Hybrids of Audi Motorsport finished second and fourth in Belgium
Audi factory team again made a furore in the endurance races. The German team took part in six-hour race of the series World Endrurance Championship, which took place on the track “Spa-Francorchamps” Belgium. That was the debut of the hybrid prototype Audi R18 e-tron quattro, occupied respectively the second and fourth. The first and third were again Audi R18, but in the diesel version - ultra.
Audi makes a new furor for endurance racing
From the press service of Audi Motorsport announced the debut of its hybrid car “more successful”. The car won the pole position and dominated the first half of the race. The hybrid would probably have won, but played a crucial role courageous decision of former F1 driver Marc Gene. The Spaniard drove one version “ultra” and decided to change your tires for dry weather, while the track was still raining, though weak. The risk was justified and diesel Audi crossed the finish line first.
According to the head of the sports division Audi - Wolfgang Ullrich, namely R18 e-tron quattro is the most ambitious project of Audi Sport in its 30-year history. According to him, this car can achieve the same success that the team registered cars with company TFSI engines and TDI.
R18 has a hybrid diesel V6 TDI, which transmits torque to the rear wheels and an electric system with the kinetic energy recovery (KERS), which drives the front axle. However, the machine has four-wheel drive, no mechanical link between the front and rear axle. To meet their timing electronics. This drive system is called e-tron quattro.
The start of the season ahead after a prototype little more than a month. On 16-17 June will present Audi Motorsport R18 e-tron quattro race in the legendary “24 Hours of Le Mans.” The big competitor to the Germans, in the absence of the factory team of Peugeot, will be a hybrid Toyota TS030 Hybrid.