Audi's Nurburgring Challenger
GT3 car takes the fight to Porsche, and inspires new R8 GT road car
The ultimate Audi – the R8 GT – is the product of the German firm’s relentless product research and development offensive. But as well as the road car division, the brand has a significant presence in global motorsport, including its stunning R8-based LMS race cars – the knowledge from which has been fed back into the development of the road-going GT.
The LMS was designed by Audi to race in the GT3 category, to fight for outright wins in endurance events like the Nürburgring 24-hour race. The cars made their debut last year, winning three championships and taking 23 race victories from 76 event starts.
Like the GT, the LMS is based on the V10-powered R8. The race car has a complex aerodynamics package which has strongly influenced the fastest road-going R8, particularly at the rear which its downforce-generating diffuser and fixed rear wing.
The GT is only available with the automated manual R Tronic gearbox, which the racer has a six-speed sequential. Both cars share roughly the same power and are both lightweights. But while the GT tips the scales at 1,525kg thanks to its luxury interior, the racer weighs just 1,250kg.
One thing is for sure. The limited run of 333 R8 GTs is likely to sell out extremely quickly when the car goes on sale in mid-may for £142,000. The race car is sold out for 2010 too, and that’s despite costing £260,000+VAT!
