Dear Ultimatecarpage.com visitor,

Yesterday at the annual Essen Motorshow, Audi took the wraps off the all new R8 LMS, destined for GT3 racing in 2009. The launch itself was no surprise and Audi had already posted some images quite some time ago but there nevertheless was some big news revealed. Firstly the name 'LMS' moniker and more importantly the fact that the car will be powered by Audi's V10 engine. This also means that the debut of the long speculated V10 engined R8 road car is imminent. Our best guess for the type name for that machine is the R8 LM. The R8 LMS represents Audi's return to customer motorsport or as Audi Motorsport Director quaintly described 'kundenmotorsport.' For a hefty 262,000 ex taxes, anybody can order the 500 bhp racing car from the newly established customer sport center in Ingolstadt. Takers will have to be quick as Audi plans to build just eight cars for 2009. The V10 machine can be campaigned in any of a growing number of championships run under the GT3 banner. There it will face a massive field of F430s, 997 GT3s, Gallardos, Ford GTs, Corvettes and Vipers.
Dr Ulrich also confirmed a big rumor; Audi is well under way with a replacement for the R10 TDI Le Mans racer. Although little other than the R15 TDI type name was revealed, we have strong reasons to believe that the open racer will be powered by an all new V10 diesel engine. The R15 will make its competition debut at the Sebring 12 Hours next March.
Keep an eye on the news section as a full report of the Essen Motorshow will follow on Monday.

2009 Audi R8 LMS - Images, Specifications and Information

Regards,
Wouter Melissen