving experience. For aesthetics, the R8 GT has subtle differences in its newly designed bumpers in carbon fiber while the interior receives bucket seats. The R8 GT was available with a starting price of $276,780.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT

Audi will apparently produce an R8 GT Spyder, defeating the purpose of the lighter, more performance-oriented R8 GT, but opening up a whole new market for their supercar, and those more concerned with looking fast than going fast.

The Spyder will likely pack the same 552-horsepower 5.2L V10 as the coupe, but be limited to 193mph, as opposed to 199mph in the hardtop. The Spyder will also likely be limited to 333 units. Roughly 220 pounds will be cut from the car’s weight thanks to an abundance of carbon fiber parts, thinner glass and a revised braking system. Audi will preview the car at Le Mans in June, with a proper unveiling at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September.

[Source: Autocar]

Audi‘s most exclusive and powerful R8 model yet, the R8 GT, will retail for $196,800 when it hits dealers this year. The German exotic isn’t likely to see any showrooms though, with just 90 models earmarked for the U.S., every model is likely already spoken for.

The R8 GT is powered by the same 5.2-liter V10 engine shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, but it mated to Audi’s R-Tronic sequential transmission. Power is rated at 560-hp, enabling the AWD machine to hit 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 199-mph.

Weighing 180-lbs less than the standard V10-powered R8, the GT gets plenty of light weight carbon fiber goodies, from the rear hatch, to the spoiler and front splitter.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT

Audi‘s upcoming R8 GT will go on sale next summer for the low, low price of $198,000, including destination charges. With a 560 horsepower V10 derived from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4  and an automated manual transmission, the R8 GT will be the most hardcore R8 offered, but only 111 of the 333 units will make it to North America.

North American models won’t be getting the best options, like fixed back racing seats, roll cage, fire extinguisher, and a kill switch. The rest of the world gets to enjoy these race-ready modifications thanks to their lack of nanny-state vehicle regulations like side airbag laws. Who needs those anyways?

[Source: Inside Line]

Audi‘s R8 GT, the most hardcore version of its R8 sports car, got its first public premiere at the Paris Auto Show. Sporting a 40 horsepower bump from its 5.2L V10 engine (up to 560 horsepower) and a host of weight reductions thanks to the use of carbon fiber, polycarbonate windows and thinner glass, the R8 GT should satisfy the most hardcore sports car addicts.

Only 333 examples will be made, and if you haven’t already been invited to buy one, you probably will never have the chance to own one. That and the $256,000 price tag.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Gallery: Audi R8 GT

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If you’re like us, or happen to have a heart beat, then you probably can’t get enough of Audi‘s new R8 GT. Knowing everyone on the planet is likely to feel the same, those crafty Germans at Audi have decided to release more glorious (and artistic) photos of the light-weight exotic.

Boasting 40 more horsepower than the standard V10-powered R8, the GT model will give a Lamborghini Superleggera a run for it with 560-hp and a 0-60 mph time of 3.6 seconds. This is achieved using a 6-speed R-Tronic sequential manual and Cup tires. Along with the stunning body work upgrades, the car actually weighs 220 lbs less thanks to a thinner windshield, a carbon-fiber trunk, lighter airboxes, seats and lighter braes.

There’s still no word on when the R8 GT will go on sale, but Audi announced it will retail for 193,000 Euros, or roughly $256,000 U.S. at today’s exchange rates.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT

Less than a week after spy photos of an R8 sporting a rear hatch spoiler started floating around the internet, Audi has announced an all-new R8 GT, with a host of lightweight parts and a 40 horsepower increase over the standard R8 V10.

To shave weight from the car, Audi engineers went on an almost obsessive quest to lighten the car, doing everything from fitting a thinner windshield, to crafting the trunk out of Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic. Other minor improvements, such as a lighter airbox, seats, braking system – all in increments of a few pounds here or there – add up to a 220 lb reduction compared to the standard car.

Outside, special badging, a rear wing and new wheels are the most defining characteristics of the R8 GT. Audi claims that the GT will be able to hit 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, and will put the 560 horsepower to the ground through the 6-speed R-Tronic sequential manual. Chassis upgrades include optional Cup tires (no mention of what brand) and interestingly a “manually adjustable coilover suspension.” No further details were given, but this sort of equipment is usually reserved for the aftermarket and costs thousands of dollars to install. Given that four-point harnesses, a roll cage and a special cam lock for the harnesses are options, it seems to be that the R8 GT is intended to be a seriously hardcore performance car aimed right at the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

No word on when the R8 GT will go on sale, but Audi announced it will retail for 193,000 Euros, or roughly $256,000 U.S. at today’s exchange rates. In the mean time, we’ll be waiting patiently for our chance to drive one at the inevitable launch event.

GALLERY: Audi R8 GT

Press Release After The Jump:

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