Audi R18 e-tron Quattro Hybrid

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro Hybrid
This is the car that dominated the endurance racing series in 2012 and is well on its way to continuing its winning ways in 2013.  Major wins in 2012 included the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the 6 Hours of Silverstone,  the 6 Hours of Bahrain, and the 12 Hours of Sebring.

R18 e-tron Quattros took the top two positions at the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16, 2013.  The 6 Hours of Silverstone is coming up on April 14, 2013 in the UK (Update: Audi R18 e-tron Quattros took the top two spots on the podium at Silverstone 2013) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans is on June 22 - 23, 2013.  Team Audi is the acknowledged favorite going into these events, but of course in racing, anything can happen.

Powered by a 3.7 liter V6 TDI diesel engine, with a partially electrified hybrid drive utilizing a carbon fiber flywheel energy recovery and storage system, the car is a tour de force of automotive engineering and design.

A brief comment about the computer animation video above: I think the quality of the model is just fantastic!  I like the way they abstracted the Le Mans race course to simplify the background and put the focus on the car itself.  Given the detail of the computer rendering, I wonder if they had built up a complete 3-D computer model of the car, including all the internal components.  I would be interested to see that if they did.

Here is a clip of the car testing at Monza, Italy - April 2013.  This is the latest 2013 "Long-tail" version that will be raced at Le Mans in June.  Love the sound of this thing!

Technical data Audi R18 e-tron quattro (2012)
Version: February 2012

Vehicle

Vehicle type	Le Mans Prototype (LMP1)
Monocoque	Carbon-fiber composite with aluminum honeycomb, tested according to the strict FIA crash and safety standards
Battery	Lithium ion batteries

Engine

Engine	Turbocharged 120° V6, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC, 1 Garrett turbocharger, mandatory intake air restrictor of 1 x 45.8 mm diameter and turbo boost pressure limited to 2.8 bar absolute, diesel direct injection TDI Fully stressed aluminum cylinder block, diesel particle filter
Engine management	Bosch MS24
Engine lubrication	Dry sump, Castrol
Displacement	3.700 cc
Power	Over 375 kW / 510 hp
Torque	Over 850 Nm

Hybrid system

Type of accumulator	Electric flywheel accumulator, max 500 KJ
Motor Generator Unit (MGU)	MGU on the front axle, water cooled with integrated power electronics, 2 x 75 kW

Drive / transmission

Type of drive	Rear wheel drive, traction control (ASR), four-wheel drive e-tron quattro from 120 km/h*
Clutch	Carbon clutch
Gearbox	Sequential, electrically activated 6-speed racing gearbox
Differential	Limited-slip rear differential
Gearbox housing	Carbon-fiber composite with titanium inserts
Driveshafts	Constant velocity sliding tripod universal joints

Suspension / steering / brakes

Steering	Electrical assisted rack and pinion steering
Suspension	Front and rear double wishbone independent suspension, front pushrod system and rear pull rod system with adjustable dampers
Brakes	Hydraulic dual circuit brake system, monobloc light alloy brake calipers, ventilated carbon disc brakes front and rear, infinitely manually adjustable front and rear brake balance,
Wheels	O.Z. magnesium forged wheels
Tires	Michelin Radial, Front: 360/710-18, rear: 370/710-18

Weight / dimensions

Length	4.650 mm
Width	2.000 mm
Height	1.030 mm
Minimum weight	900 kg
Fuel tank capacity	58 liters