Order books are now officially open for the new Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car, with prices starting from £261,618.
First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, the track-oriented R8 LMS will enter production at Audi’s facilities towards the end of this month, with deliveries due in late October.
A full-blown track monster in the same vein as the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, more than half of the parts used in the Audi R8 LMS are all new, while it’s fully compliant with the FIA’s latest GT3 specifications.
Power comes courtesy of a 5.2-litre dry sump V10 engine that, depending on what the racing regulations will allow, can deliver a maximum of 577bhp with 550Nm of torque.
Thanks to a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic bodyshell draped over a reinforced aluminium frame, the LMS weighs in at just 1,225kg, while the road legal R8 tips the scales at just under 1.6 tonnes.
Steel disc brakes come fitted as standard, along with 18-inch alloy wheels. While the regular R8 uses a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and four-wheel drive, the LMS comes with a six-speed ‘box and rear-wheel drive only.
Romolo Liebchen, head of Audi Sport customer racing, said: “Since 2009, Audi has been producing GT3 race cars for customers around the world. In the new R8 LMS, we’re again offering our customers an absolutely competitive concept.”
Alongside the basic car, of which 49 models will be made between this month and next March, Audi is also offering buyers the R8 LMS with a starter and parts package thrown in for an extra £28,000.
