New Audi R18 e-tron quattro made even more efficient

Audi is starting the 2015 season with a thoroughly revised R18 e-tron quattro. In the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and in the Le Mans 24 Hours as the season’s pinnacle event, Audi is going to compete with a hybrid sports car in the 4-megajoule class.

A two-fold quantity of hybrid energy, fundamentally revised aerodynamics, the next step in lightweight design, and a lot of detailed work characterize the fifth generation of the Audi R18.

The new R18 visually differs from its predecessor, even though its basic structure is closely akin to the latter. The fresh look results from a new way of conducting airflow around and through the front end, in the area of the sidepods, and at the rear of the LMP1 prototype. Large air inlets in the front wheel arches reduce aerodynamic drag and have led to the headlights’ all-new design. The lighting units feature Matrix LED technology combined with Audi Laserlight—two innovations that improve active safety that Audi customers can now order for their production models as well.

While Audi has adopted the monocoque—the central safety cell of the race car—from the previous model, the hood with the front wing and wheel arches features a new design.

This year, Audi is again preparing two-body versions for the various tracks on the FIA WEC calendar. In combination with an optimized chassis and in close cooperation with tire partner Michelin, Audi has further improved the performance potential of its sports prototype this way.

Audi is taking the next step in the area of energy recovery as well. The company is the only manufacturer to date to have won the Le Mans 24 Hours with hybrid sports cars.