R8 Audi R8 LMS Evolution Version Announced

[Bartek S.]

http://www.worldcarfans.com/110030824983/audi-r8-lms-evolution-version-announced/highphotos#1


Press Release
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With the delivery of the first customer cars, Audi AG’S GT3 customer sport programme has reached the next phase. By mid-April, 20 Audi R8 LMS vehicles will have been handed over to the teams that are planning to run the GT3 race sportscar in various national and international racing series and in the two 24-hour races at the Nürburgring and at Spa-Francorchamps in the 2010 season.
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After its successful 2009 debut year in which Audi Sport partners clinched three championship titles and 23 victories in 76 racing commitments, the Audi R8 LMS will now be handed over to customers for its second season, as planned. Last week, the American-owned United Autosports team that operates out of Yorkshire in England, was the first team to receive its two R8 LMS cars.
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To offer customer teams a perfect a race car as possible, Audi Sport is making use of the opportunity offered by the GT3 regulations and will obtain FIA homologation of an evolution-version of the R8 LMS which features numerous technical improvements compared with last year’s model. The previous vehicles will be brought up to the current level by an update kit and teams can thus continue to run them.
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"During our evolution project we primarily focused on service life and maintenance-friendliness," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "All the experience we gathered last season with the help of our partners has been fed into the evolution-version. We’re convinced that we’re handing over a reliable and easy to handle vehicle to our customers that embodies the high quality standards of the Audi brand."
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Certain details of the chassis and suspension have been revised. The capacity of the engine’s cooling system has been improved even further so that the R8 LMS can also be used in extreme ambient temperatures without any problems. The complex electronics as well as the exhaust system have been optimized for use in racing. The newly developed six-speed racing transmission is particularly maintenance-friendly. It allows wearing parts to be inspected through an opening in the housing. The transmission does not have to be dismantled for this purpose.
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Over the past few months the evolution-version of the Audi R8 LMS was extensively tested on various race tracks and rigs and its durability proved in several endurance tests.
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The final version of the Audi R8 LMS is available at a price of 298,000 Euros plus VAT. The annual production for 2010 is already sold out. The delivery of vehicles for the 2011 season will start at the end of this year.
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Teams fielding the Audi R8 LMS in the 2010 season
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ABT Sportsline (D): ADAC GT Masters, Nürburgring 24 Hours, VLN *

Audi race experience Team Joest (D): VLN *

Audi Sport Italia (I): Italian GT Championship

Black Falcon (D): VLN, 24-hour race at the Nürburgring, FIA European

GT3 Championship

Brinkmann Racing (D): International GT Open

Mark Eddy (AUS): Australian GT Championship **

ORECA (F): French GT Championship

Phoenix Racing (D): VLN, International GT Open, Nürburgring 24 Hours, Spa 24 Hours

Team Rosberg (D): ADAC GT Masters, FIA European GT3 Championship

United Autosports (USA/GB): FIA European GT3 Championship,

Spa 24 Hours, British GT Championship *

W Racing Team (B): Belcar, French GT Championship
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Other teams in preparation

More pics: WCF Audi R8 LMS Evolution Version Announced​

 

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Audi R8 LMS To Be Homologated for Grand-Am

• Audi targets important U.S. market with new R8 LMS version
• 2012 debut at the 50th running of the Daytona 24 Hours
• Audi Sport customer racing to provide technical customer support


Audi is now preparing the successful R8 LMS customer sport model for the U.S. market as well. A dedicated racing version conforming to Grand-Am regulations is planned to make its debut at the anniversary race of the Daytona 24 Hours in January 2012 in the hands of customers.

Audi’s successful GT3 sports car has celebrated more than 100 victories in Europe, Asia, Australia and South America. From 2012 on, the Audi R8 LMS will now also be available on the North American market. For this purpose, Audi is developing and homologating the brand’s first customer sports race car for the regulations of the Grand-Am Endurance Series in the USA.

Right in time for the 50th running of the Daytona 24 Hours (January 28 to 29, 2012) an endurance race tested, attractive new GT race car will be available to Audi’s customers. With overall victories at the Bathurst 12 Hours in Australia, the Spa and Zolder 24 Hours in Belgium and another GT3 victory at the Nürburgring 24 Hours the production-derived GT3 race car which the U.S. version is based on has again proven its qualities on numerous occasions this year.

For use in the USA, quattro GmbH is modifying the GT3 race car of which more than 40 units have already been sold in the areas of the chassis, body, engine and suspension. The chassis is stiffened by a roll cage with wall thicknesses being increased to two millimeters according to the regulations. A new front splitter, a modified rear diffuser and a standard Grand-Am rear wing change the aerodynamics of the sports car. The rated output of the engine has to be reduced to a lower level of about 331 to 346 kW (450 to 470 HP) by an air restrictor and the engine electronics. At the same time, the capacity of the fuel tank, which can now be filled on both sides of the vehicle, is limited to 83.3 liters. In the area of the wheels and suspension three-part rims are used. The standard anti-lock system and traction control of the R8 LMS are prohibited as driving aids in the USA.

“We’re convinced that we’re making a very attractive offer to our customers in the USA that will meet with great response,” says Romolo Liebchen, Head of customer racing at quattro GmbH. “The anniversary event of the Daytona 24 Hours is a perfect occasion for the debut of the U.S. version of the new Audi R8 LMS.”

At the endurance classic in Florida as well as at the other rounds of the Grand-Am racing series customers can rely on substantial support. Audi Sport customer racing will accompany the entire 2012 season in the USA with a technical crew and provide consultancy to the race teams. In addition, Audi is exploring the possibilities of future uses the Audi R8 LMS at other endurance events in the United States of America.

Audi R8 LMS To Be Homologated for Grand-Am

 

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