The original Audi R8 LMS was introduced as the racing version of the second-generation R8 Type 4S. Despite sharing the R8 name with its road-going counterpart, the LMS GT3 shares very little mechanically with the production car. A race-specification V10 engine produces a peak power output of around 430 kW, while the removal of the road car's quattro all-wheel-drive system and the use of mixed materials — aluminum in the Audi Space Frame, structural carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer components, and a steel roll cage — reduced the chassis weight to approximately 252 kg. These measures brought the complete car's weight down to around 1,225 kg.
The car incorporates a range of safety features developed in parallel with Audi's LMP1 program. The special racing seat, originally derived from the R18 e-Tron Quattro, connects directly to the chassis for additional structural stiffness. A rescue opening in the roof — enabling a helmet to be lifted without spinal strain — was a first for any GT3 car when introduced. Fresh air circulation in the cockpit delivers approximately 250 litres per second at 200 km/h.
The first update, called the R8 LMS Evo, arrived ahead of the 2019 season. It introduced new bodywork including a revised front splitter for improved downforce and an upgraded gearbox. Existing owners could purchase an Evo conversion kit.
Audi Sport revealed the EVO II in 2021. The revision covered improved aerodynamics, revised engine characteristics, upgraded air conditioning, suspension refinements, and enhanced traction control systems. Like the first Evo, the EVO II was offered both as a new-build vehicle and as an upgrade kit for existing R8 LMS customers, protecting the resale value of cars already in customer hands.
The Audi R8 LMS EVO II was added to Assetto Corsa Competizione as the current-specification Audi GT3 entry. In the simulation the car is notable for its rear-wheel-drive layout — unusual for Audi's road cars, which use quattro all-wheel drive — and for the high-revving character of its V10 engine. Drivers in ACC typically describe the car as demanding on rear tyre management, with handling characteristics that reward smooth entry into slow corners. The V10 engine's wide power band is a recognizable trait compared to the turbocharged inline engines found in rivals such as the BMW M4 GT3.
The Audi R8 LMS won the 2018 Bathurst 12 Hour overall. The GT3 lineage has been campaigned across the Blancpain GT Series, GT World Challenge Europe, ADAC GT Masters, Super GT GT300 class, and IMSA. Audi's customer racing network ensured high entry numbers across multiple continents throughout the car's competitive lifespan.
The aerodynamic concept of the R8 LMS introduced a fully lined underfloor and a conceptually integrated rear diffuser, allowing the rear wing dimensions to be reduced without a corresponding increase in drag. Rearward-opening wheel arches improve airflow management around the tire. The radiator's airflow rate and cooling area were increased by ten percent over the previous generation to handle elevated ambient temperatures during endurance events.
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