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New Audi for Le Mans 2011
Phil74Camper - January 5th, 2011 at 09:18 PM

This is the completely new and redesigned Audi R18 TDI race car, that Audi will race at this year's Le Mans 24-hour in June.

Audi has won Le Mans 9 times since their first win in 2000, including a 1-2-3 blitz last year (when all the Peugeots blew up). Unlike the old open-top R8, R10 and R15 racers, the new R18 has a closed cabin for better aerodynamics and reduced driver fatigue.

New Le Mans fuel regulations have encouraged Audi to downsize the engine, from the 5.5-litre V10 on the old R15 to a 3.7-litre V6 TDI. A new six-speed sequential box gives one more cog than before.

The body is a one-piece fully carbon-fibre monocoque.The headlights are all LED, including Audi's daytime running lights.

Audi/Joest will run three of these cars this year.

donn - January 6th, 2011 at 08:57 AM

And 2 little fat men to stuff up the power/weight ratio. :smilegrin:

HappyDaze - January 6th, 2011 at 09:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by donn
And 2 little fat men to stuff up the power/weight ratio. :smilegrin:

What do you mean? Who are they?

donn - January 6th, 2011 at 09:29 AM

just below the head lights, isn't that the driver and passenger?

HappyDaze - January 6th, 2011 at 11:15 AM

Ahha! Now I see 'em:lol:......Bibendum & Bubendum :?:

They're probably for ballast - those things tend take off at high speed.:rolleyes:

Phil74Camper - January 6th, 2011 at 11:51 AM

Well, Mercedes CLR sports cars might take off (and loop-the-loop) at Le Mans Greg, but Audis don't !

HappyDaze - January 6th, 2011 at 12:02 PM

Quite true, Phil. Bet Mark Webber still has nightmares about that.:crazy:

Snap Crackle Bang - January 6th, 2011 at 08:29 PM

Batman has a new car!

Phil74Camper - January 6th, 2011 at 08:51 PM

Nowhere for Robin to sit, though...

These are promo photos of the new car in raw carbon fibre. For racing they will be painted in the usual Audi racing colours of silver with red piping.