Photo: SB-Medien
Audi's quattro super sportscar is about to open a new chapter, widely expected to happen in the first half of 2015. And just like BMW did with its M3 and M4, Audi wants to have the racing version at the same time. Win on Sunday, sales on Monday. Which is why this R8 LMS Ultra prototype race car emerged for track testing at the Nurburgring – in order to prepare for its big day on the track.
For those of you unfamiliar with the car, the R8 LMS Ultra is an endurance racer used by many teams in series like the ADAC GT Masters, Blancpain Endurance, VLN or the legendary 24 hour race at the Nurburgring.
During the early morning test, the R8 prototype suddenly stopped and had to be towed away on a platform. Should this be an embarrassment for the Vorsprung Durch Technik guys? No, not when you consider less than half that start a 24 hour endurance race also finish it. High-tech track machines are prone to breakdowns.
Looking at front of the car, we can immediately tell how the new headlights will look. The grille is also almost in production form and the side air vents have a square shape, just like on the new TT. It appears the new R8 will also join the A6, A7 and A8 in changing its full-LED headlight design, something already offered since 2013 on the facelift.
In most cases where new race cars come out at the same time road model, they aren't ready for the full season, especially since the teams have to see them and decide to buy for sums in the region of half a million dollars. It's likely that the LMS uses an older V10 engine and will debut next summer.
During the early morning test, the R8 prototype suddenly stopped and had to be towed away on a platform. Should this be an embarrassment for the Vorsprung Durch Technik guys? No, not when you consider less than half that start a 24 hour endurance race also finish it. High-tech track machines are prone to breakdowns.
Epic looks
The R8 LMS Ultra ports beefy wheel arches and a massive wing, both of which will not be present on the normal Mk2 R. However, these latest spy photos do reveal some design details.Looking at front of the car, we can immediately tell how the new headlights will look. The grille is also almost in production form and the side air vents have a square shape, just like on the new TT. It appears the new R8 will also join the A6, A7 and A8 in changing its full-LED headlight design, something already offered since 2013 on the facelift.
In most cases where new race cars come out at the same time road model, they aren't ready for the full season, especially since the teams have to see them and decide to buy for sums in the region of half a million dollars. It's likely that the LMS uses an older V10 engine and will debut next summer.
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