Audi’s recent unveiling at the New York Show is nearly over the top. This isn’t surprising. As automakers at the New York Show attempt to create the biggest splash for the benefit of the press—and the competition—the spectating at the exposition becomes more interesting. And, occasionally, cost-to-racing cred ratios are skewed in favor of the latter.

Audi’s track-evocative R8 LMS GT4 is intended to impress mechanically, cosmetically, and economically. The model very effectively merges the worlds of racing and bargain-hunting, offering speed and élan to racecar buyers for a price that won’t break the bank. Well, not irreparably.

Pricing will be on the low end of the mid six figures, but the consolations undoubtedly outweigh the financial consequences for track-car buyers poised on the brink of ownership. And, what better way for the automaker who has just revealed the U.S. availability of Sport division models to indicate to the production-car marketplace its relevance? Offering an attractively priced track car lets street-legal track-inspired car buyers know there’s a good chance they’re getting more for less if they choose one of the eight new Audi RS models due in showrooms by 2019. More speed, and more R&D, for less green.

Audi is keeping the LMS GT4’s price down by using many of the same parts on the track car as on the regular production street-version R8; the company states that 60% of the parts carry over from the R8 to the LMS GT4. The V10 R8 engine remains the same, but is tuned down a bit from the production R8—from 610 horsepower to 495—and may be adjusted according to competition regulations. It’s a rear-wheel drive car, too, losing the Quattro system.

The LMS GT4 will be competing in 2018, and will be available at a price currently undisclosed by the company. The LMS GT3 priced out at about $450K.