Fastest model is now even hotter: Extensive update for Audi R8

“The R8 occupies a unique position for Audi in every respect,” says Michael-Julius Renz, Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH. “It’s now even more powerful and faster.” adds Oliver Hoffmann, Technical Managing Director of Audi Sport GmbH: “Motorsport is part of our DNA. With around 50 percent shared parts with the R8 LMS GT3 and even 60 percent with the R8 LMS GT4, no other automobile is so close to motor racing as the R8.”

Even more powerful: the engines
Instant response, lightning-fast high-revving and a unique sound – the heart of the Audi R8 is its V10 naturally aspirated engine. It is available to customers in two output ratings. The almost identical drive technology of the V10 engine in the R8 LMS GT3 and R8 LMS GT4 is put to good use on the racetrack. The V10, which is produced at the engine plant in Győr, Hungary, is very compact. A separate radiator controls the temperature of the engine oil, which comes from a dry sump. This principle was adopted from motor racing and allows for an extremely low installation position of the engine, producing a low center of gravity. The pump module operates with multiple suction stages and assures proper lubrication under all conditions – including during lateral acceleration of around 1.5 G, which is possible in the R8. Both engines have a gasoline particulate filter.

Razor-sharp precision: the suspension
Modifications to the suspension provide even more stability and precision. The assistance has been retuned both with the optional dynamic steering and the electromechanical power steering: Steering response and the feedback from the road come across as even more precise across the entire range of speeds.

Depending on the selected engine, the three additional programs dry, wet and snow are added to the well-known Audi drive select modes with the performance mode. They adapt the key dynamic parameters to the friction coefficient of the road. Thanks to the enhanced Electronic Stabilization Control (ESC), the top-of-the-line model brakes from 100 km/h (62.1 mph) to a standstill up to 1.5 meters (4.9 ft) earlier; the stopping distance from 200 km/h (124.3 mph) is up to five meters (16.4 ft) shorter – in each case depending on the exterior conditions.

The new Audi R8 is equipped with factory-installed 19-inch wheels. Ultralight 20-inch fully milled wheels in five-V dynamic design with new summer and sport tires, which convey even more precise handling, are available as an option. Audi offers ceramic brake discs as an alternative to the standard steel discs. The stabilizer at the front is optionally made from carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and aluminum, which cuts weight by around two kilograms (4.4 lb).

Sharper and tauter: the design
The honed character of the new R8 models also becomes clear visually. The Singleframe radiator grille has a wider, flatter line. Thick bars divide up the large air inlets. Flat slits in the hood are reminiscent of the Audi Ur-quattro brand icon. The new front splitter is now wider, as is the striking low-set air vent grille at the rear. The grille rounds off the diffuser that extends quite some way up. All of which underlines the sporty look of the Audi R8. In the engine compartment the air filter is situated under a new, three-part cover – available in a choice of plastic or carbon fiber.

R8 customers can choose from up to three exterior packages, depending on the engine variant; these packages add various highlights to the front splitter, the side trims and the diffuser. As an option, the Audi rings and badges on the exterior are painted in high-gloss black. The new metallic colors Kemora Gray and Ascari Blue add to the paint range. The Audi exclusive range gives customers the opportunity to customize many details of their Audi R8 – inside and out.

The new R8 models will be arriving at dealerships in Germany and other European countries in the course of the first quarter of 2019. The models will go on sale in early 2019. 

Customers win titles in China, the Canary Islands and in the Benelux region with Audi Sport

Audi RS 3 LMS (TCR)

Title and runner-up finish for Leopard Lukoil Team: In Barcelona, Leopard Lukoil Team experienced a strong finale of the TCR Europe and the TCR Benelux. Although, due to the regulations, Jean-Karl Vernay’s Audi RS 3 LMS with a weight of 1,315 kilograms was the heaviest car in the field and therefore not in contention for podium positions in the overall classification, the squad closed its maiden European season in Audi’s TCR touring car with two top places. Frenchman Vernay who lives in Luxembourg won the Benelux classification in both sprint races which earned him the TCR Benelux title even though he was forced to skip the first of five events. In addition, Leopard Lukoil Team won the teams’ classification. At the same time, the races were also counted in the TCR Europe. Although Vernay had to skip an event there as well, he finished the season runner-up in the field of 50 entrants behind Spaniard Mikel Azcona, the runner-up from the 2017 Audi Sport TT Cup.

Three-fold success in Italy: On the race weekend of the Gruppo Peroni Race at Misano, there were three reasons to celebrate. In the Coppa Italia Turismo, Eric Brigliadori won both sprints in an Audi RS 3 LMS of Team BF Motorsport. At the same event, another Audi competed in an endurance race. In round five of the 3 Ore Endurance Champions Cup, Team Tecnodom scored a class win. The two Italians Jonathan Giacon and Luca Rangoni won the TCR class in an Audi RS 3 LMS after three hours of racing with a three-lap advantage.

Second place on the Nordschleife: Team Møller Bil from Norway ended the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring season by scoring a second place. Håkon Schjærin/Atle Gulbrandsen/Kenneth Østvold in an Audi RS 3 LMS finished on podium of the TCR class in the finale. As a result, the three Norwegians have been determined as the 2018 runners-up in the TCR classification of the series in which 42 entrants are classified. 

To Japan with momentum: The six Audi drivers are traveling to round nine of the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup at Suzuka highly motivated. Audi Sport Leopard Lukoil Team is arriving with Gordon Shedden and Jean-Karl Vernay who previously celebrated his third victory this season at Wuhan, China, and since then has won his first title in an Audi RS 3 LMS in the TCR Benelux. His teammate is Gordon Shedden who recorded his first pole position and first victory this season at Wuhan. Frédéric Vervisch from Audi Sport Team Comtoyou on clinching second place at Wuhan celebrated his sixth podium finish in the FIA WTCR. In addition to the three Audi Sport drivers, three privateers are racing an Audi RS 3 LMS. Vervisch’s teammate, Denis Dupont, most recently at the two events in China clinched two third places within the space of one week and in doing so showed his best performance this season. Nathanaël Berthon from Comtoyou Racing, having placed third in race two, returned from Wuhan with his first trophy as well. Finally, his teammate, Aurélien Panis, scored points in China for the ninth time this year. However, the Grand Prix circuit in Japan holds a challenging task in store for the drivers: Due to the regulations, the Audi RS 3 LMS has to compete with the highest compensatory weight of 60 kilograms there which means that it will tip the scales at 1,325 kilograms.

Coming up next week

25–28/10 Buriram (THA), rounds 7 and 8, Thailand Super Series

26–28/10 Laguna Seca (USA), round 4, Intercontinental GT Challenge

26–28/10 Mugello (I), rounds 13 and 14, Italian GT Championship

26–28/10 Portimão (P), rounds 7 and 8, TCR Portugal

26–28/10 Sydney (AUS), rounds 7 and 8, GT-1 Australia

27/10 Nova Santa Rita (BR), round 6, Campeonato Brasileiro de Endurance

27–28/10 Suzuka (J), rounds 25 to 27, WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup

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Season finale at Laguna Seca, California: Three Audi R8 LMS with unique liveries

Audi Sport Team Land is fielding a race car with Audi Sport drivers Christopher Haase/Kelvin van der Linde/Christopher Mies (D/ZA/D). Audi Sport Team WRT is traveling to America with Audi factory driver Robin Frijns (NL), Audi Sport drivers Dries Vanthoor (B) and Markus Winkelhock (D), and Stuart Leonard/Sheldon van der Linde/Alex Riberas (GB/ZA/E). Title defender Markus Winkelhock and his compatriot Christopher Haase are currently trailing the front runners in the standings by 18 points. 25 points are awarded for victory. In the manufacturers’ classification, Audi is separated from Mercedes-AMG by a nine-point gap. Each brand can still score a maximum of 43 points. In the series that has been held since 2016, Audi with its drivers remained unbeaten in the manufacturers’ and drivers’ classifications for two consecutive years. 

In addition to the GT3 sports cars, the GT4 class and the TCR category are enhancing the California 8 Hours this year. Seven marques are represented in the GT4 field for production-based sports cars. The two customer teams GMG Racing and Rearden Racing rely on the Audi R8 LMS GT4. GMG Racing team principal and driver James Sofronas is sharing the cockpit with Jason Bell and Andrew Davis. Sofronas, since August, has won three drivers’ titles plus the teams’ title in the Pirelli World Challenge with the Audi R8 LMS GT4. They marked the first championship wins of Audi Sport customer racing’s most recent race car that subsequently won titles in the European Championship and in France as well. Team Rearden Racing is fielding two of these race cars and has signed the driver pairings of Jeff Kearl/Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton/Jessica Burton/James Burke. Finally, Team M1GT Racing is putting an Audi RS 3 LMS for Walt Bowlin/Jerimy Daniel/Lars Viljoen on the grid. The TCR race car won its class in North America in the Pirelli World Challenge in 2017. In 2018, it won the TCR classification in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge.

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Offer for the future: Audi offers customers a new environmental and exchange incentive

No matter which model or which brand: Every owner of a diesel car with the Euro 1 to Euro 4 emissions standard can benefit from the environmental bonus at Audi. If the customer chooses a new Audi with the Euro 6 standard, he or she receives a price advantage of up to 10,000 euros, depending on the model. This bonus is valid throughout Germany. The old vehicle will be deregistered and scrapped.

Alternatively, Audi is making a new offer to owners of diesel vehicles in 14 German cities and neighboring rural districts with heavily polluted air quality with the change incentive. Diesel owners receive the bonus when they trade in a car with the Euro 4 or Euro 5 emission standard. The price incentive depends on the model and amounts to up to 9,000 euros. It is planned that the eligible customers will soon receive a letter from the Federal Motor Transport Authority entitling them to take advantage of the offers from the participating retailers.

Both exchange programs apply to the changeover to new cars and young used cars from Audi, regardless of their drive system, whether diesel, gasoline or all-electric. For young used cars, the incentive is 75 percent of the new-car incentive. Customers can take advantage of the price incentive through their Audi dealers as of now.

Questions about the terms and conditions of the environmental and exchange incentive can be answered by Audi Customer Service (E-mail: kundenbetreuung@audi.de).

Abt and di Grassi test new Audi e-tron FE05

#66 and #11 – these are the numbers of the cars in which Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi intend to defend the title in the teams’ classification and battle for the drivers’ title. The 25-year-old German has retained the number he once chose himself whereas the Brazilian is switching back to his favorite number following a year as champion in car number 1. In Valencia, both of Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler’s Audi e-tron FE05 cars are on track together for the first time. While Daniel Abt has two white front wheel arches and red mirrors, di Grassi can be recognized by black mirrors and black front wheel arches, among other things. 

“Following the private tests in recent months, the pre-season test in Valencia now mark both the conclusion and pinnacle of our preparations on the track,” says Team Principal Allan McNish. “It is the first and only direct comparison with the competition and therefore an important assessment for every team of where it stands.” In addition, a simulation of the new race format that will no longer include a mid-race car swap but a new “attack mode” which is armed when the driver passes through the so called “activation zone” is planned as well. When the driver passes through this zone, the power output of his car will receive a short-term boost. 

While Formula E is facing major changes in terms of technology and regulations before season five, Audi has opted for consistency both on the track and trackside: Daniel Abt and Lucas di Grassi form the only driver pairing in the field to have contested all previous 45 Formula E races side by side. No other duo has clinched as many trophies in the process. All partners and sponsors have remained on board as well: In addition to technology partner Schaeffler, who together with Audi is responsible for the development of the Audi Schaeffler MGU03 motor-generator unit, Alpinestars, Deutsche Post, DHL, HYLA, ITK Engineering, KUKA, LGT, MASCOT, Riello UPS and, last but not least, long-standing partner Würth Elektronik are part of the team. 

The pre-season tests in Valencia will continue until Friday. Afterwards, the two Audi e-tron FE05 will return to the team in Kempten once more for preparation before being loaded on November 20 to embark on their journey to Saudi Arabia. On December 15, the first of the new season’s 13 races will be held at Ad Diriyah on the outskirts of Riyadh. Besides the Audi Sport ABT Schaeffler factory team, the squad of Envision Virgin Racing will compete with two Audi e-tron FE05 cars driven by Sam Bird and Robin Frijns.