The new Audi R18 TDI with which Audi targets its tenth victory in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11/12 is ready today. During development of the new LMP1 sports car, the integration and future electrification of the powertrain and various possible concepts for energy recuperation have been taken into account.
"We are very conscious of such systems," explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "In our opinion, just as soon as this technology proves to be the most efficient we will use it at Le Mans." Although diesel engines have been repeatedly restricted by the regulations since their victorious introduction in 2006, "Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car - especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity."
New regulations devised by the Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO) and introduced this year dictate significantly smaller engines. Audi has chosen a particularly compact 3.7 liter V6 TDI engine, which is about 25 per cent lighter than the V10 TDI power plant previously fitted to the older R15 TDI, and which leaves all options open for the technicians with regard to electrification and energy recuperation. "This would not be the case with a V8," explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport.
To lower the center of gravity as much as possible and to improve airflow through the car, the exhaust manifolds were migrated from the left and right hand sides of the engine to sit between the two cylinder banks. 'Hot side inside' is the name given to this concept by specialists, which was implemented in similar form in Formula 1 in the 1980s. But the V6 TDI engine powering the Audi R18 TDI, which has a cylinder angle of 120 degrees and thus an extremely low center of gravity, is technically generations further along the line and is also a technology-demonstrator for future production engines.
In contrast to previous Audi Le Mans sports cars, which all had twin turbochargers, the R18 TDI is now only fitted with a single turbocharger that also sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the air scoop mounted on the roof. "In this way we are able to convert the dynamic pressure generated at high speeds with minimal losses into power," explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport.
Another unique aspect of the new Le Mans sports car is its unusual sound. The Audi R18 TDI is probably the quietest race car Audi Sport has ever built. "Noise is unused energy," stresses Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich who is delighted by the whispering murmur of the R18 TDI. "The sound is unique," raves Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen. "It’s hard to describe. You have to hear it yourself. I think it’s fantastic."
