$460,000 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo from Paris

Audi's New Toy

Audi Sport division has pushed limits and budded into nearly every corner of motorsport. In 2015, they released their R8 LMS GT3 race car, for 2019 they have updated the existing platform to stay relevant in an increasingly competitive class, presenting the finished car in Paris. The new car includes upgrades to the safety, aerodynamics, cooling, and transmission. The redesign of the car focused mostly on feedback from customers. “We’ve put an even stronger focus on our large base of customers and their interests. The pre-design stage of the second evolution of our current model generation was centered on many discussions with our teams,” says Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing. The project focuses on factors that have helped race teams take wins more around the world, continuing to grow both the race teams', and Audi's, success.  

Aerodynamic Upgrades

In reality, there were not a significant amount of upgrades done to the car. The most significant tweaks were done to the aerodynamics and upgraded body. There are scoops, vents, and canards everywhere, each with a particular purpose. At top speed, drag is reduced by a staggering 20%. The front splitter has been reshaped, with a more modern look. Same with the front bumper, with harder edges creating an angular look more favorable to the newly released 2018 R8 road car. There are two aggressive canards on both sides of the front bumper cover with side vents to run airflow down the side of the car, decreasing its drag. Massive vents are riddled all down the side of the car. Placed behind and above the wheels, the vents free the high-pressure zones in the wheel arches and carry airflow from within the wheels. More vents for cooling and intake are set directly behind the doors. All of this followed by a massive rear wing dominating the rear of the car. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo right here in the AudiWorld forum!

Mechanical Components

There are not many mechanical upgrades to report. The transmission has been internally strengthened. Audi redesigned the gear teeth and reinforced bearings. More importantly, they built in a stronger clutch. This will reduce rebuild intervals by 50%, a noteworthy amount. Ultimately this will save race teams a great deal of time and money. For huge race teams with seemingly endless amounts of cash, this doesn’t have as much of an impact. However, for privateer teams that don’t have a steady flow of cash, this can make a dramatic impact on the yearly budget and can swing the decision in what car to run, increasing sales for Audi.

The 5.2l V10 is the same from the road car and remains largely unchanged from the previous generation GT3 car. The engine produces up to 585 hp (430 kW) and over 405 lb-ft (550 Nm) of torque, dependent upon restrictors. It is a direct injected, DOHC, dry sumped V10 with a 90-degree cylinder angle and four valves per cylinder. Engine management is handled by Bosch Motorsport Motronic MS6.4. The V10 is bolted to a pneumatically operated six-speed sequential transmission and finishes into a limited slip differential.  

>>Join the conversation about the 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo right here in the AudiWorld forum!

Side by Side

The similarities to the road going car are quite remarkable. With nearly 60% of the components shared between the two cars. The chassis for both cars are built in the same factory in Heilbronn on the same line. The racing spec cars are subsequently finished with motorsport-spec racing components and are removed from the line when racing-specific parts require manufacturing, being returned to the same line again after.

The 5.2L is no different. Both the road going and racing spec engines are assembled by hand in Győr, Hungary and are nearly identical. This is how such high rebuild cycles are achieved. From the factory, Audi recommends a service interval of 10,000 kilometers and an extremely low 20,000 kilometers for the first rebuild. These rebuild intervals are significantly higher than many of the other manufacturers, and it shows the quality of the engineering that goes into both road and race cars. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo right here in the AudiWorld forum!

Pricing

Audi has priced these ready off-the-line GT3 race cars to sell. A price tag of  €398,00 or $460,000 may sound like a lot but is, in fact, an excellent value. This is a turnkey race car and there is nothing that needs to be done. Pay the fees, hop in the car, and you’re ready to race in an extremely competitive class. It sits at the same price point as its competitors, the Huracán GT3, 650s GT3, AMG GT3, NSX GT3, etc. When price comparing to the other track day cars being released today the Audi beats out the competition in the affordability category. The Aston Martin Valkyrie, as well as the McLaren Senna, are listed well over $450k.

Worry not for those that have existing versions. Audi will also retrofit current R8 LMS GT3’s with the aero kit for $34,900 and the recommended transmission update for $9,900. A measly price to pay to stay modern in the current racing atmosphere. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo right here in the AudiWorld forum!

GT3 is Changing

In the modern GT3 class, there are an increasing amount of options, all of which have gained power and technology. These options forced the creation of the GT4 class. The car continues to get better and better, continuously improving and forcing teams to keep current. The constant need to upgrade is forcing out the blue collar scene that once was GT3 racing. Some can see this as a negative but the GT4 class continues to grow and adopt many of the teams that have fallen out. The cars are accessible as well, creating a hyper-competitive class with a good mix of teams. These turnkey racers are making the sport more competitive and create a useful platform for the manufactures to prove their worth. 

>>Join the conversation about the 2019 R8 LMS GT3 Evo right here in the AudiWorld forum!