The new Audi RS3 LMS is undergoing intensive development

Following the world premiere of the Audi RS3 LMS on 5 February 2021, Audi Sport's new TCR model is undergoing an intensive testing program. A wind tunnel test at Ingolstadt was followed by the first runs on race tracks at Castelloli in Catalonia, Vallelunga near Rome and Aragon in northern Spain. The other stages have also already been scheduled until the car's racing debut in the World Touring Car Cup in the summer.

Around its premiere, the compact sedan was in the wind tunnel at Ingolstadt for the first time. The entire aerodynamic concept had previously been created purely numerically in the computer. "Our calculations using Computational Fluid Dynamics were fully confirmed in the wind tunnel," says Detlef Schmidt, Technical Project Manager Audi RS3 LMS. "The predicted values for downforce and drag match up well."

At Castelloli, the second generation of the RS3 LMS completed its first laps on a race track on 23 and 24 February 2021. Frederic Vervisch reeled off around 500km on the circuit. The developers focused on general component testing, initial set-up work on the powertrain and chassis, and the aerodynamic balance.

The engineers also checked the functionality of the mandatory standardised TCR engine control unit, which was preceded by intensive software development. Audi Sport continued its work at Vallelunga from 8 to 10 March 2021, then at Aragon on 17 and 18 March 2021.

The initial rain in Italy gave the engineers the chance to work through air pressures and suspension set-ups for wet track conditions before trying out further options on a dry track. The changeable weather otherwise feared in racing proved to be an advantage during the tests to cover a wide range of conditions for future racing activities.

In addition to Audi Sport driver Frederic Vervisch, new signing Nathanael Berthon had the opportunity to contribute his feedback for the first time. In Spain, set-up work on the differential, dampers and the aerodynamic balance were on the agenda. The development team also focused on the optimum configuration for qualifying, but also examined the behaviour of the new car over complete race distances.

The next stages leading up to the race debut have already been determined as well. In the course of the balance of performance test by promoter WSC, the aim is to determine values for the aerodynamics and center of gravity of the RS3 LMS. Audi Sport is aiming for homologation on 1 May 2021. Further tests and production preparations for the customer race cars will determine the schedule in early summer.

The Audi RS3 LMS will make its race debut at the season opener of the WTCR - FIA World Touring Car Cup from 3 to 5 June 2021 on the Nurburgring Nordschleife. Deliveries of the second generation of the TCR race car to customers will begin in the second half of the year. Since the end of 2016, Audi has built 180 examples of the predecessor model, marketed them worldwide and won 54 racing titles around the globe with them.