This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Marc Lacoste (talk | contribs) at 15:41, 13 December 2005 (weight, official page and press release links). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 15:41, 13 December 2005 by Marc Lacoste (talk | contribs) (weight, official page and press release links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)The Audi R10 is a sports-racing car prepared for sports car racing in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans 24 Hours. The car was unveiled the 13 december 2005 at 12h00 CET and should begin at the 2006 Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring.
It supersedes the previous Audi R8, a very successful model wich wins five times Le Mans since 1999. In later years the ACO has reduced the restrictor size on the engine, and stipulated the R8 carry ballast, to make the races more competitive. In response to the new level of competition, the development of a successor was neccessary.
Bearing a strong resemblance with the previous model, it is nevertheless a new design. The aerodynamic package is in compliance with the new regulations, a second rollover cage is added and the wheelbase is lenghtened to accept a longer engine than the 3.4L turbo V8.
Because the main novelty is the R10's engine: a TDI turbodiesel. It is a 5.5 liters all aluminium biturbo 90°V12, with common rail direct injection of more than 1600 bars. Its output should be 650 horsepower (regulated) and 1,100 Newton-meters of torque, and its usable power band is between 3000 and 5000 rpm. Its benefits are a broad range of usable power, its high torque and economy. Two Garrett turbocharges limited by the regulations to 2.94 bars absolute breath through two 39.9 mm air intake restrictors. It uses the latest Bosch Motronic (MS14) management, and makes a low noise for a race car.
It will be difficult for Audi to overcome the weight of this engine. The latest Audi TDI 3L V6 weights 220 kg and the 4.2L V8 255 kg but their blocks are made of CGI iron. A bigger 12 cylinder, even with an aluminium block should be between the V8's 255 kg and 440 kg of two V6. This is unfavorable against the 130 kg of a concurent Judd V10.
This choice emphasizes the TDI (and concurence) commercial success on Europe's roads. It isn't the first diesel raced at Le Mans, in 2004 a lola-caterpillar (with a rebadged VW V10 TDI) run few hours before broking its gearbox, the volkswagen group itself races a diesel Race Touareg at the Paris Dakar Rally and BMW had successfully raced diesel touring cars at the Nürburgring. The R10 will compete with Peugeot's new Diesel effort in 2007.
External links
- Official Audi R10 Page, with the 13th december Paris presentation in video
- Official press release via Planetlemans.com, Tuesday, 13 December 2005, with more images
