Monday 13th December 2010

Audi Reveals R18 2011 Le Mans Car

Ingolstadt goes for a fixed roof, but sticks with TDI power

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Audi has revealed its latest Le Mans challenger, the R18, at the firm's HQ in Ingolstadt - and this time its contender is a coupe.

Rule changes for the 2011 Le Mans mean Audi has moved to a closed-cockpit design after more than a decade using roofless prototype cars.

Audi is sticking to turbodiesel power, despite the fact that the regulations have changed, reducing the maximum allowable capacity from 5.5 litres to 3.7 litres.

The reduction in capacity also means the R18 will be powered by six cylinders, rather than the V10 that propelled its Le Mans-winning R15-Plus predecessor.

According to Audi's motorsport boss, Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, the company wasn't keen to switch to a fixed-roof car, but the new regulations made it the only sensible option.

"The rules mean you have to have a roof to be competitive," he said. "Driver changes are always easier with open cars, but the changes have taken that away. The smaller-capacity engines also make aerodynamic efficiency more important."

Other notable features of the R18's design include an F1-esque fin running down the car's central spine (a la the Peugeot 908's latest addition), and striking LED headlights, which include a (dare we say 'gauche'? - yes, we do) set of daytime running lights that form the shape of a number '1'.

The R15-plus isn't dead yet, though - it will compete in the Sebring 12 hours early next year, while the R18 will not make its race debut until Spa in May, before heading to Le Mans.

[joe_90]

<obvious>Batmobile?</obvious>

[redstu]

Lovely, and it's less than six months till I see it at Lemans.

[BOBBY G]

Looks totally awesome!

[Fuelbrother DC]

Edited by Fuelbrother DC on Monday 13th December 10:48

[RB Will]

Looks like it might be a bugger to park.

[CraigyMc]

Fuelbrother DC said:

TIE fighter vs. R18

Quite.

If it goes as well as it looks, Audi have another winner on their hands.

[EDLT]

How long before "1" shaped DRLs become an option on Audi A4s?

[rhinochopig]

That "sail" could be interesting in a strong cross wind. Inspiration from James May's herald amphicar?

[carse]

Fondtech haven't been used for the aero development of this car - some are speculating after the R15 debacle Audi got a little peeved. I think Audi have taken a more hands on role in the aero development of the car, so hopefully we will see a battle royale between Audi and Pug in June.

[PabloTeK]

Dear ACO; NASCAR had the same problem as you and did they fit an enormous sheet of unobtanium to their car? No. They just made the cars even simpler:


Old wing.


New spoiler.

These things used to flip if you turned them around on the 1.5 milers and up (Look at Carl Edwards' crash at Talladega last year) yet all NASCAR did was swap it out for the new spoiler which fixed it, no nasty massive fins and if anything the racing is better!

Saying that it is a nice-looking car but will it beat the Pug?

[jon-]

While that's pretty, the pug is even more so. Imagine what F1 cars would look like if they had a more open rule book.

[ph1l5]

That looks sexy !!

[Guvernator]

That car looks absolutely awesome except for one small detail, those woeful number 1 daytime running lights. Audi really are the kings of chavtastic car bling, they couldn't even resist on a racing car.

[Streps]

[UltimaCH]

Are these cars still considered cars or should they be called giant robot vacuum cleaners?

[Dangermouse78]

While that Pug is definatly gorgeous... the mandatory fin makes it look like somewhat of an after thought & ruins the looks imho

[anonymous-user]

Liking both of those a lot.

Audi looks pretty mean and stealth like.

[Galileo]

Doesn't have much in the way of rear lights.

[vetteheadracer]

Hate the fin on both the Audi and the Pug, looks like they forgot to cut off the excess when they made the airfix kit!

[dafeller]

Not Tie Fighter, Cylon Raider