Le Mans: Audi's R15 Plus breaks cover

Audi has released the first picture of its R15 Plus, the diesel-powered LMP1 prototype the manufacturer hopes will recapture the Le Mans 24 Hours from arch rivals Peugeot this June.

The eight-time winners of the event were forced to redesign the R15’s front end after protests from the French marque led to Le Mans organizers the ACO altering its regulations in November.
 

While re-profiling the entire car’s rear bodywork, the most obvious change comes at the front where an innovative slim double nose protrudes forward. A pair of single planes now run horizontally either side to create a wing that attaches to the inside of the front wheel arches. Unlike its predecessor though, these no longer stretch backwards to create the front bodywork, instead the central nose appearing more prominent.
 

Head of Technology at Audi Sport Dr. Martin Mühlmeier explained that the changes, both inside and out, were designed to aid efficiency in the factory’s bid to reclaim the greatest prize in endurance racing.
   
"This year, the Le Mans regulations prescribe air restrictors with a smaller diameter and reduced supercharging pressure for diesel-powered vehicles,” he said. "Due to the reduction of engine power as a result of the regulations we have tried to make the car’s aerodynamics even more efficient than before and to improve the Cd value and downforce parameters."
  
Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport, explained that the ACO’s new regulations had bought about their own set of problems.

"Our objective was to keep power loss to a minimum despite the limitations imposed by the regulations," he said "We managed to do that through a lot of detailed work."
 
"After Le Mans 2009, our specifications for the R15 plus listed about 20 key items. Efficiency and reliability were at the top of the list but we also looked at details like improved nighttime lighting of the track. We were able to meet this wish of the drivers with a new headlight concept."

The R15 Plus is set to continue testing in America ahead of the opening Le Mans Series round at Paul Ricard this April.


Tom Hornsby

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