Audi Sport has unveiled the second generation of its Audi RS3 LMS customer racing TCR car, bringing an update to the model which first appeared for the 2017 touring car season.
Audi had been rumoured to be working on an all-new RS3 for over a year, with the car finally breaking cover in Neuburg an der Donau in Germany on Friday (5 February).
The car continues the line of the previous RS3, which was produced in 180 units since 2017 – more than any other Audi customer racing car.
The first-generation model has already picked up 764 podium places in 1,051 races worldwide, including 279 victories, 16 drivers’ titles and 38 championship successes.
“We are underlining the importance of motorsport for our road-going products and presenting a race car still in disguise before the spearhead of the corresponding production model is on the market,” explained Julius Seebach, Managing Director Audi Sport GmbH, who is responsible for Audi Motorsport.
“The Audi RS 3 LMS is a clear commitment to customer racing and stands for records in our program. We want to continue the remarkable series of successes of the first generation with the new model.”
Chris Reinke, Head of Audi Sport customer racing, emphasised the focus on customers as part of the reveal of the new model.
“The development goals for our latest model focused on the customers,” said Reinke. “Whether it’s about running times or setup options, safety or ergonomics: we want to offer the teams a car that is even more of a race car than before.”
Reinke also reiterated Audi’s commitment to touring car racing, as its rival German brands are looking elsewhere away from the sport they have historically supported.
“This is a clear commitment by our brand to cost-efficient touring car racing in customer hands. From the first generation, 180 race cars have been built for teams around the world.
“They have racked up a wealth of successes and many hundreds of trophies. We believe in the global future of the TCR class and expect to continue to occupy a leading market position with our new model.
“Audi is committed to the TCR class of promoter WSC and to the fact that this sport is aimed at privateers.
“At the same time, we expect the promoters to stay true to the spirit of TCR. Technical excesses take this class to its limits just as quickly as the associated financial escalation. We are doing everything we can to prevent this.”
The new RS3 LMS offers up to 250 kW (340 hp) of power and a higher-level of safety than the previous generation of car.
A focus on aerodynamics means that the car’s flared wheel arches, to accommodate the 1.95 metre maximum width, are integrated into the body contours in an improved way, whilst the RS3 features a rear wing suspended from the rear for the first time.
The engine is the new fourth generation two-litre four-cylinder engine named the EA888. The engine block, cylinder head, crank drive, valve train, intake manifold, fuel injection and turbocharger are all standard in the race car.
