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