The 2016 Audi R18 Le Mans Racer

Audi has been the most dominant force at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for most of this century. Since 2000 Audi has won the race thirteen times, including five in a row from 2004-2008 and 2010 -2014 before finally losing in 2015 to Porsche this past June. After 395 laps and over 3,300 miles, the  Porsche 919 Hybrid claimed its record seventeenth overall win at the 24 Hours. Porsche though had been dry since 1998, the last time they won before this past season. The only other Audi loses since 2000 came at the hands of a Bentley Speed 8 and the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP

With Porsche continuing to breathe down their neck, and Toyota’s TS040 Hybrid and Nissan’s GT-R LM NISMO becoming more and more competitive, the time seems just right for Audi to re-establish their dominance. And they just might do that in the nick of time with their newly retooled Audi R18.

The cars competing in the LMP1 (Le Mans Prototypes) are second only in European prestige to Formula One. They are the fastest closed wheel cars to grace circuit racing tracks.

With all the history and esteem surrounding the LMP1, it is no accident that manufacturers put so much money, engineering, and resources into the program.

No one has been as innovative as Audi since the refinement of their R15 TDI in 2010. The next year, 2011 they brought to the track the next generation of LMP1, the R18, and have been tweaking and refining it ever since.

The latest version of the R18 that will run at Le Mans in 2016 is a magnificent race car. It has taken the greatest aspects of R18 development and added a number of enhancements that could bring the car back to the center of the podium in 2016.

The car is breathtaking to look at with its closed cockpit and new lines. While the design looks blockier than its predecessors, Audi has stated that the new shape of the race car in actuality more aerodynamic.

The hybrid 2016 Audi R18 will use a system of lithium ion batteries to store energy. The previous versions relied on a flywheel system. Audi will also keep the TFI diesel engine. The R18 holds the distinction of being the only diesel to compete in the LMP1 class.

While hybrid and racing might seem to be an oxymoron, the R18 uses the electric power to help boost the diesel combustion engine. The energy that is recovered from braking can be counted on to power at least one electric motor in small bursts to add some power to the R18.

Audi is sure they have the juice with their R18 to give the Porsche 919 Hybrid a day and night of pain at Le Mans next season.