Audi R18 e-tron quattro Launch

[Red Firecracker]

Another year, another Audi LMP1 and another set of Audi acronyms!


picture from http://www.racedepartment.com/2012/03/24-hours-of-...

Link to the free DSC report;

http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewArticle.cfm?arti...

[//j17]

"On the Audi R18 e-tron quattro kinetic energy is recovered on the front axle during the braking phase. It is fed as electric into a flywheel accumulator..."

Another customer for the Williams KERS system?

"Audi Sport developed the Audi R18 ultra in parallel to the Audi R18 e-tron quattro...The trick: the base of both cars is completely identical, which is why the additional logistical effort is kept limited for Audi Sport and the race team."

Boring as it may be that I've been going to Le Mans for 10 years and only seen 1 race NOT won by a VAG car you do have to respect the attention to detail and planning that's made that posible, even when they didn't have the fastest car.

[HooWhoHoux]

The dramatic (and worrying) crashes of car #1 & #3 at last years 24H, showed what they are made of as a team. Sure they have the money and experience, but last years win was a tremendous example of sticking to the task at hand with odds very much in favour of their main rivals Peugeot. The last few hours of that race were thrilling!

[RobbyJ]

Car looks great but I prefered the mean looking black car last year, at night they looked like some kind of stealth craft!

[Dr Boxcat]

HooWhoHoux said:

The dramatic (and worrying) crashes of car #1 & #3 at last years 24H, showed what they are made of as a team. Sure they have the money and experience, but last years win was a tremendous example of sticking to the task at hand with odds very much in favour of their main rivals Peugeot. The last few hours of that race were thrilling!

It was amazing to to see them battle to the win after those horrific crashes, I remember hearing the mcnish crash from Tet Rouge and the deafening silence that followed it for a few moments after.

RobbyJ said:

Car looks great but I prefered the mean looking black car last year, at night they looked like some kind of stealth craft!

Maybe the reason they've gone for a bright design is because of it being so stealth last year, it was harder to see?

[eastsider]

Yes it is based on the Williams KERS flywheel system:

http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2012/03/01/williams-sup...

So its Audi (diesel kinetic hybrid) vs Toyota (petrol electric hybrid)?

[RobbyJ]

Dr Boxcat said:

Maybe the reason they've gone for a bright design is because of it being so stealth last year, it was harder to see?

Good point well made, I was just thinking of looks not practicality!

[Red Firecracker]

I think the brightness of the headlights negated any livery visibility concerns for the cars in front. I must admit though, I can't wait to see them nice and dirty.

[A Curtis]

Pretty cool to see what looks like minor aero changes on the cars to my eyes, top lip of the front lower vents, headlights look more squared off, possibly roof vent slightly different? Might just be the way it's stickered up in dark/light colours mind. Have a proper look tomorrow. Albino audi looks cracking though IMO, they never fail in making a cracking livery.

[Hansgerd]

E-tron or étron ? The French will love it.

[thanetspeedshop]

Hansgerd said:

E-tron or étron ? The French will love it.

will be racing against Toyota at Le Mans; MR2?