Audi has unveiled its new WEC contender for the upcoming 2016 season. Although Porsche has clinched this year’s Constructors’ Championship title, Audi will obviously do everything to take the championship back next year.
Its new race car certainly seems to have received several updates compared to the 2015 contender. The latest incarnation of the R18 will be, unsurprisingly, the company’s most powerful and efficient race car to date. The most notable, visual update can be seen at the front of the car. The car might look slightly dumb, but these aerodynamic changes will assist with airflow as well as downforce.
Mechanically, the car’s hybrid system have also been updated. Instead of using the fly-wheel-based system to store recaptured energy, the system now uses lithium-ion batteries. Audi will continue to use a turbodiesel engine with its TDi technology (a 4,0-litre, V6 engine) compared to Toyota’s and Porsche’s petrol engines.
No further specifications have been released, although it is likely that Audi will release these details leading up to the season next year. Both Audi and Porsche will only enter two cars, instead of this year’s three, at next year’s 24-Hour of Le Mans, in an effort to reduce costs.
The season will kick off on 17 April at the UK’s Silvertstone circuit.
