Audi unveils hybrid R18 e-tron quattroposted in LMANS01 | 03 | 2012
THIS IS THE AUDI HYBRID sportscar which Scot Allan McNish will race in the Le Mans 24-Hours in June. Known as the R18 e-tron quattro, the hybrid version of the German manufacturer's turbodiesel LMP1 coupe pushes technology to new boundaries.
At the core of the new car is the fact its hybrid systems recover kinetic energy and return it to the track through the front axle.
Unveiled in Munich — along with the conventional 2012-spec version, which has been christened the R18 ultra — the hybrid will also race in the new FIA World Endurance Championship.
The car has stretched the meticulously-prepared and severely tight legislation in the Le Mans rulesbook to the max.
Within certain limits laid down in the Le Mans rulebook, the R18 e-tron becomes a four-wheel-drive car.
Ok: deep breath. The regulations allow 500kJ (approximately 70bhp) of stored energy to be transfered to the wheels between two braking 'events' at speeds above 120km/h (75mph).
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The rules allow energy retrieval on only one axle. The advantages of choosing the front wheels include improved traction and greater efficiency during the recovery process.
Audi has chosen to use a flywheel or accumulator for energy storage rather than batteries or the super-capacitors favoured by rival Toyota.
"To develop hybrid technology for Le Mans is at least as ambitious and challenging as our diesel project was in the early stages," Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich explained.
"The first results are very encouraging and we are intrigued to see just how this technology performs."
Christopher Reinke, Audi Sport's technical project leader LMP, said: "A high power density is crucial during energy recuperation. The accumulator must be capable of absorbing and lot of energy within a few seconds during the braking stage."
The flywheel has been developed by a division of the Grove-based Williams F1 team, Williams Hybrid Power, which also produced the unit in sister marque Porsche's 911 GT3-R Hybrid.
Audi will use a revised version of last year's R18 TDI in the opening round of the World Endurance Championship, the Sebring 12 Hours, on March 17.
The 2012 Audis will not race until the second round at Spa in May where it will run two R18 e-tron quattros and two R18 ultras.
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Jim McGill