The Audi R8 LMS GT4 is a real success, with 50 units produced so far

Supercars have the opportunity to grow even further in terms of performance and tuning, something they achieve with their racing variants. Audi is recognised as a brand with extensive experience in both fields and, thanks to a strong foundation such as that offered by the standard R8, it has been able to develop a variant bearing the LMS and GT4 designations. As with the road model, efficiency and precision carry over to the competition model: two characteristics that the customers of the brand with the four rings have known how to appreciate.

The success of the Audi R8 among supercars is unprecedented, just as is the case with its close relative the Lamborghini Huracán, with its 10,000 units sold. The competition variant is a perfect reflection of the good work the German brand has done with the less radical version of the supercar, since 50 units have already been sold.

The number of units may not be very impressive in itself but, considering the type of vehicle it is and that it has been in production since December 2017, we can see that the R8 LMS GT4 is proving to be a real success. This is also because its essence is the same as that of the version designed for road use, which is reflected in the fact that the manufacturing process is practically identical for both vehicles.

That is right: the new R8 LMS GT4 follows the same 15 manufacturing steps required to build a “standard” R8. This is why both versions share 60% of their components, which makes the German supercar practically a racing car licensed for public roads. Furthermore, both the mechanics and the gearbox are identical in both models, since the powerful naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10, coupled to the S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox, brings both variants of the Audi R8 to life.

In terms of chassis, the competition variant offers a considerably lighter assembly. For example, 79% of the Audi Space Frame (ASF) bodyshell is made of aluminium, while 13% is carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP). We can also see that the R8 LMS includes some safety elements that the road version does not have, such as the roll cage and the jack.

“We are proud of the achievement of building the racing car and the production car in such close proximity, which represents maximum synergy for the Audi Sport brand,” says Wolfgang Schanz, Production Director of Audi Sport GmbH.

Sales success is not the only thing concerning Audi, since the German firm also wants to see its most radical creation win on countless occasions. It will be in various series in America, Asia, Australia and Europe where this R8 LMS GT4 can show what it is made of. At the same time, teams wishing to acquire this vehicle will be able to do so for less than 200,000 euros.