Audi R18

Audi
R18
Production period:	2011-2014
Class :	race car
Body versions :	Coupe
Engines:	Diesel engine : 3.7 V6 TDI 410 kW u. Electric motors : 200 kW
Length:	4650 mm
Width:	2000 mm
Height:	1030 mm
Wheelbase :
Empty weight :	min. 900 kg
Previous model	Audi R15 TDI
successor	Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro RP4

The Audi R18 is a sports car prototype developed and built by the Audi motorsport department, the 2011 version of the Audi R18 TDI , and from 2012 to 2014 the 24-hour race of Le as the Audi R18 e-tron quattro Mans won.

R18 TDI (2011)

The R18 TDI was Audi 's race car for the Le Mans 24-hour race and the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup . Triggered by a change in the regulations at Le Mans, the R18 TDI received several changes compared to its predecessor, the R15 TDI . Unusually for a closed Le Mans prototype, the monocoque consisted of one piece. As prescribed, the vehicle had a minimum weight of 900 kg. The 6-speed transmission was also a new development from Audi. For the first time since 1999 - when the closed R8C was used alongside the open Audi R8R - the Audi was no longer a roadster, but like the Peugeot 908 now had a roof that brought more aerodynamic efficiency. The main argument in favor of a roadster, namely a faster driver change, no longer existed after the change in the sporting regulations, because the pit stops now take much longer anyway. The characteristic fin was stipulated in the regulations; in turning, the air resistance should absorb the energy here. With the Audi R18 TDI, a vehicle fully equipped with LED lighting technology was at the start for the first time in the history of Le Mans.

The vehicle was presented to the public on December 10, 2010 in Ingolstadt and made its racing debut at the 1000 km race in Spa-Francorchamps in May 2011, finishing third behind two Peugeots.

R18 ultra (2012)

The R18 ultra is the extensively revised new edition of the R18 TDI for use in the Le Mans 24-hour race in 2012 and for the new FIA World Endurance Championship . Externally, the new model remained without any noticeable changes. A 3.7-liter V6 TDI unit is still used on the engine side . What is striking, however, is the unique turbocharger concept with a central exhaust gas turbocharger directly between the six cylinders of the diesel engine, which are arranged in a classic V shape . Since the exhaust manifolds are also directed inwards, there is an extremely short exhaust path to the exhaust gas turbocharger, which minimizes energy losses. Another advantage compared to the conventional bi-turbo variant with two exhaust gas turbochargers is that only one, but larger, turbine is used, which results in a slightly higher degree of efficiency, since, for example, the gap loss of a large charger is reduced overall compared to two smaller ones. The turbine side of the exhaust gas turbocharger has two radial inlets and one axial outlet and the compressor side has one axial inlet and distributes the air evenly to the two cylinder banks after compression. The turbine also works with variable turbine geometry , which makes it possible to operate the exhaust gas turbocharger optimally depending on the load condition.

R18 e-tron quattro (2012 and 2013)

An R18 e-tron quattro 2012 in Fuji

The R18 e-tron quattro is a model variant of the R18 ultra with hybrid drive . With the revision of the R18 ultra, two different, interchangeable drive versions were designed. The chassis of the R18 e-tron quattro is completely identical to that of the R18 ultra, but in addition to the conventional rear-wheel drive of the R18 ultra with a diesel engine, it has a hybrid system in the engine compartment and a switchable front-wheel drive with an electric motor / generator unit, which acts as a regenerative braking device for part of the braking energy as electricity. In addition, the R18 e-tron has a flywheel or gyro storage system for short-term, kinetic intermediate storage of braking energy.

At the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 , Audi achieved a one-two-three result, with the first two places being occupied by the two Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars. This is the first time a hybrid vehicle has won this race.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro during the Le Mans 24 Hours 2013

For the 2013 season, numerous modifications were made to the vehicle, so the car now has double end plates at the rear, as they are also used on the Toyota TS030 Hybrid ; they increase the downforce on the rear axle. The front has also been changed aerodynamically. The hybrid system has also been significantly improved; the recuperation is now the hybrid system is available to 15 to 20 percent more effective, so that even after curves with short braking phases, the full power.

drive

The power unit is a 3.7 liter V6 engine , which is specified with an output of over 397 kW (540 hp). Audi relied on diesel technology again for the drive . Compared to the previous V10, the turbocharger has been moved upwards, as has the exhaust side. Together with the smaller engine, this also results in more favorable aerodynamics. In addition, the exhaust gases and the cooling air can escape in such a way that they do not interfere with the flow of air around the car. According to Audi, the engine is 25% lighter than the previous one.

Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP3

→ Main article : Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP3

Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP4

→ Main article : Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP4

Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP5

→ Main article : Audi R18 E-Tron quattro RP5

Audi R18 RP6

→ Main article : Audi R18 RP6

Driver line-up at Le Mans

The following table shows the driver line-ups during the Le Mans 24-hour race . The vehicle shown in bold is the winning vehicle of the respective race.

Start list
No.	team	vehicle	tires	driver	driver	driver
2011
1	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18	M.	Timo Bernhard	Romain Dumas	Mike Rockenfeller
2	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18	M.	Marcel Fässler	André Lotterer	Benoît Tréluyer
3	Audi Sport North America	Audi R18	M.	Tom Kristensen	Rinaldo Capello	Allan McNish
2012
1	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	M.	André Lotterer	Benoît Tréluyer	Marcel Fässler
2	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	M.	Allan McNish	Tom Kristensen	Rinaldo Capello
3	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 ultra	M.	Marc Gené	Romain Dumas	Loïc Duval
4th	Audi Sport Team North America	Audi R18 ultra	M.	Oliver Jarvis	Marco Bonanomi	Mike Rockenfeller
2013
1	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	M.	André Lotterer	Benoît Tréluyer	Marcel Fässler
2	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	M.	Tom Kristensen	Allan McNish	Loïc Duval
3	Audi Sport Team Joest	Audi R18 e-tron quattro	M.	Marc Gené	Oliver Jarvis	Lucas di Grassi

Web links

Commons : Audi R18 TDI  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Commons : Audi R18 e-tron quattro  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Audi R18 e-tron quattro at www.audi.de
• Audi sports car booklet (PDF; 3.30 MB)
• "TRUTH IN 24 II - Every Second Counts" - Le Mans 24-hour race 2011, documentation (Youtube 1:22:52)
• “FIA World Endurance Championship” race at Fuji Speedway (2012) from the driver's perspective in the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. Including telemetry (Youtube 3:16:44)
• Preview: Audi R18 for the "World Endurance Championship" 2016 (Youtube 3:54)

Individual evidence

1. ↑ http://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2015-audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-ar168367.html
2. ↑ New Audi R18 TDI presented
3. ↑ News ( Memento from June 21, 2011 in the Internet Archive )
4. ↑ Archived copy ( Memento of the original from October 16, 2012 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
5. ↑ Unusual charging concept in Le Mans: Audi gives an insight into mono-turbo and VGT technology ( Memento from June 27, 2012 in the Internet Archive )
6. ↑ http://www.audiusanews.com/newsrelease.do?&id=2915&mid=1
7. ↑ Audi victory in Le Mans: Triumph of the hybrid cars . In: Der Spiegel , June 17, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
8. ↑ Roman Wittemeier: Audi: Where the 2013 version is better. Motorsport-Total.com, March 21, 2013, accessed March 22, 2013 .