Given just how Autovox holds some of the hottest after market items around, it is an exciting prospect when it can a project car. Taking inspiration from the bird’s ultra-light and speedy nature, Autovox wanted to shave weight and add power to the super car. That is no mean feat, considering the R8 employs lots of lightweight aluminum in its construction, as well as its power plant is a 4.2-liter naturally aspirated V8 with a potent 430bhp. Its latest one, according to an Audi R8, certainly does not disappoint. As with all the very best project cars, there was a clear goal at heart, and a big clue in cases like this is the name of this extra-special R8: Hummingbird. But if Autovox is up for anything, it’s a challenge. And the Hummingbird is considerably lighter and better than the standard R8 4.2.
The key aspects of this car’s “diet” are a Braille lithium-ion battery pack and carbon fibre bucket seats through the limited version, stripped-out R8 GT. Because of a PES Tuning supercharger kit, the car’s V8 now produces 625bhp and 650Nm (the standard R8 4.2 has 430bhp and 430Nm). That is even more powerful than the range-topping R8 V10 Plus, which has 550bhp and 540Nm. The Hummingbird “hums” better than its un-fettled cousin, too, because of a Capristo exhaust system that endows it with some hard-edged, throaty vocals. Against the standard items, the former is some 20kg lighter and the latter weighs over 30kg less. While that is impressive, the upgrades to its motor are also more so. However, whilst it’s clear this automobile is a far cry from a regular R8 4.2, Autovox has elected to keep the aesthetic mods subtle, though a petrol head with a keen eye will notice how it’s sporting the front side and back bumpers from the R8 V10, along with the model’s flared carbon fiber “side blades” (the R8 4.2 has non-flared products). More carbon fiber can be located in the car’s front lip, rear diff user and rear spoiler.