Audi Brings Quattro Back To "Le Mans"

Audi has recently announced the new R18 e-tron Quattro for Le Mans, which is coming with a lot of new technologies and features for a race car. According to the Motorsport division of the German based automaker, the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro is the first LMP1 racer to incorporate a diesel hybrid powertrain which is running with the company’s Quattro all-wheel drive system. The new Audi racer is coming with the kinetic energy recovery braking which is set on the front axle, sending the electricity back into a flywheel accumulator before making its way to the electric motors, but the company says that the system which is similar to Porsche’s KERS can be used at speeds under 120 km/h or 74 mph.

“Motor sport is used yet again by AUDI AG to pioneer new technology: the brand with the four ring’s new Le Mans race car is the world’s first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI with a hybrid system. Quattro drive also celebrates its comeback to the race track with the prototype – in an entirely new form”, as the automaker is saying in its official press release.

The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro’s V6 TDI engine is developing a total output of 510 horsepower, which is sent to the rear wheels, but the racer can’t operate on electricity alone. Audi says that a new transmission, with carbon fiber composite housing, a first in endurance racing, was developed by the company for the R18 e-tron Quattro, in order to compensate for the additional weight. The race car will make its race debut at the Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on the 5th of May, at the 6-hour race, than it will go to France, at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 16-17.