Audi RS 3 LMS

Audi RS 3 LMS
CategoryTCR Touring Car
ConstructorAudi
Technical specifications
ChassisAudi RS 3
Length4,599 mm (181.1 in)
Width1,950 mm (76.8 in)
Height1,340 mm (52.8 in)
Wheelbase2,665 mm (104.9 in)
Engine1,998 cc (121.9 cu in) 330 hp (246 kW; 335 PS) I4 turbocharged front-mounted, FWD
TransmissionXtrac 6-speed Sequential
Weight1,160–1,265 kg (2,557.4–2,788.8 lb)
Competition history
Debut2017 TCR Middle East Series Dubai round

The Audi RS 3 LMS is a racing car developed by Audi Sport GmbH according to TCR regulations. Unveiled in 2016, it is based on the Audi RS 3 sedan.[1] The RS 3 LMS won the TCR Model of the Year in 2018, 2021, 2022, and 2023, which is an annual award given for the most successful TCR touring car in the category across a year.[2]

History

Typ 8V (2017)

The first-generation RS 3 LMS.

To develop the LMS version, the RS 3 underwent significant widening, aero upgrades, and received safety upgrades. The engine is a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline-four engine.[3] Audi typically sells the RS 3 LMS with a sequential transmission, though a DSG transmission is provided as an option for endurance races. The original RS 3 LMS was built on the third-generation Audi RS 3 and debuted in the 2017 TCR Middle East Series at the Dubai Autodrome.[4] James Kaye won the 2017 Dubai 24 Hour that same weekend.[4]

Typ 8Y (2021)

The RS 3 LMS received a full refresh in 2021 following the release of 4th generation Audi A3 the year prior.[5] The new car's design served as a preview of the then-unreleased RS 3 sedan.[6] It also received updates to its ergonomics, performance, and safety features.[7] The refreshed RS 3 LMS made its debut in the 2021 World Touring Car Cup. Belgian racing team Comtoyou Racing managed Audi's factory efforts in the series.[8]

Championships

Year Title Driver
2017 Pirelli World Challenge - TC/TCA/TCB Class United States Paul Holton
TCR China Touring Car Championship China Andy Yan
TCR Russian Touring Car Championship Russia Dmitry Bragin
2018 Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge - TCR Class United States Britt Casey Jr.
United States Tom Long
TCR Russian Touring Car Championship Russia Dmitry Bragin
2019 Super Taikyu Series - ST-TCR Class Japan Takeshi Matsumoto
Japan Takuro Shinohara
TCR China Touring Car Championship China Huang Chu Han
TCR Eastern Europe Trophy Serbia Milovan Vesnić
2020 Canadian Touring Car Championship - TCR Class Canada Zachary Vanier[9]
TCR Europe Touring Car Series Morocco Mehdi Bennani
TCR Japan Saturday Series Japan Takuro Shinohara
TCR Japan Sunday Series Japan Takuro Shinohara
2021 Sports Car Championship Canada - TCR Class Canada Travis Hill
TCR Australia Touring Car Series Australia Chaz Mostert
TCR Japan Saturday Series Japan Keiichi Inoue
2022 Sports Car Championship Canada - TCR Class Canada Jerimy Daniel
TCR Eastern Europe Trophy Poland Bartosz Groszek
TCR Europe Touring Car Series Argentina Franco Girolami
2023 Supercar Challenge - Supersport 1 Class Netherlands Laurens de Wit
Sports Car Championship Canada - TCR Class Canada Dean Baker
TCR Europe Touring Car Series Netherlands Tom Coronel
TCR Italy Touring Car Championship Argentina Franco Girolami
2024 Michelin Pilot Challenge - TCR Class United States Chris Miller
South Africa Mikey Taylor
Sports Car Championship Canada - TCR Class Canada Richard Boake
TCR Italy Touring Car Championship Canada Nicolas Taylor

References

  1. ^ Kilbey, Stephen (29 September 2016). "Audi Launches RS 3 LMS TCR Challenger". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  2. ^ "Audi RS 3 LMS best TCR model for the third time". Audi MediaCenter. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  3. ^ "RS 3 LMS | audi.com". www.audi.com. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  4. ^ a b "Cadspeed's new Audi makes history in Dubai". Alton Herald. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. ^ Hsu, Ben (8 February 2021). "2021 Audi RS3 LMS race car revealed, hints at the road car to come". Autoblog. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  6. ^ "Audi RS 3 LMS racer hints at upcoming sport sedan". Motor Authority. 5 February 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  7. ^ Drăgan, Otilia (3 September 2021). "Audi Kicks Off Sales for the $163K Second-Generation Audi RS 3 LMS, a Racing Favorite". autoevolution. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  8. ^ TouringCarTimes (19 February 2021). "Comtoyou Racing confirms four new Audis for 2021 WTCR season". TouringCarTimes. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  9. ^ O’Connell, R. J. (29 December 2024). "Zachary Vanier, Canada's Next Sports Car Star?". www.dailysportscar.com. Retrieved 15 July 2025.