Audi R8 LMS GT4 and GT4 Evo (2018–2024)
The Audi R8 LMS GT4 is a GT4-class race car built alongside the R8 V10 road car. It uses the 5.2-litre V10 and a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Aimed at amateur and gentleman drivers, it won titles in its first season. A 2020 update, often listed as the GT4 Evo, added adjustable ABS and traction control.
History
Audi Sport customer racing showed the R8 LMS GT4 at the New York motor show in April 2017 5. More than 60 percent of its parts come from the R8 V10 Coupé road car 5. Both cars are built at the Böllinger Höfe plant near Heilbronn 5. Two prototypes raced the Nürburgring 24 Hours in May 2017, where the best finished third in class SP-X and 31st overall 4.
Audi set the price at €198,000 plus VAT in October 2017 and planned first deliveries for December 4. Around 50 cars had been sold by March 2018 6. Customer cars began racing at the start of 2018 7. Audi counted ten titles in America and Europe in that first season 9. In North America, James Sofronas and GMG Racing won the Pirelli World Challenge GTS title 8.
In November 2019 Audi revealed an updated car for 2020, styled after the new rear-wheel-drive R8 V10 road model 3. It brought new bumpers, a revised splitter and side skirts, and eight-stage ABS and traction control 2. The settings are changed with two rotary switches on a steering wheel taken from the R8 LMS GT2 3. The price stayed at €198,000, and owners of older cars could buy a conversion kit for €17,975 3. Entry lists from 2020 onwards often name this spec the R8 LMS GT4 Evo 18.
In July 2023 Audi said it would stop building and selling race cars after the first quarter of 2024 10. It promised basic parts supply for its GT3, GT4 and TCR cars until 2032 10. Factory money for teams and works drivers ended, while technical support and parts sales continued 11. The car still appears in GT4 grids in 2026 1819.
Palmarès
The car won titles in its debut customer season. In 2018 James Sofronas and Alex Welch won the Pirelli World Challenge GTS SprintX classification with GMG Racing. Sofronas then took the GTS title 8. Audi counted ten titles for the model in America and Europe in 2018 9. In 2019 Parker Thompson won the GT Sport class of the Canadian Touring Car Championship 9. Audi gave a total of 18 title wins worldwide across 2018 and 2019, plus class wins in 8, 12, 24 and 25-hour races 2.
What to check before you buy
Confirm whether the car is a 2020 car, an upgraded earlier car, or an original 2018–2019 car: The 2020 spec adds eight-stage ABS and traction control and new bodywork. The kit was sold separately for older cars. Ask for engine and gearbox distance since the last Audi Sport service, with invoices: Audi sets a 10,000 km engine service interval. One seller listed an engine rebuilt by Audi Sport with 387 km since, which is the kind of record to expect. Read the date label on the fuel cell bladder: The car carries a 113 l FT3 cell. FT3 bladders expire 5 years after manufacture, 7 at most with recertification. Get the GT4 homologation file, SRO GT4 certificate, ECU BoP map and all restrictors: SRO requires the file and certificate, and BoP maps are checked in the datalogger. One US car came with 44 mm and 46 mm restrictors. List every spare included and price them against new parts: Spares packages vary a lot. A 2024 US listing included a spare engine, a spare gearbox, wheel sets, bodywork and suspension corners. Ask for accident history and chassis repair records: The chassis is an aluminium and CFRP Audi Space Frame with a steel cage, so structural repairs need the right expertise. Check the dual-clutch gearbox and its service record: The GT4 uses a 7-speed S tronic with two electrohydraulic wet clutches. One race shop tracked component life with timing software and replaced parts when they timed out. Contact an Audi Sport service partner about parts lead times before you buy: Audi stopped selling race cars after Q1 2024 and only promises basic parts supply until 2032.
Versions and evolutions
| Version | Years | What changed | How to identify |
|---|---|---|---|
| R8 LMS GT4 (original) | 2017–2019 (deliveries from December 2017) | First customer version. 5.2-litre V10, seven-speed S tronic, rear-wheel drive, shared parts with the R8 V10 Coupé. 3 | Earlier R8 bumper and splitter design. No pair of eight-stage ABS and traction-control rotary switches on the steering wheel unless the kit is fitted. |
| R8 LMS GT4 (2020), often listed as GT4 Evo | 2020–2024 | New front and rear bumpers, modified splitter, revised side skirts, eight-stage ABS and traction control. Engine and gearbox unchanged. 2 | Bumpers in the later R8 road-car style. Two rotary switches for ABS and traction control on a GT2-type steering wheel. Datasheet lists the PS03 seat. |
| Original car with 2020 upgrade kit | Converted from late 2019 | Older chassis brought to 2020 specification with the factory kit, which cost €17,975 at launch. 3 | Ask for the Audi Sport invoice for the kit. The chassis year stays 2017–2019 while the bodywork and wheel match the 2020 car. |
Known issues
- Pre-2020 car without the factory update kit — No driver-adjustable eight-stage ABS and traction control, older bumpers and splitter. The car is not to the latest specification. €17,975 for the kit at launch, plus fitting 3
- Engine distance limits set by Audi — Audi gives a 10,000 km service interval and 20,000 km before the first inspection. A car near those figures needs engine work soon after purchase. 7
- No new cars since 2024 and only basic parts promised — Production stopped after Q1 2024. Audi committed to basic parts supply until 2032, so rare or bespoke items may take longer to source. 10
- Fuel cell age — The car uses an FT3 safety cell. FT3 certification runs 5 years from manufacture, with a maximum of 7 after recertification. An original 2018 cell is past that limit. 17
- Missing BoP hardware or ECU maps — Power depends on the restrictor and ECU BoP map. Without the right restrictors and map files the car cannot be set to series BoP. 16
- Missing homologation paperwork — SRO accepts GT4 cars only with the GT4 homologation file and SRO GT4 certificate. A car without them cannot be scrutineered in SRO GT4 series. 16
Checklist before you buy
- Confirm whether the car is a 2020 car, an upgraded earlier car, or an original 2018–2019 car. — The 2020 spec adds eight-stage ABS and traction control and new bodywork. The kit was sold separately for older cars. 3
- Ask for engine and gearbox distance since the last Audi Sport service, with invoices. — Audi sets a 10,000 km engine service interval. One seller listed an engine rebuilt by Audi Sport with 387 km since, which is the kind of record to expect. 7
- Read the date label on the fuel cell bladder. — The car carries a 113 l FT3 cell. FT3 bladders expire 5 years after manufacture, 7 at most with recertification. 17
- Get the GT4 homologation file, SRO GT4 certificate, ECU BoP map and all restrictors. — SRO requires the file and certificate, and BoP maps are checked in the datalogger. One US car came with 44 mm and 46 mm restrictors. 16
- List every spare included and price them against new parts. — Spares packages vary a lot. A 2024 US listing included a spare engine, a spare gearbox, wheel sets, bodywork and suspension corners. 15
- Ask for accident history and chassis repair records. — The chassis is an aluminium and CFRP Audi Space Frame with a steel cage, so structural repairs need the right expertise. 1
- Check the dual-clutch gearbox and its service record. — The GT4 uses a 7-speed S tronic with two electrohydraulic wet clutches. One race shop tracked component life with timing software and replaced parts when they timed out. 15
- Contact an Audi Sport service partner about parts lead times before you buy. — Audi stopped selling race cars after Q1 2024 and only promises basic parts supply until 2032. 10
Running costs 7
| Rebuild interval | Engine service every 10,000 km, with 20,000 km before the first inspection, according to Audi 7. No public gearbox interval found. |
|---|---|
| Typical rebuild cost | Not published. Ask an Audi Sport service partner for a quote. |
| Consumables | GT3-size steel brake discs (380 x 34 mm front, 355 x 32 mm rear) with GT3 calipers. Tyres 305/645 R18 front and 315/680 R18 rear 1. |
| Spares availability | Basic parts supply promised until 2032 for GT3, GT4 and TCR cars 10. Technical support and parts sales continue after the end of factory team support 11. |
Where it races today
- SRO GT4 (GT4 European Series, GT4 America, national GT4 championships) · GT4 — Needs the GT4 homologation file and SRO GT4 certificate. Runs to SRO Balance of Performance with ECU BoP maps. Audi said the car was eligible worldwide from 2020. 16
- IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge · GS (GT4) — Raced by Team Carbahn with Peregrine Racing in 2019. Another car ran the series at Petit Le Mans in 2021. 9
- Creventic 24H Series · GT4 — A 2018 car won the GT4 class at the Portimão 24H and Spa 12H. 13
- World Racing League (USA) · GTO — One US car was prepared to WRL GTO rules and could be returned to standard GT4 trim. 15
- Trans Am West and SRO America events · GT4 or open GT classes — One 2018 car ran in Trans Am West and SRO events in 2019 and 2020. 14
Market prices
- New car, launch price: 198,000 plus VAT EUR (2017-10) 4
- New car, 2020 specification: 198,000 plus VAT EUR (2020-03) 1
- 2020 upgrade kit for older cars: 17,975 EUR (2019-11) 3
- 2018 car with spare engine, gearbox and spares, asking price (race-cars.com): 160,000 USD (2024-05) 15
- 2018 car, 5,324 km total, three wheel sets, asking price (Go To The Grid): 172,000 USD (2025-09) 14
In 2024 and 2025, US asking prices for 2018 cars sat around $160,000–172,000, below the €198,000 new price. On 2026-11-06 a search on racingcarnetwork.com returned no R8 GT4 listings 20.
Reference prices are dated and sourced; live asking prices are in the listings above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the R8 LMS GT4 and the GT4 Evo?
The 2020 car, often called the GT4 Evo, has new bumpers, a modified splitter and revised side skirts. It adds eight-stage ABS and traction control set from two switches on the steering wheel. Engine and gearbox are unchanged. Older cars could be brought to this spec with a factory kit.
How often does the V10 engine need attention?
Audi quotes a service interval of 10,000 km for the racing 5.2 V10, with 20,000 km before the first inspection. Ask the seller for the distance since the last Audi Sport service and the invoices. A public rebuild price was not found, so get a quote from an Audi Sport service partner.
Can I still get parts now that Audi has stopped building race cars?
Audi stopped selling race cars after the first quarter of 2024. It promised basic parts supply for its GT3, GT4 and TCR models until 2032, plus continued technical support. Check lead times for specific items with a service partner before buying, and value a good spares package.
What gearbox does the R8 LMS GT4 use?
It uses a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch gearbox with paddle shifters and two electrohydraulic wet multi-plate clutches. Drive goes to the rear wheels through a mechanical limited-slip differential. No public service interval was found, so ask for the gearbox history and distance.
Where can I race it?
It is an SRO GT4 car, so it fits GT4 European Series, GT4 America and national GT4 grids under Balance of Performance. Cars have also raced in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Creventic 24H Series and US club endurance series. You need the homologation file and SRO GT4 certificate.
What does a used one cost?
New cars cost €198,000 plus VAT. In 2024 and 2025, 2018 cars were advertised in the US at about $160,000 to $172,000, depending on distance and spares. Compare specification, engine distance and the spares package when judging an asking price.
Sources
- Technical data Audi R8 LMS GT4 (2020), Audi AG (2020-03) — All specs, 2020 price
- Audi Sport in GT4 racing: Audi R8 LMS GT4 sporting a new look, Audi AG (2020-04) — 2020 changes, 18 titles, class wins, upgrade kit
- Updated Audi R8 LMS GT4 Revealed, Sportscar365 (2019-11) — 2020 update details, kit price, GT2 steering wheel, eligibility from 2020
- Les tarifs de l'Audi R8 LMS GT4 ont été dévoilés, Motor1 France (2017-10) — Launch price, first deliveries, Nürburgring 24h debut result
- Production-derived Audi R8 LMS GT4 joins customer racing line-up, Carscoops (2017-04) — New York debut, shared parts, Böllinger Höfe production
- The Audi R8 LMS GT4 is a real success, with 50 units produced so far, Highmotor (2018-03) — About 50 cars sold by March 2018
- The engine: legendary ten-cylinder on the road and the racetrack, Audi AG (2021-12) — Engine service interval, GT4 racing since early 2018
- Second title for Audi R8 LMS GT4, Automotive World (2018-09) — 2018 Pirelli World Challenge GTS and SprintX titles
- Audi R8 LMS GT4 wins first title in 2019 in Canada, Motorsactu (2019-08) — 2019 Canadian title, ten titles in 2018, IMSA GS entry
- Audi to end GT3 factory involvement and race car production, Auto Action (2023-07) — End of production after Q1 2024, parts until 2032
- Audi Sport customer racing over in its current form, Endurance-Info (2023) — End of factory backing, continued technical support and parts sales
- Audi Sport Delivers Final R8 LMS GT3 Car, Sportscar365 (2024-11) — Context on end of R8 LMS production and ongoing support
- Audi R8 GT4 LMS (sale listing), The Speed Journal (2019) — Creventic 24H results, Audi Sport engine rebuild record, homologation paperwork in sale
- 2018 Audi R8 GT4 For Sale, Go To The Grid (2025-09) — Asking price, restrictors, race history
- 2018 Audi R8 GT4 w/Spares Package, race-cars.com (2024) — Asking price, spares package, WRL GTO preparation
- SRO GT4 Balance of Performance, FFSA GT, 14/06/2024, SRO Motorsports Group (2024-06) — GT4 homologation file and SRO certificate requirement, ECU BoP maps
- An introduction to fuel cells, Radium Engineering (n.d.) — FT3 fuel cell certification life
- Audi R8 LMS GT4 Evo entries, Racing Sports Cars (2026) — Use of the GT4 Evo name in entry lists from 2020 to 2026
- File:Roee Meyuhas Audi R8 LMS GT4 GT4 European Series Hockenheim 2022.jpg, Wikimedia Commons (2022-09) — Image, recent GT4 use
- RCN listings search: audi r8 gt4, Racing Car Network (2026-11) — Market check, no current listings
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