Audi unveils its new 24 Hours of Le Mans contender, the R18 e-tron Quattro.
[Not a valid template]Any and all Porsche fans might want to look away. This black behemoth is the brand new Audi R18 e-tron quattro, and could well be the beast that takes Ingolstadt to a 13th 24 Hours of Le Mans victory next year.
For those of you who don’t follow the World Endurance Championship, take a second to read up on last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours and catch up with us. Few details have been released concerning the new R18 e-tron quattro, the covers of which were thrown off by nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen. The prototype is a development of the silver-winged chariot that took Audi to six wins from eight races and the WEC crown this season, courtesy of a stonking 490hp 3.7-litre V6 TDI and hybrid powertrain. It therefore remains a hot favourite to retain its crown in 2014 against established rivals Toyota and new in-house nemesis Porsche, who return to the series next season.
Numero uno begins its fight at the 6 Hours of Silverstone in April, taking in an eight-round WEC campaign that ends at the 6 Hours of Bahrain in November, with that all important 24-Hour race grabbing the headlines in June.
The new R18’s track debut is due to take place today at the Sebring circuit in Florida, home of the prestigious 12 hours of Sebring. Yep, Audi has won that multiple times too. We told you to look away Porsche fans.
– Shot courtesy of Audi Sport
