Audi tests next generation R18 Evolution in US

On March 25th, Audi unveiled its new Le Mans challenger – the R18 Evolution 2 – for four days of intensive testing at a Florida proving ground. Whilst the two Audi R15++ had to settle for fourth and fifth in the gruelling 12 hours of Sebring, Audi concentrated on using the four day weekend to comprehensively test the Evolution 2 with all ten Audi racing drivers.

Hoped to bring Audi a tenth Le Mans victory, the Evolution 2 offers a dramatic change to previous Audi endurance racers. Not only does the R18 use four fewer cylinders than its immediate predecessor, the V10-powered R15, the new car favours a closed cockpit over the open layout of Audi racers before it.

Not only that, but the R18 is also the first Le Mans prototype to full-LED headlights, four years after Audi was first to introduce the same technique in the R8 road car. With the R18, Audi has taken advantage of the versatile lighting arrangements LEDs can offer in order to create a distinctive number one in the new racer’s headlights.

The Evolution 2 is itself a development of the earlier R18 concept, with alterations made due to earlier test drives and wind tunnel testing. These developments are hoped to have yielded greater aerodynamic efficiency and improved cooling for the new V6 TDI engine.

In Florida, Audi chose to test two R18 Evolution 2s, chassis numbers 101 and 102, against an R15 control vehicle. Audi completed thousands of test kilometres over the long weekend and claim to have made improvements to reliability, cooling, tyres, aerodynamics and vehicle set-up.

Following the test, the two R18s have been flown back to Audi Sport headquarters in Ingolstadt, where they will be dismantled and thoroughly analysed prior to the unveiling of the Le Mans-spec R18 at the 24-hour test day on 24th April 2011.

Following this, Audi Sport is set to field RI8s at May 7’s Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps before competing the season’s most prolific race – the Le Mans 24 Hours – over the 11th and 12th June.