Audi unveils the R18 e-tron quattro

  • Mar 26, 2014
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Audi reveals their R18 e-tron quattro in France

Audi R18 e-tron quattro

Audi began the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season in a unique way. Audi chose to drive their R18 e-tron quattro in public traffic, before heading it to the Le Mans race track, in Western France. Tom Kristensen, nine times winner of Le Mans 24 Hours, the world’s oldest active sports car race, drove the Quattro from Place des Jacobins to the Le Mans race track.

The colour scheme of the R18 e-tron quattro is eye-catching. The new scheme comprising white, silver, red and black colours give the racing car a refreshing look. Dirk van Braeckel, Design Manager Motorsport and Special Projects, Audi, explains that each colour on the Audi is symbolic. Silver symbolises the racing car's past success, and harmonises well with white, which symbolises the car's hybrid drive. The matte black look on the engine cover is intended to represent a backbone-like structure while conveying the car's light-weight design to the spectators. The red colour completes the graphics by symbolising the car's performance.

A 4.0-litre V6 TDI engine will run under the hood of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro. In addition to the V6 TDI engine R18 will also have two hybrid power systems on board. Audi has also revised the R18’s motor generator unit (MGU), which recovers kinetic energy during braking. Unlike Audi’s other earlier quattro cars that relied on traditional mechanical differentials to manage power to the front and rear wheels, the R18 e-tron uses an electronic control unit that determines best power splitting ratios between the front and rear wheels.

Safety regulations for the R18 have also been revised to meet the new stringent rules of 2014 FIA WEC. For instance the R18's carbon fibre monocoque now has more layers in order to increase structural tolerances and reduce unwanted items from entering the cockpit space. To prevent the wheels from flying off and injuring spectators or other drivers in accidents, wires connected to key suspension points have also been built in.

The Audi R18 e-tron quattro will be participating in the official test of the 2014 FIA WEC on March 28 and 29 at Le Castellet, France.

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