First Drive Review
The race to get laser headlights to market was sprinkled with drama, and the question of whether Audi or BMW won is probably not entirely settled. We have written about it before—BMW has already staged a handover ceremony for the first eight vehicles, but the Audi R8 LMX is the first laser-light car we were actually allowed to drive. More powerful than the R8 Plus, this ultrapotent special edition is the ultimate Audi R8.
The naturally aspirated V-10 is a classic, high-revving performance engine, and if its soundtrack reminds you of a Lamborghini’s, that's no coincidence: It is essentially the same powerhouse that resides at the center of the Lamborghini Gallardo and Huracán. The LMX’s 5.2-liter V-10 gains 20 horsepower over the powerplant in the R8 Plus, raising the total to 570. Torque remains unchanged at 398 lb-ft. The beefy V-10 is paired with a DL800 seven-speed dual-clutch automatic—no manual transmission is offered. Thus equipped, it charges from zero to 60 mph in just over three seconds, and top speed is pegged at 199 mph.
The chassis of the R8 LMX operates with laser-sharp precision, enhanced by beautifully weighted steering, aggressive carbon-ceramic brakes, and 235/35 front and 305/30 rear tires on 19-inch aluminum wheels. Turn-in is vigorous, and it is simple to position the tail and induce easily controllable oversteer. As the R8 LMX approaches 200 mph, the aerodynamic enhancements—including canards, a front air splitter, and a fixed, lightweight rear wing—take effect. There are remnants of softness and flexibility in the suspension, and thus the R8 LMX’s ride is never jarring even on truly unsettling roads. It is tuned for the daily drive, not just for ultrasmooth racetracks.
Turning Night Into Day
The superpowerful laser high beams ensure that the R8's capabilities can be used around the clock. Compared with the already-impressive LED high beams of the regular R8, the range is more than doubled. We found that it reaches well beyond half a mile, truly and somewhat surreally turning night into day. The laser high beams function only at speeds higher than 37 mph, and they cannot be turned on manually. (The road ahead is scanned by sensors and the lasers come on only if no traffic is detected.) Other motorists needn’t fear a laser attack.
Especially not in the U.S.—the intensity of the laser high beams is almost triple of the 150,000 candelas that are legally permitted here in the States. We do wish the regulation would be relaxed: These light beams are a strong safety factor . . . more so, the faster one goes.
Priced in Germany at €210,000 (that's €35,600 more than the R8 Plus and the equivalent of about $281,500 at current exchange rates), the R8 LMX comes at a remarkable premium over any other R8. Beyond the lasers and 20 extra horsepower, this price includes carbon-fiber decor, manually adjustable suede sport seats, and a suede headliner, the last two executed with diamond stitching. Ara Blue metallic, one of the three available exterior paint colors, is exclusive to the LMX. The limited-edition supercar comes with a plaque that denotes its build number in the 99-unit run.
The current R8, which was preceded in 2003 by the Le Mans Quattro concept, will be history in less than a year, when a lighter and even more competitive successor to the iconic mid-engined exotic is unveiled. The LMX will go down as the ultimate expression of the current car: What a pity we won't get it in the U.S.
