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2015 Audi R18 e-tron quattro Learns New Tricks for Le Mans

Audi are determined to retain their 2014 Le Mans title won after a hard-fought battle against Porsche and in order to do that, the Ingolstadt giant presented an improved versions of their R18 e-tron quattro racer.
Audi R18 e-tron quattro Le Mans 22 photos
Photo: Audi
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The revised R18 e-tron quattro will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) but the company’s biggest bet is the Le Mans 24 Hours Race. That being said, Audi is making sure the odds are working for them with a new aerodynamic body that improves the airflow around and through the front end, sidepods and through the back of the LMP1 prototype.

This explains the larger air inlets, the redesigned wheel arches, the new hood, engine cover and reshaped headlights - which received matrix LED and Audi Laserlight tech. Audi will be preparing two body versions to compete in the FIA WEC calendar which will benefit from an optimized chassis and Michelin tires.

Moreover, engineers doubled the amount of energy from two to four megajoules per race lap at Le Mans. The electric motor’s performances were also boosted to reach an output of 272 HP, while the encapsulated flywheel energy storage installed in the cockpit alongside the driver can now store up to 700 kilojoules, “about 17 percent more than in 2014”, according to Audi.

The V6 TDI unit is now good for 558 HP but Audi will only have five such engines at their disposal for the 2015 WEC season. Bear in mind that the R18 e-tron quattro is weighing only 870 kg (1,918 lb) which means Audi covered the ‘blistering-fast’ part as they should, but there’s more to Le Mans than speed as teams will embark on a 24-hour endurance marathon where anything can go wrong.
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