23 Nov 2023

Tight Spaces: Stéphane Peterhansel Swaps his Audi RS Q e-tron Dakar Monster for the Audi R18 e-tron quattro

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="93049"] source: Audi Australia In the latest instalment of ‘e-tron on track’ 14-time Dakar winner, Stéphane Peterhansel, gets a chance to drive the Audi race car that launched the e-tron name in world motorsport. A hybrid-electric drive, similar in principle to the drive used in his Audi RS Q e-tron Dakar racer, the Audi R18 e-tron quattro wrote its own chapter in top-level international motorsport winning at Le Mans on debut in 2012 and the...
Thu, Nov 23 , 2023 Bill
13 Nov 2023

Tom Kristensen and Frank Lamberty Autographed Audi R8 Sketch Print

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="90032"] photo: Denis Podmarkov Audi Club is giving away its biggest sweepstakes prize ever this year with the winner’s choice of a 2024 Audi RS 6 Avant or 2024 e-tron GT Prestige. This is a Tom Kristensen/Frank Lamberty autographed Frank Lamberty sketch of the Le Mans concept/Mk1 R8. In the halls of the studios the Audi design team calls home, Frank Lamberty is also very much a legend. Frank’s influence has touched too many Audi models to co...
Mon, Nov 13 , 2023 Bill
30 Oct 2023

Audi Sport’s Ultimate Meeting of Electrified Prototypes: “e-tron on Track”

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="92232"] source: Audi AG Versatile electric drives from Audi around motorsport Mattias Ekström, Stéphane Peterhansel and Carlos Sainz meet Tom Kristensen at Audi Sport’s “e-tron on track” event in Neuburg, Germany Five fascinating models show rapid technical progress They stand for efficiency and enthusiasm in equal measure: Five high-performance Audi models for racing and action embody the path of electrified drives. The brand ...
Mon, Oct 30 , 2023 Bill
7 Jun 2023

Audi Family Fan Guide for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans

[gallery columns="1" size="full" link="file" ids="86768"] Though Audi Sport put a hold on its GTP prototype development program in order to focus on F1 efforts, that doesn’t change the fact that Audi fans will likely still be tuning in to this week’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. As the second -most winning marque has the 24 Hours of Le Mans, its influence in this historic race carries on with the presence of its former drivers, teammates and Volkswagen Group sibling Porsche. In as much, we wanted to...
9 Aug 2022

Concept Corner: Audi Le Mans quattro

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="74828"] source: Audi AG Editor's note: Occasionally, we feature a concept vehicle on the site. Most don't make it into production but this one did..the Audi Le Mans quattro concept became the Audi we now know as the R8. Originally published on November 19, 2003 Ready to run in only eleven months Top-secret task for a small Audi team Combining motor racing, luxury, high-tech and design The Audi Le Mans quattro is the first car of its kind: a ...
Tue, Aug 09 , 2022 Bill
29 Jan 2022

Porsche Confirms LMDh Engine Based on RS 6 Motor, Begins Testing

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="68246"] Whereas once Audi Sport and Porsche Motorsport shared virtually nothing between their R18 and 919 LMP1 programs, the modern era of LMDh prototype development ahead of the 2003 racing season will see the two Volkswagen Group marques (and possibly a third likely Bentley or Lamborghini) share chassis construction and engine. Since Porsche Motorsport has begun to reveal details of their version of the project, much of what is shared confirms ...
29 Jan 2022

Chicanes at Daytona, Le Mans Renamed in Symbol of Endurance Racing Unity

  [gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="68267"] Le Mans Chicane Debuts This Weekend during Rolex 24 At Daytona [source: IMSA] DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The two biggest endurance sports car races in the world – the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans – are now even more closely aligned with the news that chicanes at the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course and the 8.49-mile Circuit des 24 Heures in Le Mans, France. will be named after eac...
12 Jan 2022

quattro Magazine – Design Focus: The Audi quattro hockantrieb Experimental Le Mans Car for 1993

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="67840"] illustrations: Federico Ciuffolini Editor’s Note: This article originally ran in the Q3_2021 issue of quattro Magazine. If you would like to subscribe to quattro Magazine, please join Audi Club here. In 1993, Audi Sport found itself seeking a new direction. It had been nearly a decade since the legendary quattros were pulled from Group B and the factory rallying program shuttered. Several years had passed since one-and-done project...
Wed, Jan 12 , 2022 Bill
26 Nov 2021

Find of the Day: 2007 Audi R10 TDI LMP1 Chassis No. 201

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="66446"] words: Bill, photos: Art and Revs The Audi R8 LMP1 was a tough race car to follow but the Audi R10 TDI LPM1 was the car to do it. The 5.5L V12 TDI diesel  race car entered 48 races, winning 36 of them, earning pole position 12 times, and held the fastest lap 13 times. Its legacy can't be argued with. It was immortalized in the documentary Truth in 24 where it battled the formidable Peugeot 908 HDi FAP. It was driven by such...
Fri, Nov 26 , 2021 Bill
29 Apr 2021

Audi’s Le Mans Return Is Shaping Up

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="60368"] source: Audi AG Concept stage for new Audi sports prototype largely completed Close cooperation with fellow group brand Porsche First race planned for January 2023 at the Daytona 24 Hours Audi will return to Le Mans and to sports prototype racing with an electrified sports car in the 2023 season. The successor to the successful Audi R18 is already taking shape. “The new LMDh category fits perfec...
Thu, Apr 29 , 2021 Bill
23 Dec 2020

Marqued Man Op/Ed: One Last Christmas Wish, A 5-Cylinder LMDh for Le Mans

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="56590"] With the incredible news that Audi is headed back to Le Mans, it’s gotten us to thinking about what the next Audi racing prototype might look like. Porsche’s excellent LMDh drawings released with their own news of a prototype return inspired us to think about Audi’s sportscar racing return a little more specifically, and while this modified version of Porsche’s drawing helped us render our own Audi look, the idea of a turbocharge...
18 Dec 2020

Audi Sport, Porsche Motorsport, LMDh Prototype Racing and Le Mans’ 100th Birthday Party

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="56581"] Audi Sport shared an incredible gift with brand enthusiasts this holiday season with the announcement there’d be a return to Le Mans via the new LMDh prototype racing category. Then, Porsche confirmed their own LMDh shortly thereafter. Both plan a return to the segment by the 2023 racing season when the LMDh formula is set to begin… and also the 100th anniversary of the very first running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans for those doing the...
30 Nov 2020

Audi Motorsport Changes Afoot: Formula E Exit Confirmed after Season 7, 2022 Dakar Confirmed, 2023 Le Mans Return Likely

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="55829"] To say the pace of change has picked for Audi in motorsport would be an understatement. Less than a week ago (Nov 26), Audi pulled the wraps off of next season’s FE07 Formula E racer complete with Audi-developed MGU05 powertrain. Today, they’ve revealed plans for an electric assault on the 2022 Dakar Rally plus Audi Sport GmbH boss Julius Seebach taking the helm for motorsport efforts, and he’s already signaling a return to the top ...
30 Jul 2020

Find of the Day: 1 of 8 2015 Audi R8 V10 Le Mans

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="50005"] words: Bill, photos: GTA Motorcars Soooo yesterday I was ranting that my B5 RS 4 Avant should have won last week's Find of the Day episode but I totally forgot about this selection: a 1 of 8 2015 Audi R8 V10 Le Mans edition in Sepang Blue. George's choice won its round and the overall award...sorry Jacob. The ad for it is very bare bones but luckily we had our resident Audi Nerd, George, to fill in the blanks. It shows up at the 43 minute...
Thu, Jul 30 , 2020 Bill
18 Jun 2020

The First of Many: Audi Celebrates 20 Years Since Its Victory at Le Mans

[gallery link="none" columns="1" size="full" ids="48535"] source: Audi Australia, photos:Audi Sport Two decades ago this month, Audi celebrated the first of what would become the most dominant performance in endurance racing in the modern era. It was the start of one of the most extraordinary chapters in motorsport. A story of dominance that  has rarely been seen and will perhaps never be seen again. In only its second attempt at the race acknowledged as the most gruelling endurance race on...
Thu, Jun 18 , 2020 Bill
27 Sep 2018

Rumor: Audi Set for 2022(ish) Return to Le Mans Says Local Le Maine Libre Newspaper

The local Le Mans newspaper Le Maine Libre is reporting that Audi is preparing for a return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans by 2022 with a hydrogen-powered prototype aimed at planned 'zero emission' regulations the ACO plans for 2024. According to the newspaper, Audi Sport has been working on a secret program to that end. If true, this could see Audi return against other expected programs from companies such as BMW. The newspaper reports that Audi has already been working on the design of thi...
15 Jun 2018

Audi Is Not At Le Mans This Year…But It’s There In Spirit (Plus Spotter’s Guide)

[words: Bill Cho, spotter guide: Andy Blackmore Design, photos: Audi Sport] Audi withdrew from Le Mans in 2016 and Audi fans have been in mourning ever since. While the R8s and R18s may be silent, flashes of Audi's past are back at the track this year. André Lotterer, 3-time winner of Le Mans, will be driving the LMP1 #1 Rebellion R13-Gibson. He starts P3 behind the two Toyota TS050 Hybrids who secured the front row. Look for the #1 Rebellion Racing R13-Gibson with red mirrors and wi...
Fri, Jun 15 , 2018 Bill
18 Dec 2017

The End of an Era: Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich Retires

source: Audi Sport The end of an era: After more than 24 years under the banner of the four rings, Audi’s longstanding head of motorsport, Wolfgang Ullrich, goes into retirement. After having previously turned over his responsibilities to his successor, Dieter Gass, at the beginning of the 2017 season, the 67-year-old was now officially retired. A large farewell party in Neuburg an der Donau on Thursday night was attended by more than 300 former colleagues and associates – including m...
Mon, Dec 18 , 2017 Bill