In the second round of World Endurance Championship at Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium today, Audi debuted its new 2012 versions of the R18 in a dominating performance. Audi ran two each of the R18 Ultra and the R18 e-tron quattro. The Ultra is an updated version of the car that won at 24 hours of Le Mans last year and continues with its twin-turbocharged diesel V6.

The e-tron quattro takes the diesel sports car concept that Audi has been running since 2006 to a whole new level. In addition to the diesel V6 powering the rear wheels, Audi has hybridized the R18 with the same electromechanical flywheel system used so successfully by their corporate cousins at Porsche for the past two years.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/alternative-fuel/hybrids/porsche-911-gt3r-hybrid-flywheel

The e-trons with their electrically powered front wheels supplementing the diesel powered rear end, dominated the rainy early part of the race, but as the conditions changed the Ultras made a better choice going straight to slick tires. Ultimately the four Audis crossed the line taking the first positions with the order Ultra/e-tron/Ultra/e-tron.

Toyota is going to have one hell of a battle on its hands next month at the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

#wec #worldendurancechampionship #audi #audir18etronquattron

Audi R18 e-tron quattro #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)Dindo Capello (I), Tom Kristensen (DK), Allan McNish(GB)

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