New Audi R8 LMS GT4

Audi Sport customer racing headed for growth

Before the New York International Auto Show the Audi R8 LMS premiered in its GT4 version. Audi Sport GmbH’s customer racing program has been experiencing rapid growth. Audi has been offering the Audi R8 LMS GT3 race car since 2009, followed by the second generation of this success model in 2015, and the RS 3 LMS for the TCR category in 2016. Now Audi Sport’s portfolio of models has been extended once again.

The Audi R8 LMS GT4 stands for production-based racing. It has directly been derived from the road-approved Audi R8 Coupé V10, is powerful and offers a high level of safety. At the same time, it is an affordable choice in terms of purchasing price and cost of ownership. It is the ideal race car for amateur campaigners, in line with the spirit of the GT4 regulations that continue a great sports car tradition, as fascinating road-going sports cars were a popular base in GT racing around the world more than half a century ago.

In racing, the audience will be able to see the production-based Audi R8 LMS GT4 for the first time in the Nürburgring 24 Hours from May 25 to 28. With that, the brand fills another growth category in international motorsport. The GT4 class, which originated in Europe, will be intensively marketed on an international scale starting in 2017, with fielding opportunities in North America, Asia, Australia and Europe. “13 racing series in which GT4 models can compete worldwide already exist today worldwide,” says Stephan Winkelmann, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “Audi Sport GmbH is one of the leading manufacturers offering cars in the GT3 and TCR customer sport categories.

 Now we’re targeting the GT4 class at exactly the right time. These fast-growing business segments and the DNA shared by our race cars and production vehicles underscore our ambition to become a true global player in the high-performance league.”

The Audi R8 LMS GT4 shares more than 60 percent of its assembly components with the road-approved Audi R8 Coupé and is produced at the Böllinger Höfe site as well. The customers of the new race car benefit from these synergies in terms of purchasing price and cost of ownership.
Audi Sport is developing the GT4 model, which delivers up to 364 kW (495 HP) depending on its rating, during the course of the 2017 season before a final homologation level has been achieved and approval for racing is requested.

During the second half of the year, the team of Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, will be preparing the production of the race car. Consequently, the first customers will be able to receive the new Audi R8 LMS GT4 before the end of the year. Around the globe, Audi Sport draws on an extensive network of service, spare parts logistics and professional support for the R8 LMS GT4. Audi Sport customer racing has established this infrastructure for the GT3 project on four continents and, like for the RS 3 LMS, uses this proven network for the GT4 model range as well.

Technical Data

 Engine

Type 90° V 10 gasoline engine with combined multi-point and gasoline direct
injection, 4 valves per cylinder, four double overhead camshafts,
longitudinally mounted in front of the rear axle
Emission control system Upstream oxygen sensor, metal catalytic converters
Engine management 2 x Bosch MED 17 (master-slave concept)
Engine lubrication Dry sump
Cubic capacity 5,200 cc
Power output Up to 364 kW (495 HP) *
Torque Over 550 Nm *

Drivetrain/transmission

Type of drive Rear-wheel drive
Clutch Two electrohydraulically operated wet-type multi-plate clutches
Transmission 7-speed double-clutch S tronic transmission with paddle shifters
Differential Mechanical limited-slip differential
Drive shafts Constant-velocity joint shafts

Suspension/steering/brakes

Steering Electrohydraulic rack-and pinion steering, height and length adjustable
steering wheel
Suspension Double wishbones front and rear, 2-way gas pressure dampers, ride
height, toe, camber and stabilizers adjustable
Brakes Hydraulic dual-circuit braking system, steel brake discs front
(380 x 34 mm) and rear (365 x 32 mm)
Wheels 5-hole cast aluminum wheels,
front: 11” x 18” ET 63; rear: 12” x 18” ET 56
Tires Front: 305/645 R18; rear: 325/705 R18

Weight/dimensions

Length/width/height 4,467 mm/1,940 or 2,037 mm **/1.240 mm
Wheelbase 2,650 mm
Dry weight/minimum weight 1,460 kg + X *
Fuel cell capacity 118 l (FT3 safety fuel cell)

Performance

0–100 km/h Under 4 seconds *
Top speed Over 250 km/h *

* depending on BOP (SRO Balance of Performance)

Source: https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/new-audi-r8-lms-gt4-audi-sport-customer-racing-headed-for-growth-7612

Envisioning the new Audi R10 for 2019

Audi to a new hybrid level

Up until a few years ago, Audi’s cars were executive sedans aimed at people looking for comfort. A few years ago the R8 was released with performance levels similar to a supercar but with the easiness to drive a regular car. It now seems that they might want to tackle a completely new market segment with the 2019 Audi R10. So far the car is nothing more than just a concept which has been designed by an industrial automotive designer from Spain. The car has been heavily inspired by the R10 LeMans racer but it seems to be taking from other current Audi cars as well.

Is it really possible?

Well, Audi showcased their interest to build a true hypercar ever since the R8 was released. This would give them a lot more presence on the market and it would make for a great flagship. If the car will actually be released, we expect a concept as early as 2019 while a production version of it will likely come quite a few years after. Even though nothing is official so far, it is quite likely that Audi will turn once again to Lamborghini, so the upcoming R10 might share its underpinnings with the Aventador or the future Lamborghini hyper-car. This would basically mean that it will cost well over $300,000 which is still fine considering the R8 would perfectly fit under it.

 
The 2019 Audi R10 concept has been heavily inspired by the LeMans race-car and that’s clear from the proportions which look like nothing else out there. The cabin has been moved forward in order to make room for the engine. In size, though it seems to be quite similar to the ongoing R8. The front end looks like nothing else in Audi’s roster but it is safe to assume that it will change for the production model. The sides feature similar flying buttresses to those on the Ford GT but slightly more subtle. The back, on the other hand, features a large center-mounted exhaust and a similar layout to that found on the Lamborghini Murcielago.

 
This is the Audi R10, a new hypercar concept for Audi which goes a step above the R8. Inspired by LMP cars, old F1 cars and jet fighters, with the very advanced position of the cockpit and its characteristic arrow-shaped body. In the front, this new R10 features a smaller and crisper futuristic Audi grille, embraced by sharp-edged LED headlights, whilst the rear has a neat and tidy tail section.
 

Following the Audi’s philosophy “vorsprung durch technik,” this two-seater hypercar, rear mid-engine layout, is a perfect sports machine, capable to hold a TFSI twin-turbo V8 engine combined with an electrical engine, giving a combined power of more than 900 hp, all wheel drive and advanced aerodynamics, with the front wings integrated in the radiator ducts and the rear wings in the stretched and elongated sideblades, which are formed from bare carbon fiber which provide a contrast against the bright white paintwork.

Interior

So far there is nothing available on the car’s cabin but considering this is an Audi, it is safe to assume that it will feature some design cues from their other models. We do expect some influences from the 918 Porsche as well with a slimmer center console and a new digital dashboard recently released for their range.


Sources:http://carnewmodels.com/2019-audi-r10/ and  http://www.newfoxy.com/2016/07/27/2019-audi-r10-new-hypercar-concept-audi/