Audi updates the R8 LMS racer for 2010

By Sam Burnett

First Official Pictures

09 March 2010 11:02

Audi has started delivering updated R8 LMS cars to racing teams across Europe ahead of the new season.

Built to FIA GT3 spec, the ‘evolution’ cars will be delivered by mid-April 2010. Introduced in 2009, the the R8 LMS won three championship titles and 23 wins out of 73 races in its first year.

What has Audi changed on the updated R8 LMS?

The updated car includes changes to the chassis and suspension, a new six-speed sequential gearbox and a revised cooling system to improve the car’s performance in high ambient temperatures. Audi says the new car has been extensively tested ahead of the new season of racing.

With a 5.2-litre V10 engine delivering 500bhp and a kerbweight of just 1250kg, the R8 LMS is capable of hitting speeds of over 200mph. The cars will race in GT3 championships across Europe as well as the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in May.

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport, says: ‘During our evolution project we primarily focused on service life and maintenance-friendliness. All the experience we gathered last season with the help of our partners has been fed into the evolution-version.’

Sounds nice. Can I buy one? 

Sadly not – the final version of the car would cost you around £316,000 as well as the not insignificant cost of running a racing team. And the 2010 cars are already sold out, anyway.

The R8 LMS is built around a chassis taken off the main R8 production line, so the real thing is almost as good. And comes with a Bang & Olufsen sound system if you like your creature comforts.

By Sam Burnett