Just think, six years ago Audi changed the face of Le Mans when it entered a diesel-powered R10 prototype at Le Mans. Now it looks set to change things again.
The Audi e-tron quattro is the first diesel hybrid with all-wheel-drive. It will appear at Le Mans in June when it will race against a hybrid Toyota. Audi Sport is using tomorrow’s second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for June’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Unfortunately, the Toyota prototype was heavily damaged in a testing accident last month and the team was unable to get it repaired in time for tomorrow’s race so the two new Audi R18 e-tron LMP1 cars will only have their two teammates to compete against. They will be in a couple of R18 ultra prototypes that are powered by a 510-bhp V6 turbodiesel engine.
Today, in qualifying Allan McNish, set fastest time on the spectacular track in the Ardennes ahead of the other three Audis.
“Qualifying felt absolutely thrilling,” said McNish afterwards. “Our R18 e-tron quattro is making its debut, which is a very special moment for us drivers. Something like this happens only in the case of technological leaps like the introduction of the TDI engine six years ago or the e-tron quattro now, which is the next milestone. It’s great that Dindo, Tom and I are all the way at the front of the grid. The engineers gave us a strong, nicely balanced car in which I drove two good laps.”
In 2008, the Le Mans organizer ACO announced that the 2009 regulations would allow energy recovery systems for LMP1 cars. Audi says the complexity of the task has meant it has taken until now for the first manufacturer to field such an LMP1 vehicle in a race.
For the R18 e-tron quattro, Audi has developed a concept in which the V6 TDI engine drives the rear axle. On the front axle, the energy is electrically recuperated and fed into a flywheel energy storage system, which can return it to the front wheels during acceleration. There is no mechanical link between the front and rear wheel drives. The interaction is completely controlled by complex electronic systems.
The six-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps is not being broadcast in the U.S., however soon after the race ends in Belgium, Speed TV will present the television debut of “Truth in 24 II: Every Second Counts,” the third installation of the popular documentary series. The film chronicles the challenges overcome by the Audi Sport Team Joest at the 24 Hours of Le Mans race last year. After terrifying crashes claimed the two other Audi race cars, the third and final race car was left to hold off three Peugeots resulting in the team’s ultimate victory.
Here’s a trailer for the film that will be shown tomorrow (Saturday May 5) at 4:00 PM ET/1:00 PM PT. It will be available mid-May in high-definition on iTunes as a free download for viewing on any Mac, PC, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or on your HDTV with Apple TV. Based on the success of the first two films this should be worth viewing.
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Related posts:
- Audi R18 Ultra Crashes During Testing
- Audi e-tron Spyder Visits 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Audi e-Tron Concept – 2010 Detroit Auto Show
Source : Google Reader
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