Audi R18 Le Mans prototype unveiled

NightSt@lk3r · 12 Dec 2010 at 22:48

Alibaba99 said:
The 90X also has the incredibly ugly rear fin, it is a requirement of the rules to prevent cars from lifting when spinning.

I know the 90X will have the fin but its not the fin that makes the R18 ugly, its just ugly in general

Skeeter · 12 Dec 2010 at 22:57

rpstewart said:
Not any more, since last year they've had the same size restrictors as the open cars.

This. Which makes me wonder if the Diesels still have enough of an advantage for the restrictor rules change to not be an issue.

Bennah said:
Does it have an 'F Duct'?

No. The big fin is imposed advertising space as modern cars were running out of flat surfaces for sponsors to place logos so it is difficult for us to read the adverts...

...its also got something to do with flipping over, aparently

Also...

rpstewart · 13 Dec 2010 at 12:52

Skeeter said:
This. Which makes me wonder if the Diesels still have enough of an advantage for the restrictor rules change to not be an issue.

The LMP1 engine rules have changed across the board so it's difficult to tell - the R15 was a 5.5l V10, the new car is only a 3.7l V6.

I did read a piece in Motorsport which suggests that Peugeot are playing their cards close to their chest. The press photos of the 90X don't have any HDi logos which, combined with the bluster coming out of the team, have led a number of folk to suspect that the French will be running a petrol hybrid or just a plain petrol car.

Skeeter · 13 Dec 2010 at 13:02

For Pug to go petrol would mean that they at least feel the rules have leveled out enough to make Petrol viable again. Which is good news for all of us as this then means more than just the 2 diesel teams will be in with a chance of winning.

EDIT: Just looked at some press shots of the 90X. Clearly says HDI FAP on the side, but also says Pug are "still undecided" on the engine technology.

rpstewart · 13 Dec 2010 at 13:04

Skeeter said:
EDIT: Just looked at some press shots of the 90X. Clearly says HDI FAP on the side, but also says Pug are "still undecided" on the engine technology.

Interesting, will have another look at the article later.

However if petrol is back in the game that is good news, especially since Aston Martin have gone open topped - hence no AC load on the engine.

Ceryndrion · 13 Dec 2010 at 15:21

http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/12/02-audi-r18.jpg

A better pic of it. Still not sure about the look though, its that 'nose' that spoils it..

Alibaba99 · 13 Dec 2010 at 18:55

rpstewart said:
Not any more, since last year they've had the same size restrictors as the open cars.

That will teach me to miss this years Le Mans.

rpstewart said:
Interesting, will have another look at the article later.

However if petrol is back in the game that is good news, especially since Aston Martin have gone open topped - hence no AC load on the engine.

Is the Aston still using the road car engine as this does cause problems with weight distribution and location compared to a proper race spec engine.

rpstewart · 13 Dec 2010 at 18:59

It's a new purpose designed engine, the old one is too big for the new rules.

Alibaba99 · 13 Dec 2010 at 19:13

rpstewart said:
It's a new purpose designed engine, the old one is too big for the new rules.

I've just read the rules, after I posted that

.

Slightly odd wording regarding the hybrid systems being unable to charge when braking for curves. When and how are they meant to be charged?

Sydney · 15 Dec 2010 at 12:55

Alibaba99 said:
I've just read the rules, after I posted that .

Slightly odd wording regarding the hybrid systems being unable to charge when braking for curves. When and how are they meant to be charged?

I should think it's more a case of not using the regenerative braking in a corner, possibly because it can be a bit unpredictable (look at the trouble Ferrari had finding an F1 driver who could manage KERS last year.. and the trouble Toyota had with the unusual breaking behaviour of the Prius)
I like the look of that nose, it's certainly unusual.. it looks like a platypus.