A Special Audi R8 Featuring Laser Lights | Audi
Audi R8 LMX | Audi R8 LMX
The Special Audi R8 Equipped with Laser Lights
Audi will release a limited-edition R8 LMX, a special version of its sports model, the R8, equipped with laser lights, one of the latest technologies that contributed to its victory in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans race.
Text by HORIGUCHI Yoshihiro (OPENERS)
Its Light Technology Proven in Le Mans Victory
Audi clinched the 24 Hours of Le Mans race this year with a 1-2 finish. A special edition of Audi's proud sports model, theR18 e-tron quattro, equipped with the latest lighting technology first introduced in the racing machine "R18 e-tron quattro," will be released in Germany. This special edition is for theR8.
The newly announced limited edition Audi R8 LMX is powered by a 5.2-liter V10 engine, delivering a maximum output of 419 kW (570 hp) and peak torque of 540 Nm. Paired with a 7-speed S tronic transmission, it boasts a 0-100 km/h acceleration of 3.4 seconds, 0.2 seconds faster than the current R8 5.2 FSI quattro. Its top speed is 320 km/h.
The exterior features a dedicated color, Ara Blue Crystal Effect. Matte-finished CFRP is applied to the front lip spoiler, front bumper flicks (canards), engine cover, side blades (C-pillar panels), rear wing, and diffuser. A fixed rear wing has also been adopted to ensure effective downforce on the rear wheels.
The tires designed to handle the immense power are sized 235/35R19 at the front and 305/30R19 at the rear. Peeking from behind the specially designed 19-inch wheels are carbon-ceramic brake discs and red brake calipers.
The interior also features black as its base color, accented with blue details matching the body color, seen in the Nappa leather seat stitching and the bucket seat shells.
While the powertrain and the sporty interior/exterior design are special, the biggest highlight of the R8 LMX is the "laser light technology" first introduced in the R18 e-tron and which contributed to its victory.
The high beam of these lights uses four high-power laser diodes, each only 300 micrometers (0.3 mm) in diameter, as its light source. This allows it to illuminate an area approximately twice as large as LED lights. The bluish-white light with a wavelength of 450 nm emitted from the diodes is converted by a converter to a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, considered to have the highest visibility, illuminating the surroundings and enhancing safety by improving nighttime visibility.
The laser spot, which activates at speeds above 60 km/h, expands the field of vision during high-speed driving and also features an automatic adjustment function that avoids oncoming or preceding vehicles by using sensors, such as cameras mounted on the front.
Only 99 units of the R8 LMX will be produced, with deliveries starting in Germany this summer. The price is 2.1 million Euros (approximately 29 million yen).