Category: Audi

Audi is pretty chuffed that its R18 e-tron quattro has found itself on pole position for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hour race. It’s no surprise then that there’s lots of exuberant quotes from the team after such a strong qualifying performance.

Andre Lotterer, the man responsible for the 3:23.787 pole winning lap, reckons his new car is pretty good. “The car was running like it was on rails, simply incredible,” the 31-year-old German said. “The guys at Audi Sport did a top job yet again and made my first pole position at Le Mans possible for me. Many thanks to them for this!”

You can read more from Audi Sport, including quotes from the drivers of all four cars, after the break.

The #1 Audi R18 e-tron quattro (Fässler/Lotterer/Tréluyer) has lived up to its number and secured pole position at Le Mans. In doing so Audi has created history by becoming the first hybrid powered car to start the endurance classic from P1. Andre Lotterer posted a time of 3:23.787 early in the final session, which was enough to win pole position.

It will be an all-Audi front row after the diesel powered #3 Audi R18 ultra (Dumas/Duval/Gene) qualified in P2. Toyota has shown it will be very competitive by splitting the four Audis as well; the #8 TS030 Hybrid (Davidson/Buemi/Sarrazin) will start from P3.

If reliability goes well for the two major teams we could be in for a super race. Final qualifying has only just finished and we’ll update you when official statements from Audi and Toyota come through.

For the record, with a lap time of 3:42.612, the Nissan DeltaWing has qualified in P29. When the car was first announced Nissan were claiming the DeltaWing would post lap times in between the leading LMP1 cars and the LMP2 category. A total of 15 LMP2 cars will start the race ahead of the DeltaWing.

24 Hours of Le Mans 2012 – Qualifying (top 6)

[Source: Autosport]

Audi Australia today confirmed Channel 7’s digital station 7mate will broadcast their Truth in 24 II documentary ahead of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Retitled Truth in 24: Next Generation and cut back to a 60 minute running time for local screening the film, which covers Audi’s 2011 victory, will air tomorrow at 5:30pm (check local guides).

A repeat screening of the documentary will be also be shown on 7 Digital this Sunday at 1:00pm, while the 2012 race is underway. The yahoo7 website will complement the television broadcast with additional material.

Of course, we’ve already brought the full 1 hour 20 minute version thanks to Audi of America and if you’d like to watch it now and reminisce over Audi’s dramatic win you can do so with our special 2011 Le Mans feature.

[Thanks to Pius for the tip]

Let’s be honest, if Audi doesn’t win its 11th outright title at the 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend it will be a major story. This year, for the first time, they’re trying to do it with a new diesel-hybrid. Officially the car is known as the R18 e-tron quattro and there’ll be two of them chasing the win at La Sarthe.

Defending champions Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer will step into the #1 R18 e-tron quattro. While seasoned trio Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish will drive the #2 hybrid.

For good measure Audi will also be racing two conventionally powered R18 ultras. In the #3 car will be Romain Dumas, Loïc Duval and Marc Gené. Joining them in the #4 entry is Marco Bonanomi, Oliver Jarvis and Mike Rockenfeller.

Highlighting Audi’s recent dominance at Le Mans is the fact the 12 factory drivers have a combined total of 19 wins in the renownded 24 hour event.

The four cars are essentially the same, both feature a 3.7 litre V6 TDI with variable turbine geometry. Of course, the first two cars are complemented by the hybrid-quattro system. Helping to set the two models apart is a lighter livery on the R18 e-tron quattro cars, with a darker scheme on the R18 ultras.

Dr Wolfgang Ullrich, Head of Audi Motorsport, says despite a good showing at the 6 Hours of Spa last month they expect Toyota will be tough competition.

“At Le Mans, we’re competing with a totally new line-up compared with previous years. For the first time, we’re fielding four vehicles and two different concepts, the R18 e-tron quattro and the R18 ultra, under our factory commitment,” explained Ullrich.

“We used the race at Spa as a ‘dress rehearsal’ for Le Mans and managed to finish it with a good result. We started adapting our vehicles to the track on the test day.

“This time, we’re also in the situation of meeting with Toyota, whom we expect to be our strongest rival, for the first time in a racing situation. We don’t know yet where exactly our opponent will stand. In any event, Le Mans is a completely different challenge every year that has to be mastered first.”

Audi’s detailed preview can be read after the break. During the race you can keep up to date via Audi’s official channels using twitter, Audi tv and Audi Liveracing.

The 2012 edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is just two weeks away now. Last year’s race was an epic in every sense of the word. Audi will defend their title, and chase their 11th win, with the R18 e-tron quattro hybrid. Before we get stuck into this year’s race, here’s a gallery of images showcasing the winning #2 Audi of Benoît Tréluyer, Marcel Fässler and André Lotterer.

You’ll recall Audi released their Truth in 24 II film, about the 2011 race, a bit over a week ago. The full movie has now been added to YouTube by Audi of America, and we’ve embedded that below for you as well.