Audi has unveiled their new prototype for the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. It’s called the R18 and it will have some serious catching up to do with the Audi legacy.
Domination is the word that most people use to describe the run of victories at Le Mans that Audi has presented. The only wrinkle to that name is the lost to Peugeot in 2009. The past race in 2010 though was spectacular, as Audi swept taking one, two, and three, atop the podium in the R15.
The R18 is different than other Audi race cars that have come before it in the decade. For starters, it has a closed top, a first in their recent legacy and since 1999. It’s no coincidence to me that when the lost to Peugeot in 2009 to their new supercar, Audi decided to follow design and begin crafting the car in mid 2009 as well. They stated in the press release: “A closed car has clear advantages in this respect. Our computer simulations have been confirmed in the wind tunnel and during initial track tests."
The engine is a 3.7 liter TDI V-6 engine and Audi has not specified number for it yet but you can be sure they wont be to far off the mark of the previous car and probably even better. They have a legacy to keep and doing so has proven harder and harder every year so they will max out their new car. Audi is using the engine to pioneer smaller, more efficient, and more powerful engines they stated in the press release. A new six speed automatic transmission is also going to be in place.
Along with the technicalities is the body, a single forged carbon fiber piece which is said to improve stiffness and save weight. The lights are a first, all LED. Le Mans is about proving the technologies of the cars, and Audi certainly is filling in that respect. As their slogan goes, Truth In Engineering.
Audi will have three R18’s on the track at Le Mans in 2010 all running for the title. Will they be able to do it? Probably.
Audi’s intensity for the gold has tied Ferraris record of nine wins. With The drivers, the experience, the passion, and the engineering, Audi could keep this spree going for a long time to come.
Sourced from Autoblog
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