Audi of America takes the R8 for final laps at Laguna Seca

Audi of America has taken the R8 for its final laps at Laguna Seca in celebration of its 15-year presence in the U.S.A.

The car was launched in the U.S.A in 2008 and saw success both on and off the circuit. Audi states that it homologated track-only GT2, GT3, and GT4 versions of the R8 over these 15 years, offering drivers various levels of access to a formula powered by a durable and potent V10 engine.

Just over 50% of the parts used in the production-series car are said to have made their way into the R8 GT3 LMS racecar, while both the production car and the racecar also share the same 5.2-litre V10 engine, with the engine in the R8 GT3 LMS only getting specific regulation adjustments.

Audi plans to launch more than 20 models globally by 2026, approximately half of which will be fully electric. The firm will additionally only launch fully electric models starting from 2026, and plans to have a fully electric portfolio by 2033. The firm will additionally continue its strategy of proving race technology on the track and bringing them onto the road as it shifts towards electrified performance with its entry to Formula One in 2026.