Audi revealed today the 2014 R18 e-tron quattro, with which they'll compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Audi says that the 2014 R18 e-tron quattro has been redeveloped from scratch, even though the car looks like an evolution of its predecessor. Audi had to redevelop the R18 because of the 2014 LMP1 regulations. The 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro is powered by a revised version of the V6 TDI engine for the rear wheels and a hybrid system for the front axle (ERS-K – Energy Recovery System Kinetic, a system to store kinetic energy). The new Audi R18 (2014) comes with an optimized flywheel energy storage system, and a hybrid system with an electric turbocharger in the internal combustion engine.
Called the ERS-H (Energy Recovery System Heat), this system stores energy converted from heat. The new TDI engine of the 2014 R18 needs 30 per cent less fuel than its predecessor.
The new Audi R18 (2014) is 10cm narrower than its predecessor, 20 mm higher and it comes with a larger cockpit. Unfortunately, this means that the 2014 R18 is less aerodynamic too. The new R18 (2014) comes with a front wing with a flap instead of a diffuser, and it features various aerodynamic changes at the rear. Audi also improved the safety of the 2014 R18.
