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Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, SKODA & Volkswagen
Coming off a three weekend win streak, can Audi make it four in a row? From the incredible Le Mans 24 Hour win, DTM Lausitzring win and a 1-2-3 podium sweep yesterday at the Nurburgring 24 Hour. Both Timo Bernhard and Marcel Fassler were on the podium as well and will race at Imola.
With two cars demolished at Le Mans and the winning no2 car going on to live it up, Audi had to build two new ones, designated as R18-103 and R18-107. Continue reading ‘Two new Audi R18 TDI cars for Imola ILMC’
This morning, Audi employees were treated to the sights and stealth like sounds of the Le Mans winning no2 Audi R18 TDI. As the R18 TDI circled around the plant, Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer were in A5 Cabriolets behind “Red Sonja”, waving to the crowd and later signing autographs. Continue reading ‘Le Mans winning Audi R18 TDI tours Ingolstadt plant’
Next week, Tuesday May 31 from 11AM-6PM USA-EST (4-11PM UK time), Allan McNish will be live on the Fourtitude forums to field questions from you. On the heels of our Audi connect R18 TDI article, Allan will be loggin in via Audi connect as he travels from London to Scotland in the back of a new Audi A8. Continue reading ‘Join Allan McNish on Fourtitude Forums next Tuesday, May 31′
Audi R18 TDI drivers will be able to tweet live from the cockpit as the race around the Le Sarthe circuit. Using the Audi connect system introduced in the Audi A7, wifi will be available to them, keeping you up to date at all corners…
All kidding aside, the R18 TDI will have Audi connect onboard. With racecars getting highly sophisticated now, feedback is of great importance. From tire pressure to brakes, engine mapping to wheel gun torque, it is all monitored. Each time a car passes the pits, high frequency “burst” data recorded is transmitted to the engineers. Even the ACO will be connected tot he R18 TDI allowing them to monitor boost pressures and cockpit temps. Continue reading ‘Drivers to use Audi connect in R18 TDI during Le Mans’
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Naturally, the result of the race at Spa is disappointing for us because the Audi R18 TDI was clearly beaten below its potential on its debut. We were on a par with Peugeot in terms of pure speed but there were simply too may small things that went wrong – and unfortunately with all three cars. That was certainly frustrating. We’ll take home the positive finding of having a fast car that we’ll have to make better use of though. We’ve learned a lot today in racing conditions. Now we’ve got to put these findings into action before Le Mans.” Continue reading ‘LMS: Audi R18 TDI drivers on 1000k of Spa results’
Now the action will begin in earnest. After thousands of test kilometers including the recent test day at Le Mans, the new Audi R18 TDI is ready for its first race. At the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 7, Audi Sport Team Joest will perform its “dress rehearsal” for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Continue reading ‘First racing commitment of the Audi R18 TDI’
A week ago we brought you the technology behind Audi’s R18 TDI. Today, Audi gives us a rare look into the engine. We say “rare” because it is always guarded off in one way or another. At a race you will see the tent’s in full lockdown and sealed shut when they are working on it.
The R10 ran a 5.5L V12 weighing in at 200 kg/441 lb and produced a mere 700hp. The R15 used a 5.5L V10 pushing 590hp. With the R18 TDI, Audi is now using a 3.7L V6 TDI engine. It is roughly 25% lighter than the V10 and produces 550hp. A V8 could have been used, like we see in the Peugeot 908, but Audi choose the V6 for power, weight and efficiency. The V6 also uses a single turbo vs twin’s in the other two models. The exhaust also exits through a single pipe under the new fin. Continue reading ‘A rare look into Audi’s R18 TDI V6 engine’
We now have over 100 images of the Audi R18 TDI’s. The latest additions are detailed shots of the technology and carbon design behind these beast. Last weekend we witnessed the R18′s crushing Le Mans testing the time sheets.
In just under 2 weeks time, Audi and Peugeot will due battle at the 1000km of Spa‐Francorchamps. Although Peugeot raced their new prototypes at the 12 Hours of Sebring, this will be the first time both manufacturers are racing new cars against each other. Audi did run the R18 the following week as was lapping seconds faster. It has bot run under race conditions. Continue reading ‘Audi R18 TDI gallery updated’
