Audi R15 TDI - Future

Future

With a change in Le Mans Prototype engine regulations planned for 2011 Audi is working on a successor to the R15 TDI, known as the R18. In interview with Autosport Magazine, the head of Audi's Motorsport programme Doctor Wolfgang Ullrich stated that the R18 will be a closed roof coupe similar to the 908, however Ullrich did not state the car would be a hybrid or what fuel it will be running on. What he did state however is that one of the advantages of an open-top prototype has been lost with the recent regulation changes: open-top prototypes often shorten pit times compared to closed coupes; however with pit times slowed down due to new rules requiring only one man with one airgun in the pits, the advantage has been negated. The R18 would be Audi's first-ever coupe since the failed Audi R8C in 1999; the Bentley Speed 8 (which won in 2003 with Audi-developed engines) were also closed prototypes. Along with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP (replaced with a new generation 908), the R15 TDI will be replaced; however, due to developmental reasons, the R15 TDI will make its final run at the 2011 12 Hours of Sebring under the R15 plus plus configuration.