The R8 LMS Evo II was developed as a specialized racing version of the Type 4S R8, which originally entered production in late 2014. While the road-going R8 was designed as an all-wheel-drive sports car sharing a platform with the Lamborghini Huracán, the LMS variants were engineered for GT3 competition. These regulations necessitated the removal of the standard all-wheel-drive system in favor of a rear-wheel-drive layout.
The Evo II update was designed to improve the car's characteristics across several key areas, including aerodynamics, engine characteristics, traction control, suspension, and air conditioning. Like its predecessor, the Evo II was made available to customers as a completely new vehicle or as an upgrade kit for existing Audi R8 LMS models.
The R8 LMS Evo II utilizes a race-specification V10 engine capable of developing a peak power output of 430 kW (577 hp; 585 PS). The chassis is constructed using the Audi Space Frame (ASF), which incorporates an intelligent mix of materials such as aluminum, a structural Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) component, and a steel roll cage. According to the manufacturer, this combination of materials and the removal of the all-wheel-drive system makes the chassis approximately 30 kg (66 lb) lighter than the standard configuration, weighing 252 kg (556 lb). The overall weight of the vehicle is 1,225 kg (2,701 lb).
Distinctive technical and safety innovations include:
Aerodynamics: The car features an aerodynamic concept with a fully lined underfloor and an integrated rear diffuser, allowing for a smaller rear wing without a corresponding increase in aerodynamic drag. The Evo II specifically introduced improved aerodynamics over the 2018 Evo model.
Safety Systems: The car uses the PS1 racing seat from the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, which is connected directly to the chassis for increased stiffness. It also features a rescue opening in the roof—a first for GT3 cars—allowing a driver's helmet to be lifted after an accident in a manner that avoids straining the spinal column.
Chassis and Handling: The vehicle employs a height and length adjustable safety steering column and a quickly adjustable foot lever system. The Evo II update specifically refined the suspension and traction control systems.
Manufacturing: The racing chassis is integrated into the basic production process at the Böllinger Höfe facility alongside the road-going R8, including the cathodic dip painting (CDP) priming stage, before being completed in Heilbronn-Biberach.
The R8 LMS platform has been utilized extensively in global competition. The R8 LMS lineage has achieved notable successes, including an overall victory at the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour race. The car is also eligible for various international series, and its GT2 counterpart achieved an overall win at the 2022 24 Hours of Zolder.
Beyond customer racing, the Audi R8 has served in official capacities 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.
The design of the R8 LMS was influenced by the 2016 regulations, which imposed constraints on aerodynamic design. Audi addressed these requirements by implementing the lined underfloor and integrated diffuser to maintain performance while reducing the dimensions of the rear wing. The Evo II update in 2021 continued this development path, improving engine characteristics and handling within the established racing frameworks.
The development of the R8 LMS GT3 program influenced the creation of other specialized racing variants. These include the R8 LMS GT4, an entry-level model for amateur drivers with a 5.2-litre V10 engine rated at 496 PS (365 kW; 489 hp), and the R8 LMS GT2. The GT2 version is the most powerful car in Audi customer racing history, producing 640 hp. In 2023, a road-legal version of the GT2 variant was created by the German racing team and tuner Abt Sportsline, called the XGT.
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