Audi R10 TDI Race Car

Audi R10 TDI at the Neckarsulm AudiForum

Category: Sports car racing - Le Mans Prototype LMP1

Constructor: Audi AG (with Dallara)

Technical Specifications:
Chasis: Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (rear): Double wishbone, inboard spring/damper



Wheelbase: 2,980 mm (117.3 in)

Engine: 5.5 litre V12 TDI DPF twin-turbo, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission: 5-sp sequential manual
Fuel: Shell V-Power Diesel
Tyres: Michelin
Completion History:

Notable Entrants: Audi Sport Team Joest
Audi Sport North America

Debut: 2006 12 Hours of Sebring

Audi R10 TDI usually just called as R10, Audi R10 is a racing car that is build in Germany at Audi Car Manufacture. The story of this car is very interesting because Audi R10 TDI is the first diesel power car that wins on the International Racing car. As the story this Audi R10 is the most expensive project ever undertaken by Audi Motorsport, this project was cost of about $ 15 million a year.

Modification from the supersede model of Audi R8 race car have proved a successful won five time at Le Mans since 2000 and earning a reputation as one of the most successful racing car of all time. But now the rule has changed on this race event that is not limited the engine power and make this race more competitive.

Other modification on this car such as new aerodynamics design that is compliance with the new regulations and added a second rollover hoop and wheelbase is lengthened for longer V12 TDI engine. The new rule also applies for minimum weigh for racing car from 900 kg to 925 kg and for this purpose Audi then modified the component inside the car, the overall weight of Audi R10 TDI about 935 kg. Officially is allowing closed top prototypes to run with air-conditioning and have speculated that this done at the behest of Audi to allow the R10 to be competitive.

Audi R10 use 5.5 liters V12 TDI engine, the two large gray pieces on the left are diesel particulate filters develop Audi by Dow Automotive. R10 engine is a diesel engine with two turbochargers running on Shell V power Diesel. This engine is using common rail direct fuel injection of more than 1600 bar with the output power of 485 kW, if you want to imagine what is 1600 bar pressure? One bar pressure is similar with 1 kg hit area of one cm2 and 1 kW same as electric power that enough for supply of one house in Indonesia, so this engine power is very big for normal engine. Audi R10 engine have a rotation speed of 3000 and 5000 rpm.

The problem of this machine when installed, because the weight of Audi R10 engine is 220 kg for latest Audi 3.0 L V6 TDI and 225 kg for Audi 4.2 L V8 TDI. The construction of engine block is made from CGI iron, that engineer rumor said that this block is too weight upwards of 220 kg engine. This engine is larger than necessary, the Audi car is rumor can produce until 700 hp (522 kW) in qualification, that is limited by the fuel combustion quality, 1 hp is same of about 746 watt. This value said will can't be maintained in race because it could clog the particulate filter. The peak pressure in cylinder is probably around about 200 bar, compared with 85 bar for an atmospheric petrol engine.

Diesel Engine at Racing

Diesel engine have been successfully used in other forms of racing as well, as their broad power band and fuel economy can prove advantageous, but have disadvantage on lower rotation speed of the engine requiring new power transmission.

Audi decide to use a diesel engine emphasizes the commercial success of Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) turbo diesel engine. The advantage of diesel engine is hold up to heat and have high power that can't be produced by gasoline engine. May we have known that all power generator that should produce a high power always use diesel engine.

I think diesel engine for racing car is the best choice for the future depend the engineer will modified this car engine can work optimum. The first diesel engine car to qualify and race at the 24 h race at Le Mans was a French entry in 1949, the first race held after the war and finally Audi R10 become the first race car that use diesel engine and win on race event.