Audi's new R15 TDI Le Mans Racer Revealed Early

[Bodhii]

... This spy-shot of Audi's new R15 TDI, seen in secret testing at Vallelunga,... reveals just how radical the German manufacturer's approach has been to the car that will replace their all-conquering R10.

Audi won the 2008 Le Mans 24 Hours, both Le Mans Series and American Le Mans titles, and Petit Le Mans, but the need for a new car was apparent as the German manufacturer was outdone for pace by Peugeot's 908 HDi FAP last year.h used by the Renault Formula One team with their new R29. It is a major departure from the pointy, low-nose of its predecessor.

The car's radiators also appear to have been moved closer to the front wheel, probably in an effort to improve the car's weight distribution, hence the interesting scalloped ducts and shaping of the sidepods and rear cowling.

Other interesting developments on the car include a much lower, tidier rear end in an effort to regain some of the downforce lost to the new LMP1 regulations (which call for a 20 per cent reduction in aero) as well as innovative wing-mounted rear lights.

In a statement released by Audi yesterday, the team said the car has many 'technically innovative features' and will use a new 'smaller, lighter and even more efficient turbocharged diesel engine'.

The R15 has been testing in secret since before Christmas and will be raced for the first time in a two-car attack on the Sebring 12 Hours on March 21.

Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich said of the programme: "So far the R15 TDI has performed as we expected. Now it must also prove itself in race conditions. Sebring is a particularly hard race and is therefore perfectly suited to reveal even the smallest of weaknesses."

Allan McNish, who is one of the drivers to have tested the car said: "I drove it for the first time before Christmas as planned in Spain and everything went well. Since then Audi Sport has been busy with extensive testing and everything is progressing very well and on schedule - it's a tremendous car...

...Audi Sport Team Joest has also confirmed their driver line-ups for Sebring with McNish sharing one car with his usual partners Rinaldo Capello and eight-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, and the second machine piloted by Germans Lucas Luhr, Mike Rockenfeller and Marco Werner....

[Bodhii]

Great new pics. Ready for Sebring!







[IMG][/IMG]

SPEEDtv.com - Gallery

[DSGFL]

They are bringing the R15 to Orlando this weekend for several days of display at
Lake Nona Golf Club for the Tavestock Cup where Nona plays Isleworth.

I was also asked to lend them my R8 for 3 days to display on a tee box.
This is Audi's 1st year as a sponser replacing Cadillac.

It will air Monday and Tuesday on the Golf Channel. I think 2-3 dozen Audi's will be on display, and hole in one prizes...

Once this R15 arrives, the carrier goes to Atlanta to gather another for Sebring.

[09R8]

Audi will do well.

[wedouglas]

As beautiful as the R8 is, I would kill for a wide body like that LM. Those wide front fenders make it look so much better.

[AnOutsider]

looks good as far as racecars go, but I'll stick with the production model.

[desperado]

OK, I'm stumped! I know what the first two are (R8 LMS and R15) but what is the third one???

[wedouglas]

OK, I'm stumped! I know what the first two are (R8 LMS and R15) but what is the third one???

A4 DTM I think.

[Craig@Rennstore.com]

Man...they look better & better with each generation. Wow!

[Bodhii]

The first Audi R8 LMS was delivered on Tuesday - chassis 101 being handed over to Emilio Radaelli, Team Manager of Audi Sport Italia. The symbolic handover took place in the Audi Forum Neckarsulm, where usually new road cars are delivered to their new owners.

"In the future our new customer sport program represents Audi Sport’s third business field alongside our factory programs in the DTM and in sport prototypes,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "2009 is a test and development year during which we aim to collect as much experience as possible with the R8 LMS. We are delighted to be able to do this with teams with which we are familiar and have established a solid partnership over the years.” The other 11 cars will be delivered to their customers in the following week.

Audi Sport Italia will contest the Italian GT Championship with its new toy, while Oreca is going to challenge the Lamborghini domination in the French GT Championship. Abt Sportsline, Argo Racing, Phoenix Racing and Team Rosberg will all be fielding their R8s in the ADAC GT Masters, giving a huge push to the German championship.

While Team Rosberg is also competing in the FIA GT3 championship, Phoenix Racing is additionally contesting the FIA GT3, the Belgian GT Championship and the BFGoodrich Langstreckenmeisterschaft. For the races on the Nordschleife, including the 24 Hours Nürburgring, Audi Sport has developed an endurance version of its new customer car.

The first race action for an R8 LMS is the Easter weekend, when the ADAC GT Masters and the French GT Championship kick of their season.