Audi LMP1 Discussion

[MyNameIsNigel]

Rocky will be Audi's reserve driver at this year's 24h of LM according to motorsport-total.com

Interestingly, it is being mentioned that Rocky declined to take TK's seat and instead suggested to Dr. Ullrich to be Audi's reserve driver. Rocky is apparently willing to concentrate on his current role in DTM.

[Articus]

I thought Rockenfeller left endurance racing because he thought Le Mans was too dangerous after his crash in 2011.

[carbon_titanium]

Originally Posted by Articus

I thought Rockenfeller left endurance racing because he thought Le Mans was too dangerous after his crash in 2011.

Actually, he ran in 2012 again. I guess that he prefers to focus on DTM and TUSC.

[GT6]

If he gets the chance to do a major race like le mans as well as his normal day job, i am sure he will jump at the chance

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

I do wonder if this LSS system is an evolution of Audi's "Dynamic Ride Control" (DRC) system as offered on RS models:

If the 'central valve' is electro active i don't know if that would be allowed...

In any case i don't see a different logic from Toyota's 'braking stability system'... it could be that Audi has both...

[chernaudi]

Anyone know around what time tomorrow that Audi will have their Launch for the R18 that's supposed to take place?

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Anyone know around what time tomorrow that Audi will have their Launch for the R18 that's supposed to take place?

I didn't even know this was confirmed. Where did you here this?

[chernaudi]

It was indicated in this post:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showpost....postcount=8056

With more info here:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showpost....postcount=8076

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

It was indicated in this post:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showpost....postcount=8056

With more info here:

http://tentenths.com/forum/showpost....postcount=8076

Still no official confirmation, but I am hearing that a number of representatives of the press have been invited. It also seems that the new Audi RS5 DTM will be officially presented today.

[MyNameIsNigel]

On a different note, Autosport have published an interesting article about the new R18 in today's issue of the magazine. They confirm the move to 4MJ, still with the same - but optimized - hybrid architecture. A more powerful ERS-K combined with an upgraded (ex-WHP) GKN flywheel unit.

Juttner and Reinke are apparently confident that they have managed to reduce the gap with the competition, if not closed it completely. That's a bold statement, considering that both Porsche and Toyota have necessarily improved as well...

[TF110]

If the gap is to close up what they were down last season that wont be enough. No one is sure what the pace is from Porsche and Toyota, so itll be one thing to watch at next week's test. But teams might not show their hand.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

On a different note, Autosport have published an interesting article about the new R18 in today's issue of the magazine. They confirm the move to 4MJ, still with the same - but optimized - hybrid architecture. A more powerful ERS-K combined with an upgraded (ex-WHP) GKN flywheel unit.

Juttner and Reinke are apparently confident that they have managed to reduce the gap with the competition, if not closed it completely. That's a bold statement, considering that both Porsche and Toyota have necessarily improved as well...

Here is an extract of the article published in the paper/digital version of today's Autosport magazine.

[Bandicoot17]

From GG

[philipp]

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

From GG

A lot less white...............I like it!

[Pandemonium]

I am sorry but I prefer the white. If those sides were in white it would look much better.

[chernaudi]

DSC are reporting that one R18 was running around the Audi Driving Experience circuit during lanuch, and that this is the first time that Audi have gathered all 13 of their LM winners in one place outside of the Audi Museum Mobile.

When Audi release the press photos, there are some interesting details on the now colored cars that the testing photos didn't show.

It's also been confirmed that Audi will have a 4MJ hybrid system, brake by wire system and a FRIC suspension system, as previous reported elsewhere.

The move to 4MJ is estimated to give Audi, in burst, of up to 1100bhp.

[J Jay]

All good improvements, but necessary given the pace of development and the gap they already had to the others.

I can't say I like those black fenders though.

Edit -

Originally Posted by chernaudi

The move to 4MJ is estimated to give Audi, in burst, of up to 1100bhp.

Is that from a press release or in the Autosport magazine? I could only find the uprated electric motor giving up to 270hp (from ~225hp) which on its own doesn't seem to be a big increase.

[YorkshireLad]

Probably black to help disguise those horrible looking headlights and turning vanes.

[Simmi]

That's a legacy right there.


On a side note I think Audi have really botched the livery on the new car.

[Pontlieue]

I like that they have less white on the front of the car, but the livery on the nose looks like they already had to use duct tape before the race even started.

It's an improvement over last year, but it could be better.

[Jetinder]

With the EoT changes released in the last week (based on the 2015 fuels), Audi will likely gain with the 0.8 kg/hr increase in fuel flow vs 0.5 kg/hr increase for petrols. That's quite a lot of extra for the audi.

http://www.fia.com/sites/default/fil...EOT_150313.pdf

It probably won't affect number of laps per tank at Le Mans I'd imagine.

[tomazy]

[MyNameIsNigel]

Here are additional studio shots of the new car:

[Acid09]

As good as Audi is at building LMPs, they're horribly at painting them.

At best the liveries are boring, at worst they're awful, like the 2010 ones. This is somewhere in between.

Why they don't simply stick with the black testing livery is beyond me, it looks much better than what they'll end up using.

[GT6]

i would agree they should spend a bit more time making the car look as good as it goes. if they want to get the news papers to print pictures of it a `few quid on a decent paint scheme would help IMHO