Audi reveals new R18 spec and liveryposted in LMANS22 | 03 | 2016
AUDI HAS REVEALED the colour scheme which will bedeck its new R18 e-tron quattro in this year's World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24-Hours. The livery is different from when the car was first shown on its launch late last November.
The car, which will take part in the official WEC pre-season test at Paul Ricard in France on Friday and Saturday, also moves up on hybrid sub-class from four to six megajoules, retrieves energy only from the front axle.
Audi's decision coincides with the switch from the flywheel energy storage system of previous R18 hybrids to the same lithium-ion battery technology with which Porsche won last year's WEC and the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Related: Audi reveals new SQ7
Described as an all-new race car by Audi, the 2016 racer include what it labels as "fundamentally new" aerodynamic concept characterised by the raised nose. The car also gets a new monocoque, four-litre turbo-diesel V6 engine and transmission, the latter switching from seven-speeds to six in order to save weight.
"It is a brand new car from the monocoque to the hybrid system to the engine," Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said. ""Everything is new and focussed on being competitive and more efficient."
Audi will run an unchanged driver line-up for its 2016 programme, which will not include a third car at Le Mans.
Andre Lotterer, Benoit Treluyer and Marcel Fassler will race one entry, with Loic Duval, Lucas di Grassi and Brit Oliver Jarvis in the other.
Related: Ford names Marino Franchitti's LM24 team-mates
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Jim McGill