Audi brings quattro back to the race track in 2012
Audi’s new Le Mans sports-prototype is the world’s first LMP1 car to combine a highly-efficient TDI with a hybrid system. quattro drive is also celebrating its comeback to the race track in a entirely new form.
Audi R18 e-tron quattro fights for overall victory at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) on June 16/17. Audi unites two technologies in a fascinating way to create a new type of drive, which is also already being tested for future use in production cars: e-tron quattro.
The next generation four-wheel drive Audi combines the advantages of the proven quattro drive with the potential of electromobility. To this end one vehicle axle is powered conventionally, the second by electric motors.
Audi Sport has also developed the Audi R18 ultra in parallel to the Audi R18 e-tron quattro - because Audi takes a two-pronged approach at Le Mans and in the newly created FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC).
Le Mans 24 Hours - 2012
#1: Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Tréluyer (Audi R18 e-tron quattro)
#2: Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/ Allan McNish (Audi R18 e-tron quattro)
#3: Loïc Duval/Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas (Audi R18 ultra)
#4: Marco Bonanomi/Oliver Jarvis/Mike Rockenfeller (Audi R18 ultra)
2012 Timetable
Wednesday 13 June
16:00-20:00 - Free practice
22:00-24:00 - Qualifying
Thursday 14 June
19:00-21:00 - Qualifying
22:00-24:00 - Qualifying
Friday 15 June
1400 - Audi Press Conference, Audi Racing Arena, Parc du Raccordement
18:00-19:00 - Drivers' Parade (City centre)
Saturday 16 June
09.00-09:45 - Warm-Up
14:22 - Beginning of starting procedure 24 Heures du Mans
15:00 - Start of the 80th race of the 24 Heures du Mans ®
* All times above are local and are +1hr BST
2012 FIA World Endurance Championship
Mar 17 Sebring 12 Hours (USA)
May 05 Spa 6 Hours (Bel)
Jun 16-17 Le Mans 24 Hours (F)
Aug 26 Silverstone 6 Hours (GB)
Sep 15 Sao Paulo 6 Hours (BR)
Sep 29 Bahrain 6 Hours (BAH)
Oct 14 Fuji 6 Hours (Jap)
Oct 27 Shanghai 6 Hours (C)
