Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Audi reinvents the rearview mirror for its Le Mans racers]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/audi-reinvents-the-rearview-mirror-for-its-le-mans-racers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/audi-reinvents-the-rearview-mirror-for-its-le-mans-racers/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/audi-reinvents-the-rearview-mirror-for-its-le-mans-racers/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi R18 rear-view camera system

Every year at every auto show we see concept cars that envision replacing the rearview mirrors with digital cameras. They're usually the exterior mirrors and not the central one above the windshield, but whatever the case, and however much sense they seem to make, government regulations prevent them from being put into production. But Audi has found another use for the idea: its racing cars.

The latest R18 Le Mans prototype features, among other more considerable advancements, an AMOLED screen in the closed cockpit that's hooked up to a video camera, housed in carbon fiber and protruding ever so slightly from the tail fin. The system allows the drivers - who are put under enormous strain over the course of an endurance race - to clearly see the traffic coming up behind (or that they've just passed), which is apparently of great benefit considering that these mid-engined, closed-cockpit LMPs have no room for a rear window through which a conventional mirror would peer.

While they were at it, Audi moved the gear indicator, some warning lights and the tire slip gauge to the high-mounted central display. The side mirrors are still there on the outside, so the system doesn't eliminate that drag (for now), but it operates independent of the sight-limiting vibrations that can occur at the high speeds an LMP can reach, and of the weather conditions that can cause reduced visibility from spray in the wet.

Though it may take some time, if Audi wins on Sunday, it could end up selling this technology in its road cars on Monday.

Continue reading Audi reinvents the rearview mirror for its Le Mans racers

Audi reinvents the rearview mirror for its Le Mans racers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amoledaudiaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 tdiaudi sportcameradisplayle mansle mans prototypeoledr18rear view mirrorrear-view mirrorFri, 25 May 2012 18:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20244655/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/25/audi-reinvents-the-rearview-mirror-for-its-le-mans-racers/20244655/article-detail.xml 20244655 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-mirror-screen_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/audi-mirror-screen.jpg <![CDATA[Panoz wants to race fields of DeltaWings in American Le Mans Series]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/panoz-wants-to-race-fields-of-deltawings-in-american-le-mans-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/panoz-wants-to-race-fields-of-deltawings-in-american-le-mans-ser/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/25/panoz-wants-to-race-fields-of-deltawings-in-american-le-mans-ser/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Nissan DeltaWing

In pretty much any racing series you go to, the cars tend to progress in an evolutionary, not revolutionary fashion. This year's crop of Formula One cars, for example, may have those ungainly stepped noses, but they otherwise look pretty much the same as last year's cars, which looked mostly the same as the cars the year before and the year before that, and so on and so forth. The same could be generally said of Indy, Le Mans prototypes...even stock cars. The DeltaWing project, however, is another story altogether.

Designed and developed by an alliance of some of the biggest names in racing and recently backed by Nissan, the DeltaWing represents a comprehensive rethink of what form a race car can and should take. The idea was originally fielded as a proposal for the new IndyCar chassis, but that series' organizers went once again for something much more conventional. So the brain trust behind the project adapted it for endurance racing and are taking it to Le Mans this year.

But surely they didn't put all that work into it just to race it once - outside the classifications as a demonstration only - did they? Not if Don Panoz has anything to say about it. One of the partners in the DeltaWing project and the father of the racing car manufacturer that bears his name, Panoz hopes to find a way to race the DeltaWing in the American Le Mans Series which he essentially founded.

A way to equalize its performance with either the LMP1 or LMP2 classes would need to be found with the IMSA and the FIA, but considering how it was adapted from an IndyCar proposal to a Le Mans racer, the platform seems pretty flexible. But Panoz doesn't want to race just one. Sure, a solitary entry in the full ALMS calendar would be a great start, but Panoz reportedly envisions assembling a quantity of DeltaWings at his factory in Georgia that has over the years built cars for Indy, Champ Cars, Superleague Formula and of course Le Mans and the American Le Mans Series.

Just how many remains to be seen, but with powerhouses like Panoz, Nissan, Highcroft, Chip Ganassi and Dan Gurney on board, we would be very surprised if the DeltaWing ran just the once.

Panoz wants to race fields of DeltaWings in American Le Mans Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 May 2012 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>almsamerican le mans seriesdelta wingdeltawingle mansnissannissan deltawingpanozFri, 25 May 2012 16:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20243688/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/25/panoz-wants-to-race-fields-of-deltawings-in-american-le-mans-ser/20243688/article-detail.xml 20243688 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/02nissandeltawinglaun_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/02nissandeltawinglaun.jpg <![CDATA[Artist claims work censored at Transmission LA because of Mercedes-Benz *UPDATE]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Transmission LAArtist Chris Silva has a bone to pick with the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Silva was invited to participate in a show curated by Mike D of the Beastie Boys last month, wherein artists were asked to bring their own projector to display art on the museum's walls. Silva opted to shine a 3D wire model of a Peugeot prototype Le Mans racer vertically. After the race car spent a bit of time shining brightly, Silva came back to his projector to see a note card taped over the lens. When he removed the card, an event organizer told him he would have to remove his image because the show's sponsor found it offensive.

The "Transmission LA" was sponsored by none other than Mercedes-Benz. Silva claims that when he asked to speak with a Mercedes representative, he was denied after being told, "they are pissed." Silva has a history of using automotive imagery in his art, including Mercedes-Benz wheels. Not anymore, he says. The artist says the experience won't so much change his art as "my opinion of the materials I work with."

*UPDATE: Mercedes-Benz has informed us it was a third-party, not the automaker itself that interfered with Silva's work. The company says the unnamed party did not have the authority to ask the artist to remove his piece, nor did he speak directly with Mercedes-Benz during the show.

Artist claims work censored at Transmission LA because of Mercedes-Benz *UPDATE originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beastie boyschris silvale mansmercedes-benzmike dpeugeottransmission laThu, 24 May 2012 07:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20241633/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/24/artist-claims-work-censored-at-transmission-la-because-of-merced/20241633/article-detail.xml 20241633 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/transmission-la-250_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/transmission-la-250.jpg <![CDATA[Bentley returning to 24 Hours of Le Mans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bentley-returning-to-24-hours-of-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bentley-returning-to-24-hours-of-le-mans/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/04/bentley-returning-to-24-hours-of-le-mans/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Bentley at Le Mans

AutoWeek reports Bentley is slowly building a team for the brand's return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The automaker has hired Graham Humphrys as a consultant. Humphrys penned the BMW V12 LMR that took the win at the 1999 Le Mans, and he's now tasked with heading up a feasibility study for the British luxury manufacturer.

According to Brian Gush, chassis and powertrain director for Bentley, the automaker is currently exploring which class would best suit the company. Humphrys' 30 years of racing experience, including roles on vehicles like the March 82G Group C car, and with companies like Aston Martin and Spice Engineering, should prove instrumental in narrowing down the field.

In the past, Gush has hinted that Bentley would be at home in the GT class, speciffically in the GT3 category. If true, the company will likely campaign a version of the current Continental Supersports, though the automaker could just as easily wait for the next-generation Continental before jumping into the Le Mans fray. AutoWeek says there's no time table for the manufacturer's return at the moment.

Bentley returning to 24 Hours of Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 May 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansbentleybentley le mansbrian gushgraham humphrysle mansFri, 04 May 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20230870/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/05/04/bentley-returning-to-24-hours-of-le-mans/20230870/article-detail.xml 20230870 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bentley-at-le-mans-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/05/bentley-at-le-mans-628.jpg <![CDATA[Audi releases first <i>Truth in 24 II</i> trailer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/audi-releases-first-truth-in-24-ii-trailer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/audi-releases-first-truth-in-24-ii-trailer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/27/audi-releases-first-truth-in-24-ii-trailer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Truth in 24 II Trailer

Three years ago, Audi released the documentary Truth in 24 highlighting its three-car effort at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Despite the Four Ring's success at the race in the last decade, they were undoubtedly the underdogs to the much faster Peugeot teams that year, making for a Hollywood-like ending when Audi managed to take home the victory with teamwork and a little help from the weather.

The first film was such a success that Audi announced earlier this year that they would release Truth in 24 II, once again featuring their three-car team battling Peugeot at the world's most famous endurance race. We're fully expecting the film to be packed with drama, as last year's 24 Hours of Le Mans was one of the most action-packed and closest races of all time. Two bad crashes ended the race for two of the Audi teams, leaving a single R18 TDI to battle the Peugeots.

Sadly, with Peugeot having pulled out of the sport quite suddenly in January, it will also be the last such battle at Le Mans for the foreseeable future - all the more reason to watch the documentary when it comes out in a few weeks. For now we just have the trailer, which you can watch by scrolling below.

Continue reading Audi releases first Truth in 24 II trailer

Audi releases first Truth in 24 II trailer originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Apr 2012 12:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansaudiaudi documentarydocumentaryle manspeugeottrailertruth in 24truth in 24 iitruth in 24 ii trailertruth in 24 trailervideoFri, 27 Apr 2012 12:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20225299/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/27/audi-releases-first-truth-in-24-ii-trailer/20225299/article-detail.xml 20225299 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/truth-in-24-ii-trailer_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/truth-in-24-ii-trailer.jpg <![CDATA[SPEED inks multi-year deal to keep 24 Hours of Le Mans broadcast]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/#commentsFiled under:

Speed TV logoSpeedTV has piped Le Mans racing action to American television sets since 1995, and with the signing of a new multi-year television deal, the annual Frankish displays of 24-hour madness will continue to have a home on the cable network. The length of the deal wasn't disclosed, but it does include expanded digital rights, which we'll hope is network code for "live streaming." Now you know where to turn on June 16.

And in case you didn't know, the channel also signed a deal with World Rally Championship for 30-minute recaps of each day's action this year, starting with this weekend's Rally Argentina. It will also be covering the MotoGP race in Spain this weekend and live-streaming qualifying on Speed2. So double hurray and yay for SpeedTV emerging yet further from its NASCAR shell.

SPEED inks multi-year deal to keep 24 Hours of Le Mans broadcast originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mansle mansmoto gpmotogpmotorsportsspeedtvworld rally championshipwrcThu, 26 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20224545/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/26/speed-inks-multi-year-deal-to-keep-24-hours-of-le-mans-broadcast/20224545/article-detail.xml 20224545 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/speed-tv-emblem_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/speed-tv-emblem.jpg <![CDATA[Audi Sport scoops up ex-Peugeot driver Marc Gené for reserve role]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/audi-sport-scoops-up-ex-peugeot-driver-marc-gene-for-reserve-rol/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/audi-sport-scoops-up-ex-peugeot-driver-marc-gene-for-reserve-rol/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/20/audi-sport-scoops-up-ex-peugeot-driver-marc-gene-for-reserve-rol/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Marc GenéWhen a major automaker shuts down its racing program like Peugeot did at Le Mans, it leaves a big gaping hole for everyone involved. The French automaker's departure from endurance racing left the series organizers scrambling for another team to take its place just as it was preparing to inaugurate the new FIA World Endurance Championship. It left Audi - the Diane Sawyer of Le Mans racing, to borrow an analogy from Talladega Nights - without its Katie Couric. And arguably most of all, it left Peugeot's roster of highly skilled drivers without a ride.

Easily among the most talented of these drivers is Marc Gené, the driver who helped Peugeot clinch the checkered flag at La Sarthe in 2009. A longtime factory test driver for Ferrari (and one time grand prix driver for Minardi and Willaims), Gené has a wealth of experience that couldn't very well be left untapped. So it should come as little surprise that Audi has scooped him up.

Although the German automaker already has a full roster of pilots - proven race winners, no less - at its disposal, it has found room for Gené as a reserve driver. In this capacity Gené will be filling in for an uninjured Timo Bernhard to drive the #3 Audi R18 Ultra together with French drivers Romain Dumas and Loïc Duval at Spa-Francorchamps in just a couple of weeks, and will undoubtedly be on hand to jump into the cockpit at Le Mans in June should duty call.

Continue reading Audi Sport scoops up ex-Peugeot driver Marc Gené for reserve role

Audi Sport scoops up ex-Peugeot driver Marc Gené for reserve role originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r18audi r18 ultraaudi sportfia wecfia world endurance championshipgenégenele mansmarc genémarc genepeugeotr18spaspa-francorchampswecworld endurance championshipFri, 20 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20217935/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/20/audi-sport-scoops-up-ex-peugeot-driver-marc-gene-for-reserve-rol/20217935/article-detail.xml 20217935 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/marc-gene_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/marc-gene.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan launches new DeltaWing video series with wind tunnel teaser]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/nissan-launches-new-deltawing-video-series-with-wind-tunnel-teas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/nissan-launches-new-deltawing-video-series-with-wind-tunnel-teas/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/16/nissan-launches-new-deltawing-video-series-with-wind-tunnel-teas/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



We've seen the Nissan DeltaWing running shakedown laps, but now the bonanza of teaser vids will truly begin as the DeltaWing prepares in earnest for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Since it has shown it can actually handle a track at speed, the latest step in the process is to verify how it handles the wind.

Nissan Europe will be producing a video roughly every two weeks tracking the DeltaWing's evolution, and after the race Audi's sequel to Truth in 24 will be joined by a documentary on Nissan's isosceles racer. Scroll down for Nissan's take in words and video.

Continue reading Nissan launches new DeltaWing video series with wind tunnel teaser

Nissan launches new DeltaWing video series with wind tunnel teaser originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 hours of le mansdeltawingle mansnissannissan deltawingvideovideosyoutubeMon, 16 Apr 2012 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20216006/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/16/nissan-launches-new-deltawing-video-series-with-wind-tunnel-teas/20216006/article-detail.xml 20216006 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/deltawingwindtunnel_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/deltawingwindtunnel.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota pushes back TS030 race debut after test-session crash]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/toyota-pushes-back-ts030-race-debut-after-test-session-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/toyota-pushes-back-ts030-race-debut-after-test-session-crash/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/04/11/toyota-pushes-back-ts030-race-debut-after-test-session-crash/#commentsFiled under: ,

Toyota TS030 Hybrid racecar - rear three-quarter view on track

"Mentsch tracht, Gott lacht," goes the old Yiddish proverb. Man plans, God laughs. And that certainly applies to motor racing, where engineers, mechanics, strategists... entire teams spend day and night over the course of months preparing to campaign their new race car, only for it all to go horribly wrong at the last minute. And that's what the folks at Toyota Motorsport GmbH in Cologne, Germany, are apparently facing now.

After having their Formula One program shut down a couple of years ago by corporate headquarters, Toyota Motorsport has been hunting for a new project ever since. That new project turned out to be the TS030 Hybrid, an advanced Le Mans prototype which they've been gearing up to campaign in the new FIA World Endurance Championship and its headline event, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Only those plans were set back some - if not ground to a halt - last Wednesday when the only working example of the TS030 crashed while undergoing testing at the Paul Ricard circuit in the South of France.

In the statement after the jump, Toyota doesn't specify exactly what happened or who was driving at the time, but you can be sure he's feeling pretty morose right now, because the chassis was damaged so extensively that the team won't be able to repair it in time for the Six Hours of Spa where the car was supposed to make its race debut on May 5. Toyota does, however, expect to be up and running again in time for Le Mans in June, although whether that will leave the team with enough time to build the two cars it was expecting to field there or have to revert to a single entrant remains to be seen.

Continue reading Toyota pushes back TS030 race debut after test-session crash

Toyota pushes back TS030 race debut after test-session crash originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fia world endurance championshiple manspaul ricardtoyotatoyota motorsporttoyota racingtoyota ts030ts030ts030 hybridWed, 11 Apr 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20213304/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/04/11/toyota-pushes-back-ts030-race-debut-after-test-session-crash/20213304/article-detail.xml 20213304 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/05-toyota-ts030_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/04/05-toyota-ts030.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan backs DeltaWing racecar, headed for Le Mans [w/video]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/nissan-backs-deltawing-racecar-headed-for-le-mans-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/nissan-backs-deltawing-racecar-headed-for-le-mans-w-video/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/13/nissan-backs-deltawing-racecar-headed-for-le-mans-w-video/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,



The DeltaWing project now has two major corporate backers and, more importantly, an engine. Nissan and Michelin have signed on with the innovative project of designer Ben Bowlby, Dan Gurney's All-American Racers and Don Panoz. Now called the Nissan DeltaWing, the Japanese firm will provide a turbocharged, direct-injected 1.6-liter, four-cylinder with an output of around 300 horsepower. Known as DIG-T, the powerplant shares the same roots as the engine in the Nissan Juke.

That's about 200 hp down on the 510 horsepower developed by the diesel V6 in the Audi R18 e-tron Quattro and about half the horsepower developed by other LMP1 racers. However, Nissan says the engine is half the weight of a typical LMP1 motor, and paired with the DeltaWing's minimal aerodynamic drag, the lap times are said to be somewhere between those of the LMP1 and LMP2 classes. Why does this matter? Because Nissan and Co. are taking this needle-nosed baby to Le Mans.

Of call cars and classes, Nissan says this strangest looking effort is one that will "showcase the pioneering technology that will show one potential direction for the future of motorsport and will feed into the research and development of future technologies, that filter down to Nissan's road car product range."

The Nissan DeltaWing will be allowed to run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans following a special dispensation for an experimental car that doesn't follow any technical guidelines offered by ACO, the organizer of Le Mans. It will use Garage 56, it will wear Number 0, and won't be classified in the results. Even so, we'll be watching closely. Follow the jump for a video of the racecar's development and a press release detailing Nissan's involvement.

Continue reading Nissan backs DeltaWing racecar, headed for Le Mans [w/video]

Nissan backs DeltaWing racecar, headed for Le Mans [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Mar 2012 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mansben bowlbydan gurneydeltawingdon panozle manslemansnissannissan deltawingTue, 13 Mar 2012 11:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20192011/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/13/nissan-backs-deltawing-racecar-headed-for-le-mans-w-video/20192011/article-detail.xml 20192011 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/nissandeltawinglaun_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/nissandeltawinglaun.jpg <![CDATA[Audi celebrates return of Quattro to motorsports with another video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/10/audi-celebrates-return-of-quattro-to-motorsports-with-another-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/10/audi-celebrates-return-of-quattro-to-motorsports-with-another-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/10/audi-celebrates-return-of-quattro-to-motorsports-with-another-vi/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Audi R18

As Audi shows off the new R18 e-tron Quattro, it's proving that history can be fun. In a new video, the automaker traces the origins of its 2012 Le Mans entrant back to the original Quattro that abused the space-time continuum in Group B rallying.

This isn't exactly the true return of Quattro, however, since four-wheel drive isn't allowed in LMP1. However, according to Le Mans rules you can have "500kJ (approximately 70bhp) of stored energy to be transferred to the wheels between two braking 'events at speeds above 120km/h (75mph)."

That's where the R18 e-tron's regenerative braking steps up, its flywheel unleashing stored energy at the front axle. Check it out in the video after the jump.

Continue reading Audi celebrates return of Quattro to motorsports with another video

Audi celebrates return of Quattro to motorsports with another video originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Mar 2012 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mansaudiaudi r18 e-tronaudi r18 e-tron quattrole mansmotorsportsquattror18 e-tron quattroSat, 10 Mar 2012 20:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20189554/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/10/audi-celebrates-return-of-quattro-to-motorsports-with-another-vi/20189554/article-detail.xml 20189554 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/audir18vidquatt_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/audir18vidquatt.jpg <![CDATA[Morgan gives first look at LMP2 Le Mans racer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/morgan-gives-first-look-at-lmp2-le-mans-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/morgan-gives-first-look-at-lmp2-le-mans-racer/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/08/morgan-gives-first-look-at-lmp2-le-mans-racer/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Morgan LMP2 race car

Morgan and OAK Racing have put together a video to showcase the car that Morgan will be running at Le Mans this year in a jubilee celebration its GT2 class win in 1962. It's got just about everything you'd want from an LMP2 teaser: engine guts, carbon fiber, track time and roaring.

It might be missing an actual Morgan, though: the car is built by OAK's Onroak Automotive constructor division with a Pescarolo chassis and a Judd engine. When they're finished painting it, though, it will at least say "Morgan."

Even without the stickers, however, the video you'll see below is still totally worth it.

Continue reading Morgan gives first look at LMP2 Le Mans racer

Morgan gives first look at LMP2 Le Mans racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 Hours of Le Mansle manslmp2morganmorgan lmp2motorsportsoak racingThu, 08 Mar 2012 15:59:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20185815/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/08/morgan-gives-first-look-at-lmp2-le-mans-racer/20185815/article-detail.xml 20185815 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/morganlmp2vid_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/morganlmp2vid.jpg <![CDATA[Audi R18 e-tron Quattro debuts in motion]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-debuts-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-debuts-in-motion/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/02/audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-debuts-in-motion/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi R18 e-tron quattro reveal

The top class of endurance racing like what we see at Le Mans tends to follow trends. Open cockpits gave way to closed ones in LMP1 racers, but while diesel engines continue to dominate, we're now entering the age of hybrid prototypes.

Peugeot was said to be working on just such a powertrain for its 908 before suddenly shut down its program. Toyota is still developing its own version for the TS030 Hybrid. And now Audi has announced its title defender, the new R18 e-tron Quattro.

Unveiled yesterday, the R18 e-tron Quattro takes the same form as the conventionally powered R18 Ultra, but with one important difference: its TDI diesel engine is assisted by a regenerative braking system that gives it not only hybrid power but (through-the-road) all-wheel drive. Now we've got our first video clip of the hybrid prototype from its track tests and press conference unveiling, which you can see for yourself after the jump.

Continue reading Audi R18 e-tron Quattro debuts in motion

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro debuts in motion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Mar 2012 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi lemansaudi r18audi r18 e-tronaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 ultrafia world endurance championshiple mansr18videowecworld endurance championshipFri, 02 Mar 2012 14:45:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20184086/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/03/02/audi-r18-e-tron-quattro-debuts-in-motion/20184086/article-detail.xml 20184086 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/r18-etron-vidcap_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/03/r18-etron-vidcap.jpg <![CDATA[Audi unleashes hybrid, AWD powertrain on Le Mans with new R18 e-tron Quattro]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/audi-unleashes-hybrid-awd-powertrain-on-le-mans-with-new-r18-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/audi-unleashes-hybrid-awd-powertrain-on-le-mans-with-new-r18-e/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/29/audi-unleashes-hybrid-awd-powertrain-on-le-mans-with-new-r18-e/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Audi R18 e-tron Quattro

When we hear names like TFSI and Quattro, we automatically think of Audi. But while these technologies have proliferated across the company's production model range, they weren't initially developed for the road - they were developed for racing. So sit up straight and pay attention to Audi's cutting edge new Le Mans prototype, because it's jam-packed with new technologies that will likely end up in showrooms sooner or later.

Called the R18 e-tron Quattro, the LMP1 you see here doesn't just continue Audi's tradition of turbo diesel propulsion in endurance racing, it supplements it with hybrid propulsion and all-wheel drive. The two are part of the same system, regenerating brake energy (similar to F1's Kinetic Energy Recovery System) into a flywheel that is then fed back into the front wheels under acceleration, while the V6 TDI engine feeds 510 horsepower to the rear wheels for a combined through-the-road all-wheel-drive system. The added weight of the hybrid powertrain is offset by a carbon-fiber gearbox housing, used for the first time in endurance racing.

Audi will be campaigning two examples of the R18 e-tron Quattro at Le Mans in June and before that at Spa in May, alongside two of the R18 Ultras with conventional diesel power. Since both cars were developed together, they use mostly the same components, enabling more efficient race logistics for the team. We'll be watching to see how the tour de force fairs against the newcomers from Toyota with their TS030 Hybrid at Spa, Le Mans and the rest of the FIA World Endurance Championship, but for now you can check out the high-res images in the gallery above and the details in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Audi unleashes hybrid, AWD powertrain on Le Mans with new R18 e-tron Quattro

Audi unleashes hybrid, AWD powertrain on Le Mans with new R18 e-tron Quattro originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r18audi r18 e-tronaudi r18 e-tron quattroaudi r18 hybridaudi r18 quattrofia world endurance championshiple mansr18wecworld endurance championshipWed, 29 Feb 2012 15:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20183019/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/29/audi-unleashes-hybrid-awd-powertrain-on-le-mans-with-new-r18-e/20183019/article-detail.xml 20183019 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/r18etron_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/r18etron.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus entering Evora GTE with Alex Job Racing in ALMS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/lotus-entering-evora-gte-with-alex-job-racing-in-alms/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/lotus-entering-evora-gte-with-alex-job-racing-in-alms/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/24/lotus-entering-evora-gte-with-alex-job-racing-in-alms/#commentsFiled under: ,

Lotus Evora GTE

There seems to be no end in sight for the rapidly expanding Lotus Racing program. In the past couple of years, the team has branched into Formula One, Indy, GP2, GP3 and a number of GT racing series around the world. Thing is - while IndyCar runs primarily in the United States and F1 is coming here too - none of those endurance championships in which Lotus has been competing have been American. That is, until now.

Teaming up wit Alex Job Racing, Lotus is supporting a factory-backed entry win the GT class of the American Le Mans Series. Together, AJR and Lotus will field a 2012 Lotus Evora GTE running the same black-and-gold livery that has proliferated across the automaker's entire motorsport division.

AJR has a whopping 39 ALMS race wins and three GT titles to its credit, and will put IndyCar driver Townsend Bell and two-time ALMS Founders Cup winner Bill Sweedler behind the wheel for the full season that will kick off at Long Beach on April 14. Follow the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Lotus entering Evora GTE with Alex Job Racing in ALMS

Lotus entering Evora GTE with Alex Job Racing in ALMS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ajralex jobalex job racingalmsamerican le mans seriesevoraevora gtele manslotuslotus evora gteFri, 24 Feb 2012 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20176414/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/24/lotus-entering-evora-gte-with-alex-job-racing-in-alms/20176414/article-detail.xml 20176414 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/lotus-evora-gte_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/lotus-evora-gte.jpg <![CDATA[Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nissan at Le Mans

Nissan doesn't compete in Formula One. It doesn't field a top-tier LMP1 team at Le Mans. It doesn't race in NASCAR, IndyCar or the World Rally Championship. Yet the Japanese automaker doesn't have to stretch all that far to make the association between its brand and racing. It does, after all, offer competition versions of its GT-R and 370Z for use in a number of sportscar racing series around the world. But where it really shines is in the LMP2 category.

Slotting just below LMP1s like the Audi R18, new Toyota TS030 and the lamentably departed Peugeot 908, LMP2 racers are purpose-built for endurance racing at Le Mans and related events, but tend to be fielded by privateer teams. And the vast majority of them opt for Nissan engines.

In fact, 11 out of the 18 LMP2 cars that will be on the grid at this year's running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will powered by the 3.4-liter VK-series V8 engine which Nismo (the company's motorsport division) developed specifically for this application. And in the broader FIA World Endurance Championship (running for the first time this year), six out of nine will be powered by Nissan - the rest using Honda, Judd or Lotus-prepared BMW engines.

With those kinds of odds, our money's on Nissan taking the prize once again. Follow the jump for the press release.

Continue reading Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing

Nissan power dominates LMP2 category in endurance racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>fia wecfia world endurance championshiple manslmplmp2nismonissanwecworld endurance championshipTue, 07 Feb 2012 08:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20165650/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/07/nissan-power-dominates-lmp2-category-in-endurance-racing/20165650/article-detail.xml 20165650 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/8864515-1_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/8864515-1.jpg <![CDATA[Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/get-pumped-up-with-this-24-hours-of-le-mans-historical-highlight/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/get-pumped-up-with-this-24-hours-of-le-mans-historical-highlight/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/get-pumped-up-with-this-24-hours-of-le-mans-historical-highlight/#commentsFiled under:

Paul Newman at Le Mans, 1979

Even though Aston Martin's gone home and Audi won't have Peugeot to kick around at this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, there's a heap to look forward to: a large field of entries that includes two Audi diesel R18s plus two more hybrid R18s, Toyota's TS030 LMP1 hybrid and LMP2 racers from Lotus and Morgan.

But it's the entire field that delivers the magic of Le Mans, and it's not like we need more reminders of the race's awesome history, but we're glad the ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the organizer) has given us one. You'll find all three minutes of it after the jump.

Continue reading Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel

Get pumped up with this 24 Hours of Le Mans historical highlight reel originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>24 heures du mans24 hours of le mansacoautomobile club de louestle mansyoutubeSun, 05 Feb 2012 20:00:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20164435/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/05/get-pumped-up-with-this-24-hours-of-le-mans-historical-highlight/20164435/article-detail.xml 20164435 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/paulnewmanlemans1979_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/paulnewmanlemans1979.jpg <![CDATA[Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Toyota TS030 Hybrid

When Toyota announced its return to endurance sports car racing with the new TS030 Hybrid this season, the plan was to enter a handful of races, like Le Mans and Spa-Francorchamps, on an invitational basis.

Plans change, though, and Toyota has now upgraded the program to a full manufacturer entry, paving the way for it to compete in the entire FIA World Endurance Championship schedule. Now, with budget constraints, it's likely that Toyota will still pick and choose which races to contest, but it does open the door.

The change was apparently made in order to support endurance racing as a motorsport discipline. As part of its arrangement with the FIA, organizers at the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) need at least two manufacturers in the LMP1 category. With Peugeot's withdrawal, the series lacked the requisite level of participation, so Toyota stepped up to fill the void. Follow the jump for the full announcement.

Continue reading Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry

Toyota upgrades limited TS030 Hybrid racing program to full WEC entry originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acofia wecfia world endurance championshiple manslmp1toyotatoyota ts030 hybridts030ts030 hybridwecworld endurance championshipSun, 05 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20163359/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/05/toyota-upgrades-limited-ts030-hybrid-racing-program-to-full-wec/20163359/article-detail.xml 20163359 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/ts030-web_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/ts030-web.jpg <![CDATA[Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/04/audi-confirms-r18-hybrid-as-part-of-2012-endurance-racing-progra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/04/audi-confirms-r18-hybrid-as-part-of-2012-endurance-racing-progra/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/04/audi-confirms-r18-hybrid-as-part-of-2012-endurance-racing-progra/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi R18 TDI at Le Mans, 2011

The diesel era at Le Mans may not be over yet, but already we're seeing the emergence of a new propulsion trend: hybrids. Toyota recently announced the TS030 Hybrid LMP1, Peugeot was working on a hybrid version of its 908 prototype before it killed the race program, and now Audi has confirmed a hybrid version of the R18 TDI.

Few details were released, but what we can tell you is that Audi will field four cars at Le Mans this year: two with hybrid assist and two without. One will be headlined by Allan McNish, one by Oliver Jarvis, one by Timo Bernhard and one by André Lotterer, with supplemental drivers to be announced sometime before the 80th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans kicks off in June.

Audi also announced a two-car entry for the inaugural FIA World Endurance Championship, with four cars to be run at select racers like Spa and Sebring. Expect more details on the R18 hybrid to be released later this month, but in the meantime you can check out the official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program

Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi r18audi r18 hybridaudi r18 tdiaudi sportfia wecfia world endurance championshiple mansr18wecworld endurance championshipSat, 04 Feb 2012 14:33:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20163328/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/04/audi-confirms-r18-hybrid-as-part-of-2012-endurance-racing-progra/20163328/article-detail.xml 20163328 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/01-audi-r18-lemans-qualifying-2011-628_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/02/01-audi-r18-lemans-qualifying-2011-628.jpg <![CDATA[Lotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/lotus-headed-to-le-mans-with-lola-lmp2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/lotus-headed-to-le-mans-with-lola-lmp2/http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/02/lotus-headed-to-le-mans-with-lola-lmp2/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Lotus Lola LMP2

The suitably rapid expansion of the Lotus Racing division is showing no signs of slowing down. The British marque has its own Formula One team, is supplying engines to the IndyCar Series, oversees both GP2 and GP3 teams, has competition versions of its road cars in various GT and rally championships, runs its own karting program, and offers enthusiasts top-notch trackday programs with the Evora GT and Exos/Type 125 single-seater. But that's not enough: now Lotus is gearing up to take on Le Mans.

The company was planning to design its own LMP2 racer, and it had snagged the designer of the 908 HDi away from the now-shuttered Peugeot Sport racing program. But that apparently didn't go quite as smoothly as planned, so Lotus has instead opted to back an independent team to run a second-tier Le Mans prototype on its behalf.

That team is Kodewa, headed up by former HRT F1 team principal Colin Kolles and his father Romulus. They'll be running a chassis built by Lola and powered by a BMW V8 prepared by Engine Developments - the same arrangement by which Lotus is powering its Indy program. The car, as you can see, features the same iconic black and gold livery as other Lotus racers, penned in this case by Daniel Simon - a former Volkswagen Group designer responsible for the Tron:Legacy lightcycles and the livery run on last year's HRT F111.

Look for the Lotus LMP2 to debut when the FIA World Endurance Championship kicks off here at Sebring in March, with a second car expected to join at Spa in May. Press release after the jump.

Continue reading Lotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2

Lotus headed to Le Mans with Lola LMP2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>daniel simonfia wecfia world endurance championshiple manslmp2lolalola lmp2 coupelotuswecworld endurance championshipThu, 02 Feb 2012 13:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/20161386/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2012/02/02/lotus-headed-to-le-mans-with-lola-lmp2/20161386/article-detail.xml 20161386 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/lotus-lmp2_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2012/01/lotus-lmp2.jpg -1 2