Evolution of a revolution
The Audi R18 e-tron quattro only starts its second race season in 2013 – but it is already a legend: exactly like the Audi R10 TDI, the first hybrid racecar to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans was voted by an Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) jury to be one of the most important Le Mans racecars of all time.
Through the intelligent combination of a conventionally powered rear axle with an electrically powered front axle the Audi R18 is transformed into an e-tron quattro – the first Audi racecar which is not powered exclusively by a combustion engine. The system located in the front of the car comprises of two driveshafts and a Motor Generator Unit (MGU) together with planetary gearbox, which retrieves its own energy from the electric flywheel accumulator mounted alongside the driver in the cockpit.
The energy is recuperated and stored during braking. In the process, the front wheels drive the Motor Generator Unit. This accelerates electrically a carbon-fiber flywheel, which runs in a high vacuum. Once the corner is taken and the driver accelerates again, the system delivers the energy to the front axle – but as the regulations state, however, only above a speed of 120 km/h.
Technical data Audi R18 e-tron quattro (2013)
Version: February 2013
Vehicle
| Vehicle type | Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) |
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| Monocoque | Carbon-fiber composite with aluminum honeycomb, tested according to the stringent FIA crash and safety standards |
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| Battery | Lithium-ion battery |
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Engine
| Engine | Turbocharged V6 engine, 120-degree cylinder angle, 4 valves per cylinder, DOHC, 1 Garrett turbocharger, mandatory intake air restrictor with 1 x 45.1 mm diameter, turbo boost pressure limited to 2.8 bar absolute, TDI diesel direct injection, fully stressed aluminum cylinder block-crankcase |
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| Electronics | Bosch MS 24 |
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| Engine lubrication | Dry sump, Castrol |
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| Displacement | 3,700 cc |
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| Power output | Over 360 kW (490 hp) |
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| Torque | Over 850 Nm |
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Hybrid system
| Accumulator type | Electric flywheel accumulator, max 500 kJ, WHP |
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| Motor-generator unit | MGU on the 0000front axle, water-cooled with integrated power electronics, 2 x 80 kW |
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Drive / transmission
| Type of drive | Rear-wheel drive, traction control (ASR), e-tron quattro four-wheel drive from 120 km/h |
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| Clutch | CFRP clutch |
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| Transmission | Sequential, electrically operated 6-speed sport gearbox |
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| Differential | Limited-slip rear differential |
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| Transmission housing | CFRP with titanium inserts |
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| Drive shafts | Constant velocity sliding tripod universal joints |
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Suspension / steering / brakes
| Steering | Electrical assisted rack and pinion steering |
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| Suspension | Front and rear double-wishbone independent suspension, front push rod system and rear pull rod system with adjustable dampers |
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| Brakes | Hydraulic-dual-circuit braking system, mono-block light alloy brake calipers, ventilated carbon fiber disk brakes front and rear, infinitely manually adjustable front and rear brake balance |
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| Wheels | O.Z. magnesium forged wheels |
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| Tires | Michelin Radial, front: 360/710-18; rear: 370/710-18 |
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Weight / dimensions
| Length | 4,650 mm |
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| Width | 2,000 mm |
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| Height | 1,030 mm |
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| Minimum weight | 915 kg |
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| Fuel tank capacity | 58 l |
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