Autoblog

Audi reinvents the rearview mirror for its Le Mans racers

Noah Joseph — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Coupe, Safety, Technology, Audi, Racing

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.

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

Noah Joseph — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Audi

When 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.

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1984 Audi Sport Quattro S1 [w/video]

Matt Davis — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Videos, Crossover, Audi, Racing

Tearing It Up In The Deep White With The Original Stig

There are lots of fine race driver names in the history of motorsports. Sterling Moss, Alfonso Antonio Vicente Eduardo Angel Blas Francisco de Borja Cabeza de Vaca y Leighton (a.k.a. Marquis de Portago), and the ever popular Dick Trickle come to mind. We'd need to put in a strong vote, however, for Swede rally sensation Stig Blomqvist, winner of the 1984 World Rally Championship drivers' title. He drove for the Audi Sport factory team between 1982 and 1985, his Group B championship-winning season starting in a long-wheelbase Audi Quattro A2 and finishing in a short-wheelbase Sport Quattro S1.

Lucky for us, we recently had the chance to belt in beside The Stig as he powered over a west central Swedish parcours buried in deep snow. Better still, we were able to ride shotgun with the legendary shoe piloting what was essentially the same Sport Quattro S1 he drove for the last part of the '84 WRC season.

Continue reading 1984 Audi Sport Quattro S1 [w/video]

1984 Audi Sport Quattro S1 [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi confirms R18 hybrid as part of 2012 endurance racing program

Noah Joseph — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 14:33:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Diesel, Racing

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.

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Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short

Noah Joseph — Thu, 26 May 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Audi

A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver - Click above to watch the video after the jump

They don't call it endurance racing for nothing. And the strain is placed not only on the car, but on the driver, as well. That's all very well and fine to know in theory, but to highlight the rigors of racing around the clock at Le Mans, Audi has produced this stunning animated short.

The two-and-a-half-minute film called A Day in the Life of an Audi Driver features the team's star driver, Alan McNish, and will be shown during the high-profile soccer match this weekend at Wembley Stadium between Barcelona and Manchester United, a team which Audi sponsors. It will also play in 3D for moviegoers going to see Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows in the UK, and will spearhead a newspaper ad campaign as well as dedicated apps for various smartphone platforms.

Fortunately, we don't have to wait for all that to watch the clip ourselves. All you have to do is follow the jump and click play, where you'll also find details of the campaign in the full press release.

Continue reading Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short

Audi highlights the rigors of Le Mans in animated short originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 May 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Combining Forzas: Audi ports over Porsche LMP2 drivers for Le Mans

Noah Joseph — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:50:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Audi, Porsche

With Porsche now reigning over the Volkswagen auto empire, we can expect to see synergies between the small sportscar maker and all its new subsidiaries over the years to come. One of the first such opportunities has actually emerged in reverse out on the race track, as Audi Sport has ported over two of Porsche's most successful drivers to its Le Mans team.

Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas have scored nine victories - including at Sebring, Daytona and the Nürburgring - along with two consecutive LMP2 titles behind the wheel of the Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series, not to mention both contesting the main event in France several times with other teams to considerable effect. The two will be joining Audi's roster of endurance racers in the new R15 TDI at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the words of Audi motorsport chief Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (which you can read in full in the press release after the jump) the team is "pleased that withing the Group the opportunity now presents itself to have [Bernhard and Dumas] race for us at Le Mans."

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Combining Forzas: Audi ports over Porsche LMP2 drivers for Le Mans

Combining Forzas: Audi ports over Porsche LMP2 drivers for Le Mans originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut

Noah Joseph — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:21:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Spy Photos, Audi

Following up on the immense success of the R10 TDI race car, Audi has been hard at work on its successor. A pair of new R15 TDI race cars will make their race debut at the Sebring 12-hour race next month, but the highly anticipated Le Mans Prototype has already been seen running development laps.

In developing the R15 TDI, Audi's motorsport engineers had to cope with new LMP1 regulations that place restrictions on downforce, while also trying to gain ground against the newer 908 HDi campaigned by rival Peugeot. The new R15 features a wider, higher front nose derived from the latest Formula One designs, radiators moved forward and a sleeker rear end with tail-lights integrated into the redesigned rear wing. Audi has also apparently chosen to stick with an open-cockpit design instead of the new school of closed cockpits embraced by Peugeot and Aston Martin's new LMP1 racer. We'll have to wait until Sebring on March 21 to see the R15 TDI in full race livery, but Italian magazine Sport Auto and British racing resource Autosport have already gotten a hold of shots of the car testing at Spain's Vallelunga circuit, so follow the links below to catch a glimpse.

[Source: Audi via Autosport and Sport Auto]

Continue reading Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut

Spy Shots: Audi R15 TDI spied ahead of Sebring debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 16:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Audi R15 to debut in March at Sebring

Noah Joseph — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi R25 concept from the 2008 LA Design Challenge

Racing fans young and old, near and far have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the new Audi R15, but they'll have to wait a bit longer. The successor to the eminently successful R10 TDi isn't scheduled to make its debut until the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.

Little is known about the R15, but Audi's racing division has been hard at work -- burning the midnight oil, you could say -- developing the LMP1 racer, having recently undergone a thorough shake-down at an undisclosed track in Spain with Le Mans winners Allan McNish, Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello alternating behind the wheel. The smart money is on the R15 adopting a closed-cockpit body-style, and Audi will be sure to make the new R15 even faster and greener than the record-breaking R10 in an effort to stave off Peugeot's new 908HY. But after puling out of the full Le Mans and American Le Mans Series, the only time we'll actually get to see the R15 in action will be at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring later this year.

[Source: Autosport]

New Audi R15 to debut in March at Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi develops R8 GT3 racer

Alex Nunez — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Europe, Audi

Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Audi R8 GT3 car

The courtship between Audi and GT3-class racing teams has officially begun with the automaker's announcement that it has developed a GT3 version of the R8 sports car dubbed "R16" internally by its project overlords at Audi Sport . The rear-drive racer (GT3 regulations prohibit AWD) features a six-speed sequential gearbox, mostly production-spec suspension components, plus an updated front end and a large rear wing designed to keep it planted to the tarmac. No additional tech specs have been revealed at this time. Factory driver Frank Biela was at the wheel for the prototype's roll-out, and customer deliveries are expected to take place next fall. Look for the car to see wheel-to-wheel action against the likes of the Aston Martin DBRS9 and Jaguar XKR GT3 during the 2009 European racing season. We patiently await its inclusion in a future Gran Turismo update so that we can try it out, too.

Gallery: Audi R8 LMS

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi develops R8 GT3 racer

Audi develops R8 GT3 racer originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Night Watch: Walter R�hrl is a bad, bad man...

Alex Nunez — Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:45:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics, Videos

...and I mean that in the best, best way.

It's short and sweet, but you get the point. The front-mounted camera perspective demonstrates the utterly ridiculous power of the Audi S1 and the equally ludicrous behavior of the spectators. Röhrl is a surgeon behind the wheel. It's unbelievable, and no, we are not worthy.

Trust me, I'll find more to post over the weekend.

[Source: YouTube]

Autoblog Night Watch: Walter R�hrl is a bad, bad man... originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Dec 2006 00:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi V12 TDI is "Race Engine of the Year 2006"

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:25:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Audi

After completing a remarkable rookie season with tons of new hardware for the trophy case back in Ingolstadt, the Audi Sport team better make room for at least two more items. British specialist magazine Race Engine Technology just awarded the Audi R10's 650-hp V12 TDI engine its "Race Engine of the Year 2006" and "Alternative Race Engine of the Year" awards.

Hard to argue with that choice as the TDI simply dominated the competition from the drop of the flag at the 12 Hours of Sebring back in March. And they didn't let up, finishing unbeaten (though not perfect) for the season. 8 for 8 is pretty impressive for a revolutionary diesel racing powerplant.

Kudos to Audi and to Ulrich Baretzky, Audi Sport's Head of Engine Technology who accepted the "Race Engine of the Year" trophies for Audi and who picked up one of his own for the "Design Engineer of the Year 2006" at the awards ceremony during the recent Professional MotorSport World Expo in Cologne.

[Source: Audi]

Audi V12 TDI is "Race Engine of the Year 2006" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Nov 2006 15:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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