Audi announced the R18 etron quattro, a completely new Le Mans race car prototype.
Audi announced the R18 etron quattro prototype race car, a completely new form of Le Mans. The vehicle features a new drive technology and is the first LMP1 car with a diesel hybrid powertrain. It works in conjunction with Audi’s all-wheel drive system e-tron quattro.
The R18 etron quattro’s operating principle is that electricity is sent to the flywheel accumulator and then back down to the front wheels via a kinetic energy recuperation braking system. The accumulator cannot be used to retrieve energy if the acceleration is greater than 120 km/h (74 mph).
The V6 TDI powerplant producing 510 HP (375 kW), simultaneously transmits power power to the rear wheels. This system operates in a similar fashion to Porsche’s flywheel KERS on their 911GT3 R Hybrid. However, it is mildly hybrid and cannot run on electricity alone. It uses a petrol engine at the rear.
Today’s Munich premiere event saw Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich as head of Audi Motorsport. He drove the Audi R18 etron quattro on the stage, almost silently, and electrically, the new Audi R18.
A new gearbox was designed for the R18 with a carbon-fiber composite body to offset the extra weight of the hybrid system. This is a first in endurance racing.
Audi will offer an R18 Ultra, which is identical to R18 E-tron Quattro but with a hybrid drive. Audi Sport’s R18 Ultra prototype is the lightest Le Mans vehicle it has ever made.
The R18 e-tron quiattro will race its debut at Spa-Francorchamps’ 6-hour race (Belgium), on May 5, followed by the famed 24 Hours of Le Mans in France on June 16/17. Audi Sport Team Joest will have two R18 etron quattro prototypes and two R18 super prototypes at Le Mans.