Audi unveils new R18 e-tron quattro ahead of 2016 World Endurance Championship season. Plus a highlights video
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Audi has unveiled its new R18 e-tron Quattro for the 2016 World Endurance Championship, a model Ingolstadt refers to as ‘the most powerful and efficient racing car Audi has ever built.’
The first key difference lies in the power, Audi taking a step up the six megajoule hybrid LMP1 sub-class after a year racing in the 4MJ division. The company has also abandoned flywheel energy storage in favour of a lithium-ion battery, a similar layout of which is used in sister company Porsche’s 919 Hybrid. It is also believed the new-for-2016 model retains its four-litre turbo-diesel V6. Audi has yet to confirm key changes to the aerodynamics, aside from a new, demonic black and red livery.
Testing began for the new R18 earlier this month in Paul Ricard with Filippe Albuquergue behind the wheel, and is set to continue at Sebring early in December.
The new model follows a solid if unspectacular WEC season for Audi, in which it plated second fiddle to the Porsche 919 Hybrid – which secured both the driver’s and constructor’s championships as well as Porsche’s 17th outright victory at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans – despite a strong start with victory in Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps. Indeed, André Lotterer, Marcel Fässler and Benoiît Tréluyer failed to miss a single podium spot throughout the 2015 season, giving the WEC plenty of highlights to offer for its latest video…
Source – FIAWEC
