New Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro Revealed

Audi has revealed the latest version of its hybrid race car.

The R18 E-Tron has been heavily revised for the 2015 race season and is now more efficient and aerodynamic. Now entered in the four-megajoule class in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the R18 is looking to defend its title at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans, where Audi has won since 2012.

New style is found on the car, designed to conduct airlfow around and through the front end better. Large air intakes on the front wheel arches that reduce drag have resulted in a new design for the Matrix LED headlights, which use technology from Audi’s laserlights. New crash tests also resulted in design changes, namely on the hood, front wing and wheel arches.

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Audi designed two different body versions of the R18 for 2015 and will switch between them based on the characteristics of the race track.

Hybrid power has been cranked up on the car, from 2 to 4 megajoules per race lap at Le Mans this year. This is made possible by an improved kinetic energy recovery system, which builds up energy during braking and feeds it back to the front axle. The motor that sends that power now delivers 272 hp, a big jump over last year’s car. Storage is improved as well, a full 17 percent better than in 2014.

The increase in hybrid power forced Audi to dial back power from the four-liter V6 TDi engine, cutting output by 2.5 percent to sit at 558 hp.

Despite all of these revisions, Audi kept the car at its minimum allowed weight of 870 kilograms (1,918 lbs).

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