Audi R8 LMP

Lore & Background

The Audi R8 LMP was purpose-built for endurance racing, not derived from a road car. Its 3.6L V8 twin-turbo petrol engine delivered exceptional reliability and performance, enabling five Le Mans wins (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005). The R8 LMP's final race appearance was in 2006, after which it was succeeded by the diesel-powered R10 TDI.

In Their Own Story

The rain at Le Mans does not discriminate; it turns the tarmac into a mirror and the night into a blur. Inside cockpit number 9, Tom Kristensen grips the steering wheel, his eyes scanning the spray ahead. The R8 LMP's V6 TDI engine hums with a distinct, rhythmic thrum rather than the scream of its rivals. As they approach the Porsche Curves, the car feels planted, the torque delivery smooth and predictable even in the slick conditions. A rival prototype spins out on the exit of Indianapolis, but Audi holds the line. The strategy is simple: survive, conserve fuel, and let the reliability of the diesel do the work. When the checkered flag finally waves after twenty-four grueling hours, it is not the fastest car that wins, but the one that simply refused to break.

Reader's Guide

First generation (2006; Type 42): The Audi R8, based on the Audi Le Mans quattro concept car (designed by Frank Lamberty and Julian Hoenig) first appeared at the 2003 International Geneva Motor Show and the 2003 Frankfurt International Motor Show. The R8 road car was officially launched at the Paris Auto Show on 30 September 2006. There was some confusion with the name, which the car shares with the 24 Hours of Le Mans winning R8 Le Mans Prototype (LMP). Initial models included the R8 4.2 FSI coupé (with a V8 engine) and R8 5.2 FSI coupé (with a V10 engine). Convertible models, called the Spyder by the manufacturer, were introduced in 2008, followed by the high-performance GT model introduced in 2011. The Motorsport variants of the R8 were also subsequently introduced from 2008 onwards. An all-electric version called the e-Tron started development but would only reach production stage when the second generation model would be introduced. 6-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx described the R8 as 'the best handling road car today'. The car received a facelift in 2012 and a new model called the V10 Plus was now added to the range. Production of the Type 42 ended in August 2015. Second generation (2015; Type 4S): The second generation of the R8 (model code: Type 4S) was unveiled at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show and is based on the Modular Sports System platform shared with the Lamborghini Huracán. The development of the Type 4S commenced in late 2013 and was completed in late 2014 (2015 model year in Europe, 2017 model year in the US). Initial models included the all-electric e-Tron and the V10 5.2 FSI along with the V10 plus. Unlike its predecessor, there was no manual transmission available and the entry-level V8 trim was also dropped. In 2016, the convertible (Spyder) variant was added to the line up which was initially available in the base V10 trim. In mid-2017, the high performance V10 plus Spyder was added to the range. A rear-wheel-drive model called the R8 RWS was introduced. In 2017, Audi introduced the R8 V10 plus 'Exclusive Edition,' a limited production run of 25 units exclusively for the United States market. This model was the first Audi production vehicle in the United States to feature laser headlight technology. The laser high-beam module, which requires FDA approval for use in the U.S. due to its laser emission, supplements the standard fu

Did You Know?

• The Audi R8 LMP won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005), making it one of the most successful LMP cars in history.
• The R8 LMP used a 3.6L V8 twin-turbo petrol engine, not a diesel—Audi's diesel era began later with the R10 TDI in 2006.
• The R8 LMP's final race was in 2006, not 2011; it was retired after the 2006 season.
• The Audi R8 LMP is a race car only—the road-going Audi R8 (introduced 2006) shares its name but is a separate model.