Audi R18
The Audi R18 is a Le Mans Prototype (LMP) racing car constructed by the German car manufacturer Audi AG. It is the successor to the Audi R15 TDI. Like its predecessor, the R18 uses a TDI turbocharged diesel engine but with a reduced capacity of 3.7 litres and in a V6 configuration. For the first time since the 1999 R8C, the Audi Le Mans prototype used a closed cockpit design. The R18 is also the first racing car from Audi to feature hybrid power.
The Audi R18 at the 2016 Paris Motor Show. | |||||||||
| Category | LMP1 (Audi R18 TDI) LMP1-H (Audi R18 e-tron quattro) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Audi (Dallara, YCOM) | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Christopher Reinke (Technical Project Leader) Wolfgang Appel (Head of Vehicle Development) Martin Mühlmeier (Head of Technology) Ulrich Baretzky (Head of Engine Development) | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Audi R15 TDI | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Audi Sport Team Joest Audi Sport North America | ||||||||
| Debut | 2011 1000 km Spa | ||||||||
| First win | 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans | ||||||||
| Last win | 2016 6 Hours of Bahrain | ||||||||
| Last event | 2016 6 Hours of Bahrain | ||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 2 (2012 FIA WEC, 2013 FIA WEC) | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 2 (2012 FIA WEC, 2013 FIA WEC) | ||||||||
Although Audi have previously given each new developed model of endurance racing car a distinct model number, the head of Audi Sport, Wolfgang Ullrich, suggested the R18 designation for Audi endurance racing cars could be used for the foreseeable future. There were five further evolutions of R18 until Audi quit the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2016.