Audi has replaced the R8 with the R10. The engine is a turbocharged 5.5 liter V12 diesel. The aero treatment looks pretty interesting. It's probably going to make life tough for the competition, just like the R8 did. Sebring anyone?

Check out the official release at:

http://www.audi.com/

That is really cool.I wonder how much of a learning curve there will be. I see broken gear boxes, and broken parts all over the track. we'll see

Dave

Diesel's come on to full power (torque) pretty quick and at lower rpm's.. It would take some definite thought to transmit that power to the wheels. Kinda like coupling a porsche engine at the the peak of the power curve (screaming) to the wheels. Possibly an automatic tranny that allows slippage to counter the rapid torque.

Ken

how do Newton Meters compare to Foot Pounds?

1100 Newton Meters of torque = XXXX ft/lbs?

QUOTE (DNHunt @ Dec 13 2005, 07:34 AM)

I see broken gear boxes, and broken parts all over the track.

There is a private British team, Taurus Racing, who ran a Catepillar turbo diesel powered Lola B2K/10 at Le Mans in 2004. They couldn't make the clutch and gearbox live. Just too much torque. And not enough money. They took this year off, but have announced they will try again at Sebring 2006 with their modified car.

Audi won't have the budget or resource issues. They will probably steam roll everyone.

By the way, I think the Le Mans regulations prohibit automatic transmissions. Drivers must shift, but they can use paddle shifters so there are probably plenty of electronic safeguards available.

The following photos are from www.dailysportscar.net.

aa

bb

Lola Diesel

cc

QUOTE (seanery @ Dec 13 2005, 07:51 AM)

how do Newton Meters compare to Foot Pounds? 1100 Newton Meters of torque = XXXX ft/lbs?

1100 Nm x 0.7372881 = 811 lb-ft of torque

An astounding number for a race car...

pete