Buyers should expect plenty of competition from TCR race categories around the globe.
Audi delivered two of the LMS customer-race cars to Cadspeed-Racing, Speed Factory Racing Team and Cadspeed-Racing. The sedan will be on the track in mid January in the TCR category at the 24 Hours of Dubai.
Chris Reinke, Audi Sport customer racing’s head, stated that the RS 3 LMS was produced after successful testing and development.
The turbocharged 2.0-liter four cylinder produces 326 horsepower (243 kilowatts) in RS3 LMS. It propels the sedan to speeds of 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds. This is four tenths faster than the new 394-hp (294 kW) RS3 Sedan which has a 2.5-liter turbocharged five cylinder. Audi Sport can also fit them with a track-scraping front splittingter, large wings, and a body kit that uses all of the TCR category’s 76.8 inches (195 centimeters) maximum width.
Audi’s entry into the TCR touring vehicle category is the RS3 LMS. Each model races in its own series, for Europe, Asia and other regions. There are also classes available for them in endurance events like the 24 Hours of the Nurburgring. The rules require that competitors use production-derived four or five-door vehicles. The engine must be equipped with a single turbocharger, and it must displace between 1.75 and 2.0-liters.
Audi offers the RS3 LMS with three options. A version with a six-speed sequential racing transmission is available for 129,000 euros ($134360). S tronic direct shift transmission buyers pay 109,000 euros ($113530). The company also offers a club-sport variant at 99,000 euros ($103,000). Although it is not eligible for TCR competition, it should still be a great track car.
Volkswagen Group sees a market opportunity in the TCR category. Its brands also offer the VW Golf GTI TCR, and the SEAT Leon Cup Racer TCR. Opel Astra and Alfa Romeo Giulietta are other models that are available to racers.