2020 Audi R8 LMS GT2 is a Wild 630 HP Race Car
Audi has unveiled the R8 LMS GT2, a race car that is more powerful than any other car built under the Customer Racing program. It debuted at Goodwood, ahead of SRO Motorsport Group's GT2 class that is expected to begin next year.
Living Up to its Promise
Audi had previously announced that it was working on more extreme versions of the R8. As of last week, the automaker seems to be delivering on its promise. The 2020 R8 LMS GT2 debuted at the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcasing what Audi has been up to behind the scenes. It was unveiled by the CEO of Audi Sport GmbH Oliver Hoffmann together with 9-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, Head of Audi Sport Chris Reinke, and the event organizer, the Duke of Richmond. The race car is Audi's most powerful R8 since it began its customer racing program 11 years ago.
Photos Courtesy of Motor1
Built for the Future
The R8 has been built for the GT2 racing category that's expected to begin in 2020 in North America and Europe. The race car is faster than the GT3 and GT4 categories. Fans will get to see it race in the GT World Challenge America and the European GT Sports Club series.
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A Class for Amateurs?
A year ago, an announcement was made that a new class of cheaper high-output supercars would be developed for the sake of amateur drivers. There being a GT4 class that's already amateur-oriented, many didn't see the need. The R8 LMS GT2 is now built with updated longitudinal and lateral dynamics that do not put too much pressure on the drivers. It also matches the GT3's lap time and may achieve higher speeds.
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Built for the Circuit
The R8 LMS GT2 will be restricted to the circuit. It adopts an aggressive body that's highlighted by its roof scoop and large wing. The front features a stretched splitter that lets in air through its large opening. The air is directed outwards by the slated vents seen on the hood to increase thermal efficiency. There are winglets fixed to the sides of the nose to help the car stick to the road. Just like in the standard R8, the LMS GT2 features air intake on the side. The rear diffuser and underfloor are both built out of CFRP.
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Upgraded V10
Audi has equipped the LMS GT2 with the most advanced version of the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter engine found in the standard R8. It's a V10 that churns 630 horsepower, 30 more horses than the standard model. This mighty 10-cylinder is expected to surpass the 170 mph speed limit set by its predecessor. It will also be able to get the car from 0-60 mph in just under 3 seconds.
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Weighs Much Less
The team at Audi Sport stripped the LMS GT2 of everything it doesn't need in its interior and replaced many essential elements with lighter components made out of carbon fiber. The exterior also features substantial use of carbon fiber. As a result, the race car weighs about 2,976 pounds, making it 220 pounds lighter than the GT4 variant. The additional power and reduced weight give the R8 LMS GT2 a weight-to-power ratio of 4.6 pounds per horsepower.
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More of the R8 Spyder
Audi Sport claims that the chassis geometry of the LMS GT2 leans more towards that of the R8 Spyder instead of the coupe. The team made multiple aerodynamic tweaks to the race car to make sure it's as sleek as it can be. The roof section is the only part that's been borrowed from the coupe. Other components such as the door cut-out are adapted from the R8 Spyder.
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Performance
To aid amateur drivers, Audi Sport has filled the LMS GT2 with plenty of electronic controls. These include Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), And Traction Control (ASR). All the power produced by the V10 engine is transmitted through a 7-speed double-clutch transmission dubbed "S-Tronic." It's operated by using flappy paddles.
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Price
The R8 LMS GT2 is priced at $380,000. If you think this is a lot of money, the GT3 variant goes for $405,000 and, this is without the extra $41,000 spare package. Audi is already accepting orders for the LMS GT2. Deliveries are expected to begin this December as we await the opening of the GT2 class come next year.
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