Η Audi έδωσε μερικές πληροφορίες για τον V6 ΤDI κινητήρα του R18 TDI,του αγωνιστικού της για το Le Mans. Η Audi άφησε πίσω τον V10 για χάρη των νέων κανονισμών του Le Mans και ετοίμασε έναν νέο V6 3.7 λίτρων TDI απόδοσης 540 ίππων ο οποίος έχει αλουμινένιο μπλοκ, αρκετά σπάνια επιλογή για έναν πετρελαιοκινητήρα τόσο υψηλής συμπίεσης. Ο κινητήρας έχει περιεχόμενη γωνία 120º δίνοντας του έτσι χαμηλότερο κέντρο βάρους που αγγίζει σχεδόν τα επίπεδα ενός boxer κινητήρα. Οι πολλαπλές εξαγωγές πλέον ενώνονται σε ένα ενιαίο χταπόδι μέσα στο V.
Χάρη στο μικρό του μέγεθος, έδωσε την δυνατότητα τους αεροδυναμιστές να βελτιστοποιήσουν την αεροδυναμική του πρωτότυπο ενώ το χαμηλό του βάρος, επέτρεψε στους μηχανικούς να τοποθετήσουν έρματα σε διάφορα σημεία, πετυχαίνοντας έτσι καλύτερο ζύγισμα. Πίσω από τον κινητήρα βρίσκεται ένα νέο 6τάχυτο κιβώτιο ταχυτήτων, το σασί του αποτελείται από ένα μόνο κομμάτι carbon monocoque ώστε να κρατηθεί το βάρος χαμηλά και να αυξηθεί η ακαμψία. Αναλυτικότερες λεπτομέρειες μπορείς να βρεις στο δελτίο τύπου και στις νέες φωτογραφίες στη συνέχεια.
[Πηγή: Audi Motorsport]
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Unique TDI engine for the Audi R18 TDI
- Only six weeks to go before the 24 Hours of Le Mans
- Compact V6 TDI power unit with single turbocharger
- Exhaust manifold and VTG sit between cylinder banks
Ingolstadt, April 28, 2011 – The new Audi R18 TDI with which Audi targets its tenth victory in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11/12 is ready today with “tomorrow’s” technology. During development of the new LMP1 sports car the integration and future electrification of the powertrain and various possible concepts for energy recuperation have been taken into account.
“We are very conscious of such systems,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “In our opinion, just as soon as this technology proves to be the most efficient we will use it at Le Mans.”
Although diesel engines have been repeatedly restricted by the regulations since their victorious introduction in 2006, Audi relies on TDI power once again for its new LMP1. “Audi invented the TDI engine and is convinced that this technology remains one of the most efficient and modern forms to power a car – especially at Le Mans where engines with high specific power, low fuel consumption and low emissions are a necessity.”
New regulations devised by the Automobile Club de L’Ouest (ACO) and introduced this year dictate significantly smaller engines. Audi has chosen a particularly compact 3.7 liter V6 TDI engine, which is about 25 per cent lighter than the V10 TDI power plant previously fitted to the older R15 TDI, and which leaves all options open for the technicians with regard to electrification and energy recuperation. “This would not be the case with a V8, for example, which is also permitted by the regulations,” explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport.
However, Audi does not only surprise with its extremely compact engine. The concept is also innovative for an LMP1 sports car. To lower the center of gravity as much as possible and to improve airflow through the car, the exhaust manifolds were migrated from the left and right hand sides of the engine to sit between the two cylinder banks. “Hot side inside” is the name given to this concept by specialists, which was implemented in similar form in Formula 1 in the 1980s. But the V6 TDI engine powering the Audi R18 TDI, which has a cylinder angle of 120 degrees and thus an extremely low center of gravity, is technically generations further along the line and is also a technology-demonstrator for future production engines.
In contrast to previous Audi Le Mans sports cars, which all had twin turbochargers, the R18 TDI is quite logically now only fitted with a single turbocharger that also sits above the engine and draws its air directly through the air scoop mounted on the roof. “In this way we are able to convert the dynamic pressure generated at high speeds with minimal losses into power,” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport.
The mono-turbo concept developed in cooperation with Garrett was only made possible by the variable turbine geometry (VTG) already used victoriously in the R15 TDI. “Otherwise the response characteristics of such a large turbocharger would just be too bad,” explains Baretzky.
The concept was continued logically through a single pipe exhaust that exits at the rear of the R18 TDI below the new fin which is stipulated by the regulations. “This also stands for Audi ultra lightweight technology,” says Baretzky, “since we save components and weight – for example for a second diesel particle filter.”
Audi Sport has worked since July 2009 on the innovative engine concept for which numerous new routes had to be explored. To control the enormous ignition pressures and loads now only distributed between six cylinders, a unique method of cooling the cylinder heads was developed for the aluminum power unit, a concept that could also be interesting in the future for production.
Owing to the compact engine and uncluttered flanks, the airflow from the coolers can now exit practically unobstructed through the rear end. “We could increase the aerodynamic efficiency of the car as a result,” says Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. This aspect is even more important than ever before at Le Mans due to the reduction in engine power – for the Audi R18 TDI more than 397 kW (540 hp).
Another unique aspect of the new Le Mans sports car is its unusual sound. The Audi R18 TDI is probably the quietest race car Audi Sport has ever built. “Noise is unused energy,” stresses Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich who is delighted by the whispering murmur of the R18 TDI. “The sound is unique,” raves Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen. “It’s hard to describe. You have to hear it yourself. I think it’s fantastic.”
Motorsport Newsletter 06/2011: Federal Cross of Merit for Timo Scheider
- Award for Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich
- Four DTM drivers visit workforce in Neckarsulm
- Press conference with Allan McNish in Brussels
Ingolstadt, April 25, 2011 – Audi factory driver Timo Scheider is rewarded for charitable commitment: on Tuesday at 12:30 a.m. the two-time DTM Champion is awarded the Austrian Federal Cross of Merit from the Governor of Vorarlberg, Dr. Herbert Sausgruber, at Gebhardsberg in Bregenz.
Be it “Race-4-Kids”, “Wings for Life” or “Stunde des Herzens” in Voralberg: Timo Scheider has committed himself to various charitable projects for many years. For his efforts he now receives the Federal Cross of Merit in his adopted homeland Austria. “I’m honored that I will receive this award,” says the Audi factory driver. “But I didn’t need any award to carry on helping other people.”
Visible tradition: the handprints of winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans have been immortalized on plaques for two decades. They are embedded into the ground in the Le Mans town center. For the 20th anniversary Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich was also allowed to make a print, as was ACO President Jean-Claude Plassart and Peugeot Sport Boss Olivier Quesnel. This plaque is destined for the village at the track.
Another trophy: the winner’s trophy for the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2010 is already with Romain Dumas. On Saturday the Audi factory driver received another award in Le Mans. On behalf of the “Association Sportive des ACO”, Daniel Poissenot handed over the special trophy “Prix Special 2010” to the best placed Frenchman in the field.
Museum pieces: Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich presented the Le Mans organizer ACO an Audi R8 Safety Car as exhibition model. ACO President Jean-Claude Plassart accepted the key for the mid-engine sportscar. The black R8 is now on display at the museum directly at the track.
From Le Mans to Brussels: the next halt on Allan McNish’s busy travel schedule is Brussels. The Le Mans test day on Sunday followed a test with the new Audi R18 TDI at Le Castellet in South France last week. As early as next Tuesday the Scot visits a press conference in the Belgium capital city to mark the second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) on May 7 at Spa-Francorchamps.
Comic encounter: at last Monday’s DTM press conference for the DTM show event in Munich Rahel Frey and Mattias Ekström had to be well armed for more than just journalistic questions. Comedian Atze Schröder relaxed the serious atmosphere at the Olympic Park with his humorous appearance. Schröder will compere the show on July 16/17 in Munich.
Flying visit at Audi: on the way to Hockenheim on Thursday four DTM drivers pay the Audi workforce a visit. Timo Scheider, Mike Rockenfeller, Edoardo Mortara and Oliver Jarvis look forward to meeting the employees at the Neckarsulm factory between 11:15 and 12:00 in the company restaurant.
Growing anticipation for Hockenheim: Martin Tomczyk visits the circuit on Thursday before the DTM opener. Together with Arno Zensen, Team Boss of Audi Sport Team Rosberg, the Audi factory driver visits the press conference held in the Hotel Motodrom winter garden (start: 10:00 a.m.).
The Audi terminal architecture comes to the race track: Be it Audi Fan Treff, shop, Audi Lounge or Audi Team & Media Hospitality – all mobile buildings appear with immediate effect in the look and feel of the new global dealer network. The impressive terminals are used appear for the first time in a motorsport environment this coming weekend at the DTM opener at Hockenheim.
Strong partner: Audi acts as official car partner in the ADAC GT Masters this season. A large array could be admired during the opening round at Oschersleben: two Audi R8 GT cars (safety car and leading car) appeared for a photograph side by side with five Audi R8 LMS which competed in the race. The two 560 hp R8 GT cars from the Audi Sport performance cars pallet originate from the quattro GmbH.
Over the Easter weekend customer and importer teams scored top 3 positions with the Audi R8 LMS in various championships. The Audi R8 LMS claimed a pair of podium finishes in the ADAC GT Masters season opener at Oschersleben: Christer Jöns and Jens Klingmann from the ABT Sportsline team finished third in the first race ahead of their team mates Luca Ludwig and Christopher Mies. In the second race Klingmann and Jöns burst through the field from tenth on the grid to finish second.
The W Racing team Audi R8 LMS also took a podium place in the second Belcar Series race at Zolder. The Belgians Xavier Maassen and Bert Longin clinched third place ahead of their team mates François Verbist and Enzo Ide.
Second place in the first race and third in the second race – this was the result for Michael Guasch and Matt Bell (United Autosports) at the British GT Championship season opener at Oulton Park.
Team Audi France also took a podium from the second French GT Championship race weekend at Nogaro. Stéphane Ortelli and David Hallyday finished second in their Audi R8 LMS in race two on Easter Monday. In the first race they dropped from second to seventh after a small collision.
A word from… Joachim Hausner
You are Head of Complete Vehicle and Project Leader Testing in the Audi sports prototype project. At the test day for the 24 hour race the Audi R18 TDI made its first exploratory laps of the Le Mans track. How were the conditions?
Exactly those that we expected: a circuit that was relatively dirty to begin with. However, throughout the course of the day it became increasingly authentic and better. Thirty minutes of rain in the morning hardly influenced our test. Every R18 TDI completed its planned program.
All three cars, the nine race drivers and the test drivers were in action. What feedback did they give you?
Indeed it was important that every driver got used to the circuit. Marco Bonanomi our test and reserve driver had to complete at least ten laps. He is only then eligible as reserve driver for the race in June. The feedback was very positive: Every driver settled in immediately. There was very little set-up work required on the three R18 TDI cars. This goes to prove that we achieved a good basis during our simulations and the tests.
What will be the next steps leading up to the race at Le Mans?
The first race for the R18 TDI is already on the agenda in two weeks at Spa-Francorchamps. There are also two further development tests planned before Le Mans.
Coming up next week
26.04. Brussels (B), press conference ILMC
28.04. Hockenheim (D), press conference DTM
28.04. Neckarsulm (D), autograph session
30.04. Nürburgring (D), VLN endurance championship, round 2
01.05. Hockenheim (D), DTM round 1
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