Audi betting on efficiency for Le Mans

At this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans Audi be fighting for victory with the evolution of the R15 TDI diesel sports car. The revised LMP1 is starting an extensive testing program in the United States.

Efficency was the main objective during the R15 TDI evolution project – particularly in the complex area of aerodynamics. According to Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport "This year, the Le Mans regulations prescribe air restrictors with a smaller diameter and reduced supercharging pressure for diesel-powered vehicles". He adds, "Due to the reduction of engine power as a result of the regulations we have tried to make the car’s aerodynamics even more efficient than before and to improve the Cd value and downforce parameters."

The V10 TDI engine also suffered some modifications to cope with the smaller air restrictors and reduced supercharging pressure. Audi’s objective was to keep power loss to a minimum. The result: R15 TDI’s 5.5-liter power plant continues to deliver more than 440 kW.

With efficiency and reliability on top of the priorities for the 2010 car, Audi also focused on details such as the improvement of nighttime lighting of the track. To do so they developed a new headlight concept.

Having completed its first tests in Neustadt, the evolution version of the Audi R15 TDI is now heading to the United States for two weeks of in-depth testing. The R15 TDI will then be making extensive testing program on various European race tracks and test races at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet (France) on April 11 and at the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 9, before racing the 24 Hour of Le Mans on the 12/13 of June.