Just one week after the World Championship winning R18 e-tron quattro ran its last race, Audi will start testing for its successor at Sebring today.
Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm has developed a brand new prototype machine, corresponding to the new regulations for 2014. The development of the new LMP1 challenger began in 2012, with the roll-out taking place in early 2013. Today the next-generation R18 will begin testing at the proving ground of all Audi’s Le Mans prototypes: Sebring.
“We’ve reached a crucial stage in this project,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “After building the first prototype, testing on various race tracks is now taking center-stage. The tests are mainly focused on achieving high mileage, coordinating the highly complex hybrid drive systems and working out an efficiency-optimized total package that has never before been as complex as this one.”
Audi won both the manufacturers’ and the drivers’ World Endurance Championship titles for the second year running in 2012, as well as winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the twelfth time. The next-generation of its hybrid prototypes is expected to be presented before the end of December.
