Performance enthustiasts and Audi fanatics in India are set for a treat at the fast approaching Auto Expo 2014, as the new Audi R18 e-tron quattro India debut will happen at this upcoming motor show.
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The Audi R18 e-tron quattro, the winner of the 2012 24 Hours of Le Mans, follows a concept all of its own. The hybrid drive of the LMP1 prototype is designed for motor sport conditions – the most intensive test environment for production development. Audi was the first Le Mans participant to win with a hybrid drive system and made motorsport history with the first victory of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro in 2012.
The 2014-generation Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the most complex race car ever built by Audi. At first glance, the new hybrid sports car appears much likethe World Championship winning car and Le Mans winner of the past two years. However, due to the new LMP1 regulations that will come into effect in 2014, Audi Sport factually redeveloped every single component.
“The next Audi R18 e-tron quattro represents a completely new generation of Le Mans prototypes,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The principles of the LMP1 regulations have fundamentally changed. The idea behind this is to achieve similarly fast lap times as in the past with considerably less energy. Making more out of less: a forward-thinking approach.”
Chris Reinke, Head of LMP at Audi Sport, talks about a ‘revolution in thinking.’ “A fundamental approach to motorsport is being abandoned. Instead of power output, energy consumption will be subject to limitations – this is in line with the spirit of our times and opens up great technical freedoms to the engineers. In 2014, we’ll be seeing a wide variety of concepts on the grid at Le Mans.”