Audi's new R18 Le Mans car - a coupe
Discussion
The R18.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88652
Going back to it's roots, the original Audi R8C Le Mans car was a coupe in it's first year. As was the later Bentley.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/88652
Going back to it's roots, the original Audi R8C Le Mans car was a coupe in it's first year. As was the later Bentley.
I am totally shocked by the look. It just looks absolutely brutal, maybe even rough.. I think I like it, but probably because it's different and rebellious. I can't even say that it looks functional but I'm sure Audi have done the maths and decided that it is!
But it definitely looks like an R15 with a roof plonked on it, lots of shared body features.
But it definitely looks like an R15 with a roof plonked on it, lots of shared body features.
I kinda like it. I don't like the fin on the back though.
More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
More pictures and stuff here - http://theracingline.net/2010/bigpicture/big-pictu...
The fin is a 2011 regulation, they will all have it.
The fin is a 2011 regulation, they will all have it.
Edited by ajprice on Friday 10th December 22:59
RobFerrari said:
I kinda like it. I don't like the fin on the back though.
More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
That fin looks bloody awful... as it does on the new Peugeot.More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
Looks like an early draft on the new Batmobile, pre Christian Bale reboot.
Still it's got McNish at the wheel, so come on Audi at La Sarthe!
davepoth said:
Does it have stupid DRLs I wonder?
Daytime running lights? Surely this is just a matter of whether the teams/drivers switch on the lights during the day, not a feature of the car's design?ETA: In fact, under ACO rules, don't the lights have to be on during the day?
Edited by SamHH on Saturday 11th December 00:50
I want it to win purely because I have a completely unfathomable hatred of Peugeot and the 908 (and probably whatever they come up with next).
However, I'd rather they just didn't run Le Mans because those fins are bloody awful. Really they're the worst addition to motorsports (they've completely ruined F1 cars aesthetically as well) that I can remember. I could care less how effective they are from an engineering standpoint, only Stevie Wonder could enjoy these cars with these fins.
However, I'd rather they just didn't run Le Mans because those fins are bloody awful. Really they're the worst addition to motorsports (they've completely ruined F1 cars aesthetically as well) that I can remember. I could care less how effective they are from an engineering standpoint, only Stevie Wonder could enjoy these cars with these fins.
Woah! Is anyone else hearing the Imperial March from Star Wars?
Some things, usually cutting edge technology whilst not conventionally beautiful, does have a sense of purpose - or menace (think AH-64 Apache, etc.) This doesn't even have that; it's ugly from that oddly truncated front fender line back.
IIRC couple of years ago, the ACO stated they were actively trying set rules that made the cars better looking (really); guess that didn't work out then...
Some things, usually cutting edge technology whilst not conventionally beautiful, does have a sense of purpose - or menace (think AH-64 Apache, etc.) This doesn't even have that; it's ugly from that oddly truncated front fender line back.
IIRC couple of years ago, the ACO stated they were actively trying set rules that made the cars better looking (really); guess that didn't work out then...
Beauty in the eye of the beholder, Sean. I think that looks rather splendid. Added benefit, it's not French.
As mentioned above, 1999 saw the R8C coupe but also the R8R which is the car that went on to develop into the R15+. The R8C was unfortunately only to race at Le Mans 1999, run by Audi UK with one P. McCarthy on board, with only 2 chassis built.
As mentioned above, 1999 saw the R8C coupe but also the R8R which is the car that went on to develop into the R15+. The R8C was unfortunately only to race at Le Mans 1999, run by Audi UK with one P. McCarthy on board, with only 2 chassis built.
SamHH said:
ETA: In fact, under ACO rules, don't the lights have to be on during the day?
Yup, cars must be showing both headlights (depending on nationality...) and of the correct colour. Failure to do so is a call back into the pits for a new nose/penalty if initial warning/s ignored (again, depending on nationality). Edited by SamHH on Saturday 11th December 00:50
RobFerrari said:
I kinda like it. I don't like the fin on the back though.
More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
looks like a monster! if only they had decent engines(yeahh there good but quite and no character) like a deep v8 to match the looks would be perfect. However i approve, hopefully be able to stuff the 908's, although not the aston's More photos here: http://jalopnik.com/5711519/audi-r18-le-mans-proto...
The more i look at it the more I find myself liking it. From certain angles it looks menacing and imposing and from others downright ugly! Its just a shame it will have a silent diesel in the back instead of a screaming petrol v12. I also find myself slightly saddened at the loss of the open cockpit but im sure I'll get over it!!
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