Competitors' benchmark The Audi R8

It will, quite literally, be tough going for the R8, at least in the Le Mans Endurance Series (LMES) and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans: The R8 must start with 50 kilograms more ballast than before (950 instead of 900 kilograms). Furthermore, the European regulations stipulate an even smaller engine air intake restrictor than in the previous year. The power of the turbo FSI engine dropped to approximately 520 horsepower. To compare: In March 2000 the Audi R8 made its debut in Sebring with well in excess of 600 hp.

The V8 power plant's engine electronics were adapted to suit the smaller restrictors by Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. No additional modifications are planned for the R8 prototype's final race season. “The aerodynamic configuration, as it was driven in Le Mans last year, has proven to be the optimum for the current regulations,” explains Wolfgang Appel, Head of Vehicle Technology at Audi Sport.

In the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) the R8 can compete with the same weight and engine power as last year.