Apparently it was three-time F1 World Champion Jackie Stewart who first called Germany’s Nürburgring the “Green Hell”. 60 or so years later the nickname stands – the 20km Nordschleife, that runs through the heavily wooded Eifel Mountains, has changed a bit in the last few decades, but it remains a formidable track that takes precisely no prisoners.

Audi is especially proud of its record there. Since 2012 it’s won the Nürburgring 24hrs a whopping five times with the R8 LMS. So, the week before it goes for gold again in 2020’s race, it’s revealed this: the Audi R8 Green Hell.

Mechanically it’s the same as the normal R8 Performance, with a nat-asp V10 making 620hp, all-wheel drive, a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds and a 330km/h top speed. But it’s greener.

No it’s not gone hybrid, Audi has simply painted it a rather lovely shade of green. Though weirdly you can have it in white, grey or black if you prefer. Limited to just 50 cars worldwide, the Green Hell R8 also gets matt black foil-wrapped details and special red-rimmed alloy wheels. Inside there’s lots of Alcantara, lightweight seats and special stitching.

The design is supposed to match the #1 R8 run by Audi Sport Team Phoenix in this weekend’s N24. A good looking pair, no?

STORY Tom Harrison