Audi R18 Gets New Generation, Keeps Same Name

has unveiled its 2014 World Endurance Championship racer, and despite the major change in rules, the car does not look that much different on the outside and keeps the same R18 E-Tron QuattroAudi R18 e-tron quattroGermany, 2012 > present8 photos
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moniker. 

The 2014 E-Tron Quattro is still very much a mystery. Audi has only released a single image of the car. From the front, the nose appears narrower, and it now has two strips of LED headlights, rather than an integrated setup before. Audi claims that the car has been totally changed, but it is hard to tell from the exterior.

The car will be testing this week in Florida at Sebring.

“We’ve reached a crucial stage in this project. After building the first prototype, testing on various racetracks is now taking center-stage. The tests are mainly focused on achieving high mileage, coordinating the highly complex hybrid drive systems and working out an efficiency-optimized total package that has never before been as complex as this one," said Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, head of Audi Motorsport.

Audi is promising more details about the car before the end of September. Hopefully, we will find out if the car is still using the same diesel V6 as before or if the change in rules as brought an engine change as well. As with all factory-entered LMP1 cars in 2014, the car must use some form of a hybrid powertrain. 

Since being introduced for the 2011 season, the R18Audi R18Germany, 2011 > present4 versions
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has won the 24 Hours of Le Mans three times consecutively and won the drivers' and manufacturers' championships in 2012 and 2013. 

You can compare all four generations in the slideshow below.

Audi R18 (Fourth Generation)

We do not know much about the fourth iteration of the R18 yet. Audi has only revealed the front so far. The front end appears narrower, and the headlights are split into two rows of LEDs. 

Audi R18 (Third Generation)

The 2013 upgrade to the R18 E-Tron Quattro was minor compared to 2012. The biggest change was at the rear with the addition of a rear-facing camera and double-upright rear wing. 

Audi R18 (Second Generation)

The R18 E-Tron Quattro and briefly non-hybrid R18 Ultra went racing in 2012. The E-Tron Quattro used a flywheel hybrid powertrain at the front wheels at speeds above 120km/h (75mph). The cars took first, second and third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Audi R18 (First Generation)

First introduced in December 2010, the original R18 went racing for the 2011 season. It used a 3.7-liter, diesel V6. Unlike the previous R15 and R10, the R18 was a coupe, rather than an open car.

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