Earlier this year, Audi unveiled its all-new R8 LMS GT3 competition car at the Geneva Motor Show. The company has now announced that customers can order the car, with production scheduled to begin on September 21, with the first customers scheduled to receive their race cars before the year is out. Until the end of March 2016, Audi has scheduled production capacities for 45 GT3 race cars.
The LMS has already proved its ability in competition, clinching overall victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring and two further podium places in the Spa 24 Hours in July. “Due to races like these Audi Sport customer racing has developed the Audi R8 LMS in toughest conditions to the level of readiness for customer use. Concurrently, our engineers successfully completed all tests and trials and determined the final specification,” says Heinz Hollerweger, managing director of quattro GmbH.
At the Audi site Böllinger Höfe near the Neckarsulm location, the chassis of the production model and the race cars are manufactured at the same facilities. Audi has implemented an extensive concept for carryover parts for this purpose. About half of the parts for the road-going high-performance sports car and the race car are identical.
The car, which can deliver up to 585 hp depending on the regulations, is offered at the price of €359,000+VAT (US$401,651). In addition, Audi Sport customer racing offers the car including a starter and parts package for the total price of €398,000+VAT (US$445,284).
“Since 2009, Audi has been producing GT3 race cars for customers around the world. In the new R8 LMS, we’re again offering our customers an absolutely competitive concept,” says Romolo Liebchen, head of Audi Sport customer racing.
