Audi has revealed its all new futuristic Audi R18 LMP1 racer just a week after end of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season. The stunning R18 e-tron quattro, unveiled last Saturday in Munich, moves up to the 6 mega joules hybrid sub-class from the 4MJ category at the recently concluded season.
According to Road & Track, Audi R18 2016 features a traditional lithium ion battery charging system, which allows it to step up to 6MJ power for 2016 season. It is the same technology used by Porsche, this year's WEC champion.
"Making the step to 6MJ is very important and puts another weapon in our hands," Christopher Reinke, head of LMP1 at Audi Sport, told Autosport.
Audi R18 2016 reportedly runs a single, front-axle kinetic energy-retrieval system. The German manufacturer has not confirmed this information yet. The first images of the racer show a radical visual redesign as Audi is pushing the boundaries on aerodynamics once again.
Audi Sport boss Wolfgang Ullrich said: "With our new Audi R18, we're setting a clear signal: Audi continues to put the pedal to the metal in motorsport, deliberately relying on TDI - the world's most successful automotive efficiency technology - at the Le Mans 24 Hours."
Early this month, the Audi R18 2016 ran at Paul Ricard with Filipe Albuquerque at the wheel. The testing will begin next month at Sebring circuit in the U.S.
Meanwhile, Audi has also announced that it will reduce its Le Mans 24 Hours entries to two for next year, in a bid to reduce costs. This is a joint move with Porsche, its fellow Volkswagen Auto Group brand.
"In the interest of maximum cost efficiency, Audi and its group sister brand, Porsche, have both agreed to each compete in the Le Mans 24 Hours, the WEC season's pinnacle event, with only two instead of the most recent three cars," the statement reads.
Ullrich has clarified though that their lineup of drivers remains unchanged.
Launch of the 2016 #Audi R18 #WEC #welcomechallenges
A photo posted by Audi Sport (@audi__sport) on Nov 28, 2015 at 2:20pm PST
