Most Sucessful Modern Era Sportscar > LMP900 R8
LMP900 Audi R8
The Audi R8 is the most successful sportscar of the present day. In the past three years, the Audi works team has achieved three victories at the Le Mans 24 Hour race plus three titles and 25 victories in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) with the R8. The Audi R8, developed by Audi Sport under the direction of Wolfgang Appel (vehicle) and Ulrich Baretzky (engine) has set a new benchmark in the area of sport prototypes.
The current R8 made its debut at the start of the 2000 season and has since been improved time and time again in detailed aspects. Most of the modifications have been carried out underneath the bodywork and are hardly visible, even for experts. Other changes, however, could be identified immediately, for instance the modified rear section that has resulted in a better airflow around the rear wing since the middle of last season.
As there will be new regulations for sports prototypes from 2004 onwards, that will be valid not only in Le Mans and the ALMS, but also for the sportscar races of motorsport’s worldwide governing body, the FIA, development of the R8 was discontinued after the third victory at Le Mans halfway through last year. Nevertheless, the sports car from Ingolstadt is still the best in its class and the car to beat.
The only change to the R8 for the 2003 season compared to last year came as a result of the regulations: in order to reduce the speeds at Le Mans and in the ALMS, smaller air restrictors are generally required for all cars and categories. For the V8 twin turbo engine in the Audi, the diameter of the air intake was reduced from 32.4 millimetres to 30.7 millimetres. “This made the engine lose some ten percent of its output, but the maximum torque hardly changed”, says Head of Audi Sport Dr Wolfgang Ullrich. Instead of previously 610 hp, the 3.6 litre V8-biturbo engine of the Audi R8 now has an output of approximately 550 hp.
[img]http://www.amazing43.com/A43_2002/images/GulfAudiR8_1-87/gulfaudi10.jpg[/im]
In Vintage Gulf Colors
General Information
Produced in - 2001 - 2003
Curb weight - 911 kg average for 2001 model / 908 kg average for 2002 model
Length - 4650 mm
Width - 2000 mm
Wheelbase - 2730 mm
Layout - Mid Engine / RWD
Drivetrain
Engine - 90º V8, turbo-charged, 2 Garrett turbo-chargers
Displacement - 3600 cc
Valvetrain - 4 valves/cylinder, DOHC
Fuel feed - Bosch Motronic MS 2.9 Fuel injection
Aspiration - Twin Turbo
Gearbox - Ricardo 6 speed Sequential
Performance
Horsepower - 659 HP 2001 & 2002 593 HP 2003
BHP/Liter - 169.4
Torque - 516 + lb/ft
Redline - 8050 rpm
Power to weight ratio - 0.68 BHP/kg
Top Speed - 205 mph
0-60 mph acceleration - 3.3 sec
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