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AUDI is the world’s first automobile manufacturer to
develop a "second" generation diesel racing sports car. Audi aims to
underline its supremacy and consolidate its expertise in car technology
once more at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans with the all-new Audi R15
TDI.
The 24 Hours of Le
Mans is particularly suited for this: E fficient
and economical cars are especially required for the French endurance
classic. Lightweight construction, environmentally friendly drive
concepts and well-thought out aerodynamics are the focus of attention at
Le Mans just as they are during the development of production cars. For
this purpose the regulations intentionally give the engineers plenty of
freedom.
Audi Sport fully
exploited this creative freedom and put a new LMP1 race car on the track
that differs significantly from all previous Le Mans sports cars. "The
R15 TDI has many detailed technical solutions never seen before on a
sports prototype," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr.
Wolfgang Ullrich. "To a certain extent we followed entirely new routes."
The heart of the R15
TDI is a newly developed V10 TDI engine producing more than 600 hp, with
a maximum torque output in excess of 1,050 Newton meters and which
reflects the latest version of the TDI Technology invented by Audi. The
power unit is more compact and lighter than the twelve-cylinder engine
used in the preceding R10 TDI model. The specific fuel consumption and
associated CO2 emissions could also be reduced. Innovations
in the turbo-charging and fuel injection areas simultaneously ensure
improved engine response. The R15 TDI is also equipped with a new
generation of even lighter diesel particle filters.
The vehicle electrical system in the Le Mans sports car is entirely new:
A lithium-ion battery, as found in some hybrid vehicles, is used for the
first time. It is lighter than the conventional battery and supplies a
higher voltage.
The headlights fitted to the R15 TDI also benefit from the higher power.
At Le Mans, Audi competes for the first time with a low beam unit
comprised entirely of light emitting diodes, which represents the next
generation of Audi LED technology for road cars. |
