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Audi unveiled at the Essen Motor Show its GT3 racing spec car known as the R8 LMS. The car should cost €262,000 - about $333,000 (base price for a regular R8 is about €107,000.) Any customer expecting extra comfort will be sadly disappointed. Instead paying almost two and a half times the normal rate for an R8 gets owners a completely track-ready car with an extra two cylinders (now ten in total) and 500+ horsepower.

Part of the requirements for the GT3 racing class means the R8 LMS ditches the all-wheel drive system for a rear-wheels only. A new six-speed sequential manual transmission was developed for the car as well as the wind-cheating body kit and huge rear spoiler.

The R8 LMS will be available to private race teams by fall of 2009. They will be seen throughout various European race series, including the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring. During the season these cars will still be a rare sight, as Audi only plans about eight cars for that year.