Audi’s new R18 E-tron sports new livery on streets of Le Mans

By: CAR magazine

The updated version of Audi’s R18 E-tron Le Mans Prototype, with a new livery, has just been unveiled. But instead of hosting a private function behind closed doors for media and VIPs, the Ingolstadt-based manufacturer chose to  parade the new racecar in public with a drive through the streets of Le Mans.

The revised R18 E-tron, which will contest this season’s World Endurance Championship (WEC), now wears a combination of white, silver and red, over the black and red livery from last year’s season. Tasked with showing off the new colour scheme was nine-time 24 Hours of Le Man winner Tom Kristensen, who will chase a record tenth title at this year’s event with Loic Duval (who won the title with Kristensen in 2013) and former F1 driver Lucas di Grassi who has competed in selected rounds of the WEC with Audi for the last two years.

The updated R18 E-tron is powered by a 4,0-litre turbodiesel V6 motor (the displacement is a little larger than the 3,7-litre motor used before). The V6 powers the rear wheels, while an electric generator channels recouperated energy through a flywheel energy storage system and sends torque to the front axle – effectively making the R18 an all-wheel drive racecar.

The stunt in Le Mans was apparently inspired by the city’s history with the historic 24 Hour event. The drivers of yore used to arrive in the town during the buildup to the event in the very same cars they were going to race.

The World Endurance Championship kicks off on 20 April, with the Six Hours of Silverstone, in England – where the R18 E-tron will compete against its hybrid rivals in the LMP1 category, Toyota’s TS040 and Porsche’s 919.

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