Audi has pretty much confirmed that an all-new R8 will debut next year, which will even go as far as to offer an e-tron electric powertrain. Just like the Huracan is much faster than any Gallardo, we expect current versions of the quattro sportscar to look a little shabby. However, as a sort of Audi-labeled new year's resolution, we have to take one last look at the R8 LMX.
The R8 name means a lot to us and it's always exciting to see a new evolution of that car. The LMX does two jobs at once. First, it's the fastest, most advanced road-legal version of the R8. And secondly, it's Audi's first production car with laser headlights. We're not going to go into a long argument about who was first, the i8 or the LMX, but laser headlights are simply something no other Audi can offer right now.
Each headlight module comes with four highpower laser diodes. With a diameter of just 300 micrometers, these generate a blue laser beam with a wavelength of 450 nanometers. A phosphor converter transforms this into roadworthy white light with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin – ideal conditions for the human eye.
The LMX is the fastest Audi around, thanks to a 5.2-liter V10 that’s been cranked up to 570 hp and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque. Lamborghini Gallardo levels of power mean 0 to 100 km/h takes just 3.4 seconds and the top speed is a frightening 320 km/h (199 mph).
Of course, you can't really see the laser headlights in action in this walkaround video. But you can check out the exciting Ara Blue paintjob and the other touches that Audi Exclusive have put. This car will turn a lot of heads, but demands an exorbitant €210,000 in return. Only 99 of these are ever going to be made, this being unit number 15.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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