Audi LMP1 Discussion

[chernaudi]

2014 rules allow for the R15-type front diffuser. It's a method that the ACO adopted to try and discourage the teams from doing like Audi and Toyota have done and develop special bodywork "clips" front and rear for LM and the sprint races.

It's also been pointed out that it's due to the ACO continuing to address the front/rear aero balance issues that caused the Mercedes CLR flips at LM.

[deggis]

Found one of the paywall pics:

http://speedblog.speed.com/speed/spo...r18-in-action/

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by deggis

Found one of the paywall pics:

http://speedblog.speed.com/speed/spo...r18-in-action/

Looks like it has 2 separate exhaust pipes, wonder what type of engine they are running under that. And looking at the sidepods and all the aero that´s been placed there. Really big difference from the old R18.

[MyNameIsNigel]

It looks like an Audi, but it's definitely different in all areas, from the front-end to the back-end.

[Gingers4Justice]

Hope they stick with those darker wheels in the final livery. Makes the car look a lot meaner.

The Porsche looks positively basic in comparison to the R18.

[MihokS5]

Man I wish we could see a spy shot of the front!

[Nick Woodbury]

Here is another angle

[FxL]

I really like the black wheels

[deggis]

edit: slow, but above pics from:

http://www.racer.com/spied-new-audi-r18/article/325073/

[Bandicoot17]

Black wheels should be mandatory

[joeb]

Slightly more info from Autoweek on the Sebring test.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...n=awdailydrive

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

A quick comparison highlighting that the perspective of the picture of the 2014 Audi R18 e-tron quattro is misleading and that the cockpit width of the new car remains substantially similar to that of the old one:


One thing for sure, the air intake on the roof is massively larger than on the previous R18 iteration. Strangely, the front fenders and BHH also appear to be wider...

I think the first above photo is even much more distorted, Mulsanne's Corner comparative may be much closer to reality http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsnov13.html

* The all front section between the wheel hubs is *notoriously* narrower (including cockpit)... now resembles a 'duck beak' as was used in F1... smaller MGU in front ?

* The top engine air intake seems notoriously of higher surface section, inspite not being "ovaleted" on top as before... *more* engine ? ... then makes suspect "diesel"

ummm... perhaps Audi is going for < 2 MJ/Lap with more engine to compensate, relying on the huge potential of ERS in the recuperation mode (which has no limit) to run the all engine ancillaries by electric means(permitted by rules, with no limits either)... can't think of anything more efficient for an ICE, specially diesel that has more internal friction, more parasitic torques due to much higher compression ratios ( and so efficiency of combustion)....

A speculation alright, but i'd love to see it, with fine detail refinement on the aerodynamic front, it would be build for speed... efficient high speeds... La Sarthe and other fast circuits would still be priority.

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

The exhaust outlets (I believe there are two) are actually located forward of the trailing edge of the rear bodywork/rear diffuser, just where the black-coloured extension of the rear-wing support is located. The 2014 Technical Regulations (cf. Article 3.4) do not any more allow exhaust outlet(s) that would open directly at the trailing edge of the rear diffuser (like on the 2011 and 2012 Audi R18). The exhaust outlet(s) now has(have) to be located at least 300mm forward of the trailing edge of the rear diffuser ("No point of these (exhaust) outlets must be situated less than 300 mm from the trailing edge of the rear diffuser").



That's a very nice way of integrating the exhaust outlet(s). Much "cleaner" that Porsche's asymmetric solution

Cleaner yet "typical" ... ummm bi-turbo ?

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by MyNameIsNigel

Not much from what I've heard and could read. In this article (in German) of motorsport-total.com, it is reported that the initial tests by Porsche and Audi show that the LMP1s will still be very quick:


Martin Muehlmeier of Audi is also reported to say that the new LMP1s should achieve similar lap times as last year:


Motorsport-total.com further report that "experts" believe that the 2014 LMP1s could even achieve faster lap times at LM:

I agree with "Motorsport-total"... less weight bettre aerodynamics, "free" engine... yet on the slower circuits it might be slower, less tires less width balance on corners.

[chernaudi]

Autoweek are reporting that the new R18 ran a lap of a 1:48, which was hand-timed, and combined with their reports that Audi were mostly shaking down the car when their staff were there, doesn't tell us much.

Yes, that 1:48 time is 4-5 seconds slower than the "old" R18's record setting lap from this spring (and there's a chance that the cars went faster during post-12 Hour tests there following the race, as a source from within Audi said that the '13 spec car could've been a good three-quarters of a second faster), but it's early days, and this seems to be initially a shake-down test, they'll probably focus on pace later.

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by hcl123

Cleaner yet "typical" ... ummm bi-turbo ?

That might very well be a possibility now that variable geometry turbo´s are forbidden.

[hcl123]

Yes times now are meaningless. Yet Autoweek also reports that the car sounds *just a little louder* ... but since the exhausts are on top of the rear cover now, its not strange, the conclusion being its definitely a diesel ( a petrol would be considerably louder i think).

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by NelisB

That might very well be a possibility now that variable geometry turbo´s are forbidden.

I thought variable geometry turbos (of some kind) were allowed in the latest draft to the rules?

EDIT: Article 5.4.1. of the technical regulations as posted by MulsanneMike a few months ago:

With the exception of devices needed for control of pressure charging systems and/or exhaust turbine geometry, variable geometry exhaust systems are not permitted.

This is the text in the June 2013 draft of the regulations, and to me it seems as if it explicitly ALLOWS variable geometry turbos, it specifically allows systems that alter the geometry of the exhaust turbine. What it bans, in my view, is variable exhaust trumpets.

[hcl123]

Thats my interpretation to. Anything variable in the exhaust system is forbidden, except the turbine(s) that regulate charging pressure... and by being bi-turbo doesn't mean that can't be dual variable geometry turbines, after all the max turbo pressure now is 4 bar, quite above last year.

*More* engine can be so, either more displacement or more turbo pressure, valid for petrol and diesel.

[nkoske]

How are there no shots of the front of the car...probably because the shots aren't 'spy' shots. They're released by the manufacturers to show what they want you to see.

[NelisB]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

I thought variable geometry turbos (of some kind) were allowed in the latest draft to the rules?

EDIT: Article 5.4.1. of the technical regulations as posted by MulsanneMike a few months ago:



This is the text in the June 2013 draft of the regulations, and to me it seems as if it explicitly ALLOWS variable geometry turbos, it specifically allows systems that alter the geometry of the exhaust turbine. What it bans, in my view, is variable exhaust trumpets.

Ah ok that´s my fault for not reading the rules correctly. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought the rules forbade the use of VTG turbo´s and not explicitly allowed them...

[deltawing]

Originally Posted by nkoske

How are there no shots of the front of the car...probably because the shots aren't 'spy' shots. They're released by the manufacturers to show what they want you to see.

These are spy shots and there are shots from the front, but the press is going to slowly release them, day by day, as clicks/traffic is all that counts.

[MihokS5]

Originally Posted by nkoske

How are there no shots of the front of the car...probably because the shots aren't 'spy' shots. They're released by the manufacturers to show what they want you to see.

I know I can't believe we haven't seen a one yet!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by nkoske

How are there no shots of the front of the car...probably because the shots aren't 'spy' shots. They're released by the manufacturers to show what they want you to see.

Originally Posted by deltawing

These are spy shots and there are shots from the front, but the press is going to slowly release them, day by day, as clicks/traffic is all that counts.

I noticed the same 2-3 shots showing up on numerous websites today. So I'm guessing they were all taken by the same person and distributed.

[MyNameIsNigel]

Originally Posted by hcl123

I think the first above photo is even much more distorted, Mulsanne's Corner comparative may be much closer to reality http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsnov13.html

Another try:


Cockpit width is comparable. The nose section however appears to be longer. I don't know if the rules precisely mandate where the driver is supposed to sit, but it seems that the cockpit has been moved rearward a bit. Or this is possibly only due to a repositioning of the windscreen.

Looking at the recent "spy" shots published by Autosport, one can further note that the cockpit roofline is flatter than it used to be on the previous R18. This cockpit shape is distinctively different from that of the Porsche LMP1.