Audi's New 2016 R18 LMP1 Prototype Is Here And It Looks Mean As Hell
Audi has taken the covers off its new 2016 R18 LMP1 prototype, which takes a step up in hybrid energy and features a number of aggressive-looking aero changes.
The German manufacturer unveiled the car on Saturday evening. It is quite a looker, isn’t it? The latest turbodiesel Audi LMP1 racer continues with the R18 e-tron quattro name and will run in the six megajoule hybrid FIA World Endurance Championship sub-class.
Audi’s prototype raced in the 4MJ category this season. It has abandoned the flywheel hybrid system in favour of a lithium-ion battery, which is the same technology used by rivals Porsche, and will continue to run a 4.0-litre V6 turbodiesel engine.
The changes under the bodywork should help level out the playing field under the energy-based LMP1 rules introduced in 2014, with 8MJ petrol cars - the category Porsche and Toyota run in - being the equivalent of 6MJ turbodiesels.
The aggressive-looking LMP1 machine will hit the track for the first time at the start of December, with testing taking place at the Sebring circuit.
Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said:
“With our new Audi R18, we’re setting a clear signal: Audi continues to put the pedal to the metal in motorsport, deliberately relying on TDI - the world’s most successful automotive efficiency technology - at the Le Mans 24 Hours.”
Meanwhile it was confirmed at the launch that Audi and Porsche will cut back to both running two cars at the iconic Le Mans, with the former saying its 2015 driver line-up will remain unchanged.
Comments
I don’t know why, but that front looks like this to me… maybe they designed it so it will have a proper face when Porsche kicks it’s arse
i can’t unsee it now
It’s absolutely hideous
In fact it’s so ugly that i like it
I don’t get why so many people are hating it, I think it looks brilliant. And at the end of the day it’s not about looks, it’s about performance! To do both is just a bonus! Eh… Haters gonna hate. I just can’t wait to see it on the track.
It might be neither :P It was strong, but failed. Looking at the early release, no real changes, abandonment of flywheel energy storing they might be just looking for a decent, but not podium finish. Sad thing is, that innvation is held down from development.
Front looks like a 2011 F1 car with wheels protection.
Thought it was an F1 car for a second.
God its ugly
I’m sure it was designed with ambition to be seen with its full beams on tailgating other le man racers as close as possible
These cars get cooler and cooler and uglier and uglier. The front looks good from straight on, but from the side it looks so odd.
function over form
Is it FWD?
The front is so square it looks like a LEGO car.
You mean, like this?
“TDI - the world’s most successful automotive efficiency technology”
More than 5 le mans owned
10 victories of 11 years.
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