2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro Details Released
Audi has released information on their historically dominant Le Mans Prototype, the 2014 R18 e-tron quattro. The 2014 model has been further refined from the previous year's model, and has been given a new, darker livery than before.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro improves on Audi's race proven R18 chassis, which has been immensely successful in one of the most important series of motorsport now known as the World Endurance Championship. In what has been the most successful prototype campaigns since Porsche's Le Mans dominance, minor changes have been made to keep the R18 competitive in the upcoming 2014 season.
“The next Audi R18 e-tron quattro represents a completely new generation of Le Mans prototypes,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “The principles of the LMP1 regulations have fundamentally changed. The idea behind this is to achieve similarly fast lap times as in the past with considerably less energy. Making more out of less: a forward-thinking approach.”
The 2014 R18 keeps its turbodiesel V6 and hybrid system, along with a host of refinements gained from their previous experience. When compared to the previous year, however, the R18 will use 30 percent less fuel. In order to conserve on fuel use, the R18 has been developed to combine the use of the existing flywheel-based hybrid, as well as a new electric turbocharger. The R18's hybrid system, called the Energy Recovery System Kinetic, continues to power the front wheels through the onboard flywheel system.
Although the R18 looks similar to last year's model, new aerodynamic regulations have warranted small modifications to the body. The new car is 10 millimeters slimmer, allowing a more streamlined aerodynamic profile. This offsets some of the losses from the tighter regulations, which disallow the use of exhaust gas through the rear diffuser.
Furthermore, the Audi R18 is now stronger than ever. The strength of the R18's chassis was put to the test during the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, when two of Audi's drivers walked away from high speed accidents. Even with the strengthened chassis, the R18's weight can be reduced from the current minimum of 915 kilograms to 870 kilograms, if the rules change to allow the lower weights.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will make its race debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone on April 20, 2014 then work to defend its Le Mans title on June 14.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro improves on Audi's race proven R18 chassis, which has been immensely successful in one of the most important series of motorsport now known as the World Endurance Championship. In what has been the most successful prototype campaigns since Porsche's Le Mans dominance, minor changes have been made to keep the R18 competitive in the upcoming 2014 season.
“The next Audi R18 e-tron quattro represents a completely new generation of Le Mans prototypes,” said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport. “The principles of the LMP1 regulations have fundamentally changed. The idea behind this is to achieve similarly fast lap times as in the past with considerably less energy. Making more out of less: a forward-thinking approach.”
The 2014 R18 keeps its turbodiesel V6 and hybrid system, along with a host of refinements gained from their previous experience. When compared to the previous year, however, the R18 will use 30 percent less fuel. In order to conserve on fuel use, the R18 has been developed to combine the use of the existing flywheel-based hybrid, as well as a new electric turbocharger. The R18's hybrid system, called the Energy Recovery System Kinetic, continues to power the front wheels through the onboard flywheel system.
Although the R18 looks similar to last year's model, new aerodynamic regulations have warranted small modifications to the body. The new car is 10 millimeters slimmer, allowing a more streamlined aerodynamic profile. This offsets some of the losses from the tighter regulations, which disallow the use of exhaust gas through the rear diffuser.
Furthermore, the Audi R18 is now stronger than ever. The strength of the R18's chassis was put to the test during the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans, when two of Audi's drivers walked away from high speed accidents. Even with the strengthened chassis, the R18's weight can be reduced from the current minimum of 915 kilograms to 870 kilograms, if the rules change to allow the lower weights.
The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro will make its race debut at the 6 Hours of Silverstone on April 20, 2014 then work to defend its Le Mans title on June 14.
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