The R8 LMS Evo was manufactured by Quattro GmbH at the Bollinger Hofe industrial park in Heilbronn. The production process for the race car is closely integrated with the road-going R8; the racing chassis remains part of the basic production process up to the roof assembly and cathodic dip painting stages. Following these steps, the race cars are completed in Heilbronn-Biberach.
The 2019 Evo update introduced new bodywork, including a revised front splitter to improve downforce, and an improved gearbox. These changes built upon the existing aerodynamic concept of the R8 LMS platform, which includes a fully lined underfloor and a conceptually integrated rear diffuser.
The R8 LMS Evo utilizes the core technical foundation of the R8 LMS GT3. It is powered by a race-specification V10 engine producing a peak power output of 430 kW (577 hp; 585 PS). In accordance with GT3 regulations, the car uses a rear-wheel-drive layout rather than the standard road car's all-wheel-drive system.
The chassis for the GT3-spec R8 is based on the Audi Space Frame (ASF), utilizing a mix of aluminum, structural CFRP components, and a steel roll cage. This chassis weighs 252 kg (556 lb), which is approximately 30 kg (66 lb) lighter than the first-generation racing chassis, while achieving a 39 percent increase in torsional stiffness. The total weight of the vehicle is 1,225 kg (2,701 lb).
Safety features include:
A special PS1 racing seat derived from the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
A carbon fiber crash element at the rear and a modified spaceframe structure at the front.
A rescue opening in the roof, a first for a GT3 car, which allows a driver's helmet to be lifted after an accident in a way that avoids straining the spinal column.
The Audi R8 LMS platform has seen significant success in international motorsport. While the Evo variant was unveiled for the 2019 season, the preceding R8 LMS won the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour race. The R8 platform has also been used as a safety car for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM), and the British Superbike Championship.
To manage high outside temperatures, the cooling area and airflow rate of the front radiator were increased by ten percent over previous designs. For driver comfort and concentration, the cockpit features an improved fresh air circulation system that achieves an airflow rate of 250 liters per second at a speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).
In 2021, Audi Sport revealed the Audi R8 LMS Evo II. This version featured improvements to aerodynamics, engine characteristics, air conditioning, suspension, and traction control. Like its predecessor, the Evo II was made available as a new purchase or as an upgrade kit for previous generation models. Additionally, while the Evo II serves the GT3 category, a road-legal version of the related R8 LMS GT2 was created in 2023 by the German racing team and tuner Abt Sportsline, known as the XGT.
Gallery · 4 related images
