New body, new clothes for Audi R15 TDI Le Mans car

New body, new clothes for Audi R15 TDI Le Mans car
The Audi R15 TDI will return to Le Mans this year with new aerodynamics and new livery, but can the four rings wrest back the title from Peugeot, who won last year to break Audi’s proud run of victories at the world’s oldest endurance race. They sure hope so.

Whereas silver was the dominant colour of last year’s R15, the 2010 car has a lot more red. In addition, large areas of the Le Mans racer will be kept in a “purist black carbon-fiber look”. The new look car will make its debut at the Le Castellet 8 Hours next week in preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June. Results will be of little importance. “Le Castellet will strictly be about gathering additional experience with the R15 plus. Racing conditions simply can’t be simulated in normal track tests; that’s why we’re contesting a race at such an early stage,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport.

New body, new clothes for Audi R15 TDI Le Mans car
This R15 is heavily revised over last year’s car, and is internally designated as “R15 plus”. Le Mans 2010 regulations call for smaller diameter air restrictors and reduced supercharging pressure for diesel-powered cars, and this has forced Audi to improve aerodynamics, Cd value and downforce. As a result, the entire shape of the R15 has been revised and it comes with a new face featuring a split nose. The team also says that despite the new engine rules, the R15’s 5.5-litre engine continues to deliver more than 590 bhp through “a lot of detailed work”.

The 2010-spec R15 got its first outing on Audi’s test track in Neustadt early March. The prototype was subsequently flown to the USA for aerodynamics trials before a five-day endurance test at Sebring, Florida where about 5,500 km was clocked without any technical problems worth mentioning.

More images after the jump.

[zenphotopress number=999 album=1032]

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • just visiting on Apr 06, 2010 at 12:01 pm

    wow…. nice

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  • Fantastic look! Should be another legend in Le Mans history…

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  • Jaybond on Apr 06, 2010 at 1:58 pm

    If only all Prototype Class cars are closed-top. I’m sure people will be more drawn to Le Mans. Just like during Group C years…

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  • AE86 (Member) on Apr 06, 2010 at 2:33 pm

    o.O i wish i had the chance and the skill to drive that thing on the track…
    anyway claps for Audi… German Engineering always have standards..

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  • nabill on Apr 06, 2010 at 2:43 pm

    jus curious , the shape of le mans cars iz it determined by FIA or its the best shape according to aerodynamics ??

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  • rageaccel2 on Apr 06, 2010 at 3:03 pm

    Audi…already a legend.. hehe

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  • rexis on Apr 06, 2010 at 4:02 pm

    Way to go diesel power!

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  • Jaybond on Apr 06, 2010 at 4:04 pm

    The manufacturer has the choice to design a closed-top (with roof) or open-top cars. Closed-tops need to have smaller tyre width than the open-tops according to the FIA & ACO rules, but they have better aerodynamics. In my opinion the Audi R15 is better off with a roof, should be more proper & beautiful sports prototype race car.

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  • DariusDrake on Apr 06, 2010 at 5:35 pm

    Never been a fan of the Audi Le Mans Team, so I’ll say “GO PEUGEOT!” =P

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  • Autik on Apr 06, 2010 at 7:29 pm

    This one is nice, but Peugeot is better.

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  • niamafufu on Apr 07, 2010 at 1:41 am

    this car is damn powerful in Race Driver Grid Game LOL
    gogo audi sport

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  • modan on Apr 07, 2010 at 3:00 pm

    ‘vorsprung durch technik’

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