[N1]

Audi returned to Le Mans in force this past Sunday with the new R10. Powered by a state-of-the-art V12 diesel engine, it is in contention to claim the first diesel win in the legendary endurance race. We will be on hand to capture the entire race and Wouter Melissen was already on site this past weekend to capture our first pictures of the very quick and very quiet Audi.
In the 1970s, the Cosworth V8 engine was the most commonly used racing engine however Ferrari was one of the few non-Cosworth teams that found success with their Mauro Forghieri designed flat-12 engine. With a low center of gravity and high horsepower figures, it racked up three driver's titles. One of the most successful of these Ferraris was the 312 T2, used in 1976 and 1977. Inspired by Ferrari's success, fellow Italian manufacturer Tecno designed a flat-12 racer of their own to power the ill-fated PA 123.

Taking the lead from Mercedes Benz, Porsche now seems to be releasing a new model every week. This time it's the most extreme version of the current generation 911 yet; the 997 GT3 RS. In contrast, Citroen starred at the recent Madrid Motorshow with the funky C-Buggy Concept.
Marcello Gandini was at his peak when he designed the revolutionary Lancia Stratos Zero Concept in 1970. It not only continued the popular wedge trend, but also formed the basis for the first purpose-built rally car.

Enjoy the links:

Audi R10
http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/frame...hp&carnum=2611

[foofighter]

i thought they were running V10's

and VAG has been really big on running diesel power in motorsports. They did it at the 24hrs of SPA with their diesel powered golf and i think one team ran biodeisel as well.

[windnsea00]

Originally Posted by foofighter

i thought they were running V10's

and VAG has been really big on running diesel power in motorsports. They did it at the 24hrs of SPA with their diesel powered golf and i think one team ran biodeisel as well.

The R8 was the gas one and the R10 was the new diesel that did fantastic! Diesel's are awesome for durability, longevity and economy. That's why in Germany 1/2 or more of new cars sold are diesel and not to mention the insane fuel prices. They also get taxed for size of engine and CO2 output so obviously a diesel has less C02 output than a gas engine and can be smaller in liter size but feel like a much larger engine with all that sweet low end torque. Here's a really cool sorta of music video on the R10: http://download.audi.com.edgesuite.n...o_high_cbr.zip

[ward]

diesel has a chance in endurance races, but in normal length races against gas powered cars I don't think they'll be able to hang

[GuillaumeSoete]

Don't forget that in these endurance series (Le Mans and so on..), diesels are allowed to have *huge* turbos, whereas gas-engined cars are restricted from everywhere (NA engine, among other rules).
Clearly unfair to me.

Worst of all, this "racing diesel" thing is all about marketing IMO. The average guy is happy to have the same "TDI" he saw on a Audi racing car written on the back his 90hp diesel rabbit...

Guillaume

[N1]

And we shall not have F1 or CHAMP CARS in DIESEL !
Or WRC DIESEL lolol