"With the R18 TDI every component was optimized logically with regard to weight," stresses Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. "The same applied to the chassis and the bodywork, the gearbox and the engine. We scoured the car for every superfluous gram."
The carbon monocoque produced in a single-piece, for which a highly complex manufacturing process was developed and which is an impressive proof of the company’s lightweight design expertise, is not only revolutionary for a Le Mans sports car.
The same applies for the bodywork which was lightened by 40 kilograms between the first and second version.
The V6 TDI engine in the R18 TDI is about 25 percent lighter than the V10 TDI powerplant of the R15.
The new six-speed gearbox, which has a high amount of carbon fibre composite material features a gear shifting that is no longer pneumatically but rather electrically activated.
The carbon monocoque produced in a single-piece, for which a highly complex manufacturing process was developed and which is an impressive proof of the company’s lightweight design expertise, is not only revolutionary for a Le Mans sports car.
The same applies for the bodywork which was lightened by 40 kilograms between the first and second version.
The V6 TDI engine in the R18 TDI is about 25 percent lighter than the V10 TDI powerplant of the R15.
The new six-speed gearbox, which has a high amount of carbon fibre composite material features a gear shifting that is no longer pneumatically but rather electrically activated.
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| Photo: Audi |