Audi Confirms Next-Gen R8 GT in Development

Photo: Matteo Milani

While GT convergence talks continue, Audi has already begun development of a new-generation car that’s aimed at the proposed common GT regulations.

Speaking to Sportscar365, Head of Audi Motorsport, Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich confirmed the GT car spotted testing at Monza last week has been built to what they believe to be the new GT+/GT rules, which could begin as early as 2016.

“The car that we’ve developed is on the base of the regulations that we know from the FIA that should be the base for the future,” Ullrich told Sportscar365. “It’s one of the pre-development cars for the next GT3 car.”

Audi’s R8 LMS has been the most successful FIA GT3-spec car to date, having achieved more than 150 victories and 20 championships worldwide since its launch in 2009. The R8 LMS ultra debuted in 2012, featuring notable upgrades.

The introduction of Audi’s new GT car coincides with its next-generation R8 road car, which is believed to launch in 2015. Ullrich said he wouldn’t rule out seeing the race car debut sometime next year, although no firm decision has been made.

“There may be one or two races where we move the new car into the market,” he said. “But we have to have done the proper development before we go into that. That was the very first time the car was on its wheels.”

Ullrich would not give any definite timeline for the new car but said there are no current plans for a factory GT program.

“At the end, it has to fit in both of them,” Ullrich said of the current GT3 platform and the proposed new GT+/GT regs. “It’s not a car that’s made for next year, it’s a car that’s made for later.”

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John