Audi R18 – Automobiles Review

Audi R18 for 2016 Motorsport Season Debuts in Germany

Audi R18 Front View Premiere Meet the new Audi R18 which is absolutely ready for the new motorsport season of 2016. The car has just celebrated its world premiere in Munich, Germany, showing that it is the most ever produced. The world premiere happened on the occasion of the Audi Sport Finale at the Audi Training Center Munich on Saturday.

And here is the big news: for the 2016 season Audi Sport has substantially re-designed the Audi R18. The LMP1 race car will compete in the in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). It is absolutely ready for a win, because it now includes innovative aerodynamics that are representation of the newest lightweight design philosophy, modified hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries for energy storage, plus an efficiency-optimized TDI engine.

Audi R18 Side View

All of this speaks of impending win and I am definitely looking forward to see what happens. As a matter of fact, Audi Sport says that with this car it is setting a clear signal, highlighting the aim of putting “the pedal to the metal in motorsport, deliberately relying on TDI”. And by the way, this engine is regarded on of world’s most successful automotive efficiency technology competing at Le Mans.

2016 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) is beginning in April and its start will be at the Silverstone, UK. There Audi Sport Team Joest will be fielding two new Audi R18 cars. Porsche, which is a “sister brand” of Audi, has also agreed to compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the WEC season with only two instead of the most recent three cars. And this is in the interest of maximum cost efficiency.

It is indisputable that the Audi R18 marks a major step in company’s motorsport development. But let’s see what happens when the season starts. Stay with us!

Source: Audi

November 30, 2015

Audi Brings Together All Le Mans Winner Models

With the 29 days until the Le Mans 24 Hours event, Audi is preparing for battle for its 14th victory in world’s hardest race. As you might know, Audi has won the race 13 times since 2000. And now the team is preparing for one more try. Another interesting fact is that Audi assembled all of the Le Mans winning modes for a big group photo.

The victorious start was set with Audi R8 in 2000. The winning model featured simple design to ensure quick repairs. A year later, in 2001, FSI technology made it through the development of engines. The gasoline direct injection and the optimized consumption played its role: between 2000 and 2005 Audi has won Le Mans race five times.

In 2006 Audi came with another innovative system. The R10 TDI was the first Le Mans winner with diesel power. Something more. Ever since then, Audi relies only on diesel engines for the race.

In fact, the R15 TDI is known and for one more event. It broke the 39-years record at La Sarthe in 2010. And as you know, a year later in 2011 the Audi R18 TDI debuted. The latest car become an instant winner, because of the aerodynamics and the incredible fuel efficiency.

And since then, Audi LMP1 cars have been designated as R18. The 2012 R18 e-Tron Quattro is the first Audi hybrid sports car, that marked the next big step. The brand set the milestone at Le Mans in 2013, when won one more time with upgraded version of the model. With a V6 TDI engine in the rear and with the hybrid system at the front, this car dominated the race. Since then Audi continues to work hard and improve the hybrid technology. In 2014 it won one more time with even faster laps, but with lesser fuel consumption: it used 22% lesser fuel energy, compared to the last race.

We wish Audi team good luck and to be even more successful not only at Le Mans race, but also in the field of producing technology.

Source: Audi

May 18, 2015

Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Demonstrates Refreshed Design and Features

Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro debuts with refreshed styling and bodywork features. In fact, the whole concept is different, compared to the Audi model, that won the FIA World Endurance Championship WEC season at Silverstone. As you know, it is kind of a tradition for Audi team to create different bodywork concepts for each individual race. Just to be prepared for everything. And this proofed to be a successful strategy.

As you might remember, the visual changes in previous models was not that interesting or recognizable, but now, the skilled engineer team created a body, that is especially designed and tweaked, just to be in great condition to the Le Mans race. The specific tweaks and configurations are especially done to achieve better downforce, higher speed and even better aerodynamics.

In fact, the result is more than satisfying. the greater downforce levels, along with the different fairing, sidespots, openings and the overall bodywork and styling are essential for the latest Audi vehicle and promise to achieve the best results available on the sports track.

With all the innovations and tweaks, Audi team is ready to show great results not only in the training place, but also on the Le Mans track itself.

We wish Audi team luck and numerous occasions for celebrations!

Source: Audi

April 30, 2015

Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro

Audi Sport has developed a fundamentally new Le Mans prototype that corresponds to the Technical Regulations for 2014 and is designed for maximum efficiency. The new Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro is being tested on the race track where all new Le Mans prototypes of the manufacturer have had to prove their worth – at Sebring racetrack.

“We’ve reached a crucial stage in this project,” commented Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

“After building the first prototype, testing on various race tracks is now taking center-stage. The tests are mainly focused on achieving high mileage, coordinating the highly complex hybrid drive systems and working out an efficiencyoptimized total package that has never before been as complex as this one.”, he added.

Audi has won the manufacturers’ and drivers’ classifications in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) for the second time in succession and the Le Mans 24 Hours for the twelfth time this year. Until the end of this year, the manufacturer will introduce the next generation of its hybrid sports car.

Stay tuned!

Source: Audi

December 9, 2013

Audi R18 e-tron quattro Focuses On Safety At Le Mans

This year Le Mans 24 Hours celebrates its 90th anniversary. In it will see many exclusive models competing and among them is the 2013 Audi R18 e-tron quattro. The main focus in this racing car is the active safety systems which defuse dangerous situations in the preliminary stages.

Some of the already available assistance systems in standard Audi models are for instance the ‘Audi side assist’ which facilitates lane changes; the ‘Audi pre sense’ that helps avoid accidents; the night vision assistant which helps the driver in seeing pedestrians.

However, not all of the technologies that are being offered are suitable for racing. Race drivers are expected to demonstrate their skills on the wheel instead of having their most challenging tasks performed by electronic assistants. However, Audi still managed to equip the new 2013 Audi R18 e-tron Quattro with assistance systems which are going to help in the competition.

The first example is that the lighting technology has been improved by extending the headlight sight distance by 85 percent. The drivers will benefit from a light beam that is more than 800 meters long.

In addition, the every headlight comprises of eight LED units and even more, the engineers have used matrix-beam principle which now can divide the light into individual segments. Next, Audi also utilized the technology known as cornering light. The LEDs on the outside of the corner are dimmed and the ones on the inside of the corner emit a brighter light.

Another interesting technology featured here is the digital rear-view mirror, which is mounted on the roof above the driver. On it the driver can see the traffic behind the car with a field angle of 60 degrees. The electric signal is transmitted to a display in the cockpit, featuring innovative AMOLED technology.

This acronym stands for Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Diode or to say it even simpler – an organic light emitting diode with active matrix technology. The screen has a diagonal of 6.8 inches and the display has a resolution of 600,000 pixels.

This new system has several advantages over the standard mirrors. First of all it remains free from vibrations. Secondly, the blind spot behind the car has been eliminated. Next, when lapping other cars, it is easier for the drivers to judge when they can change lines.

One of the major changes featured in this car is in the steering wheel, which now includes 13 buttons that are located on the front. They can be utilized to control functions such as brake force distribution, traction control, the radio, drink supply, the starter and electronic functions. What is more, there are also rotary controls that help influence the engine and traction control system maps.

Furthermore, a digital display shows the information about the absolute lap times, times in track sectors, the difference to previously clocked lap times or tyre inflation pressure. It is located in the centre of the driver’s field of vision and is accompanied by alarm functions.

The two-way radio communications on the other hand make fast exchanges of important information, in order to help the driver respond quickly and influence the car’s handling by using the steering wheel functions.

Source: Audi

June 7, 2013

2013 Audi R18 e-tron quattro To Compete At Le Mans 24 Hours

Le Mans 24 Hours will celebrate this year its 90th anniversary. In it the race, Audi has achieved eleven victories in 14 events. Now, the brand introduces its new model for Le Mans – namely, the 2013 Audi R18 e-tron quattro.

It will include some important enhancements in terms of efficiency and innovative technologies. The TFSI gasoline direct injection and the TDI engine, for instance, feature VTG (Variable Turbine Geometry) turbocharger. Other highlights are quattro four-wheel drive, e-tron hybrid technology, ultra-lightweight design, and LED lighting technology.

On 22d and 23d of June, on its 15th run at Le Mans, with three Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars, the brand will be competing with the goal to make another victory run. The focus on the new e-tron quarto is placed on its ultra-lightweight design, optimized aerodynamics, driver assistance systems, the matrix-beam headlight system and reliability as well as efficiency.

Source: Audi

May 10, 2013

Audi R18 e-Tron Hybrid Quattro

Audi R18 e-Tron Quattro is the world’s first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI with a hybrid system. The race car will make its official debut on May 5 in the six-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium and will compete for overall victory at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in France on June 16/17.

“Audi has always consciously selected championships and categories in racing that have a close relationship to production and therefore have technical relevance for the Audi customers,” said Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, who personally drove the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro onto the stage on Wednesday evening during its world premiere in the Audi Training Center at Munich airport – electrically and almost silent.

“Quattro, TFSI and TDI are three excellent examples of how motorsport has stimulated production development. A similar tendency is apparent with the e-tron quattro: we test a completely new technology on the race track before it’s introduced to the Audi production line.”, he added.

The R18 e-tron quattro uses recovered kinetic energy, which is fed as electric into a flywheel accumulator before being retrieved under acceleration again above a speed of 120 km/h. The extremely efficient V6 TDI diesel produces 510PS (375 kW) powering the rear wheels. Both systems complement each other to create the new drive principle e-tron quattro.

“The TDI engine invented by Audi is still the most efficient drive in the world,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

“We are convinced that the TDI has even more potential. This is why Audi not only supports the hybrid in motorsport as it does in production, but in parallel also the further development of the conventional drive.”, he added.

Audi Sport Team Joest will field two R18 e-tron quattro and two R18 ultra prototypes in the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 16/17. The two hybrid cars are driven by last year’s winning trio Marcel Fässler (CH), André Lotterer (D) and Benoît Tréluyer (F) as well as Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK) and Allan McNish (GB) who boast a total of 13 Le Mans wins between them. New signing

Source: Audi

March 2, 2012

Impressive TDI engine for the new Audi R18

Audi had to develop a new TDI engine for the R18 Race car, because of the regulations.

“Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car – especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity.”

The new compact 3.7 litre V6 TDI is much lighter than its V10 TDI predecessor fitted to the older R15 TDI Race car. The V6 TDI engine powering the Audi R18 TDI, which has a cylinder angle of 120 degrees and an extremely low center of gravity, is technically generations further along the line and is also a technology-demonstrator for future production engines. It is fitted with a single turbocharger that also sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the air scoop mounted on the roof.

The 3.7 litre V6 TDI has a power of more than 540PS (397 kW). Simply an incredible result of such small, light and compact power unit.

Furthermore, the Audi R18 TDI is probably the quietest race car Audi Sport has ever built.

“Noise is unused energy,” underlines Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich who is delighted by the whispering murmur of the R18 TDI.

“The sound is unique,” raves Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen.

“It’s hard to describe. You have to hear it yourself. I think it’s fantastic.”, he finished.
TDI engine for the new Audi R18 Le Mans 2011

Source: Audi

April 28, 2011

Audi R18 Race Car

After the successful R15 TDI, Audi has unveiled the new R18 Race Car, which will hit the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in the new season.

The LMP1 features carbon fibre body, full LED headlights and a closed cockpit. The chassis is also entirely made from carbon fiber featuring a single-component design that reduces weight and increases stiffness. (more…)

December 14, 2010

Tag: Audi R18