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

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 A1 R18 Competition Package

Audi has introduced a new competition package for the A1 at the 2013 Worthersee Motor Show. The small hatchback received the R18 competition package and is named after the famous R18 e-Tron Quattro.

The 2013 Audi A1 Competition Package comes with only styling modifications such as red and gray accents, “378” badges and a tailgate spoiler. Other highlights include a front lip spoiler and a set of new alloy wheels with black accents.

The interior boasts a set of new floor mats and a unique center console with red and gray accents.

Nothing is mentioned about the price.

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

Audi R18 TDI at the 6-Hour Race in China

Audi wants to boost their positions in motorsport in China, that’s why they will bring Audi R18 TDI at the 6-Hour Race in Zuhai.

In 1985 and 1986, the legendary Audi quattro won the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally two consecutive times. Audi competed with the A4 DTM at Shanghai twice. And on the debut of the sports prototypes at Zhuhai last year the spectators were thrilled by the Audi R15 TDI.

Audi R18 TDI is a true masterpiece with a number of genius engineering solutions for the ultra-lightweight design.

The big V10 is replaced with a 3.7 litres V6 TDI with sensational 540PS (397 kW). It is connected to a new 6-speed gearbox made of carbon-fiber composite material.

Weight is saved even from the headlights, which feature LED technology. Because the gearshift is no longer activated pneumatically but rather electrically, the R18 TDI requires no more pneumatic system. Optimized airflow through the cockpit should make air-conditioning redundant.

Audi fans around the world will be able to watch the ILMC finale live on the internet on Audi.tv. The broadcast from Zhuhai will start at 11 a.m. local time (4 a.m. CET) on November 13. Eurosport will broadcast the final stages of the race live from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. (CET).

Source: Audi

November 6, 2011

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: R18