Earlier this month Audi welcomed Porsche back to Le Mans with a video, driving the R18 TDI on public roads to Stuttgart and then smoking the rear tyres on the pavement, writing down “Welcome Back”.
Tag Archives: Le Mans
Michelin releases never-before-seen backstage footage of Le Mans
Michelin has released a short film on Audi’s journey to winning this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Audi announces SQ5
Audi used the Le Mans weekend to announce it hot diesel SUV – the 309 bhp SQ5. It has exactly the same power as the Range Rover TDV8, but of course in a much smaller package, being an astonishing 900 kg lighter.
As well as 309 bhp, the 3.0 twin turbo engine produces 650NM of torque (pulling power) between 1450 rpm and 2800 rpm. Channelled through an eight-speed tiptronic automatic transmission it is good for a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds and a governed 155mph top speed. Official fuel consumption is a surprisingly benign 39.2 mpg, although Audi says, “up to 39.2mpg is possible according to the combined cycle test”, which does not sound like the company expects that to be a common experience.
Le Mans: Both Toyotas out, Davidson in hospital with ‘broken back’
Toyota have pulled their sole remaining car out of the Le Mans 24 Hours after 11 hours and 134 laps, leaving the Audi team holding the top three positions. Alex Wurz was the driver who brought the TS030 HYBRID home and out of the race after a lengthy spell in the pits in the eighth hour which resulted in it stalling in the pit lane and forced the Toyota mechanics to push the car all the way back to the garage for repairs.The Austrian driver was well down the order when he rejoined but the petrol-powered hybrid car was not showing its earlier pace. The problems were the result of his team-mate, Kazuki Nakajima’s collision with the Nissan Deltawing in the sixth hour which also led to the Nissan’s retirement.
Aston Martin double at Le Mans
As well as competing with the Vantage at this year’s Le Mans, Aston Martin is returning to the circuit with its 1959 Le Mans winning DBR1, as a tribute to its drivers Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori, who passed away in recent weeks.The world-famous DBR1 will travel to Le Mans this week where it will be on display outside Aston Martin’s hospitality suite at the Parc du Raccordement, near to the start of the pit straight.
