Audi LMP1 Discussion

[chernaudi]

Wouldn't make sense for Audi to homologate two tub types, one of which will probably only be used at LM. Lot of time and money unless Audi want to adapt the new tub for the sprint bodywork.

The front of the tub does seem wider, but I also notice some odd shadow like deal that looks like bodywork butting up against that area with the lowered shutter panels.

Or this could be an indication that Audi saw something with the first tub design that they didn't like. But I don't think it's a new tub. It looks kinda like something (additional bodywork/farings) is glued/bonded or pinned on the sides of the existing tub to get the nose to fit they way they wanted it, maybe even part of the nose.

If you look at some photos, you can see what looks to be either a parting line or a different shade of black than the rest of the tub is. Could be a faring that's part of a shutter panel, since it doesn't blend into the tub as if an integral part and it looks like it's some type of flow modifier.

[wewantourdarbyback]

Originally Posted by TF110

Looks a lot like last year's car.

If you look closely, around the lights there is even an apparently blacked out panel in the same shape as the old light fittings...

[gwyllion]

The wider "look" of the nose is merely deception.


source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1778637&type=1

source: http://fourtitude.com/galleries?c=sh...the%20Americas

The tub and the nose cone are the same. Audi is not going to crash test two different noses.

[chernaudi]

No, I think it's a 2014 spec R18 tub there (unless Audi are somehow using a 2013 tub for R&D purposes, which is doubtful), but there's something off with suggesting that the tub's wider. The wider sections seem like added on bodywork to me, because of the different coloration compared to the tub. They could be glued on, fitted to one of the nose locator pins, or part of one of the shutter panels.

That could be possible, since I don't think that on the sprint R18s the rear shutter panels are detachable with the nosebox/front diffuser assembly.

EDIT: @Gwyllion: I though that it was either some non- or semi-permanent fairing/part of the shutter panels or maybe an illusion caused by the lowered shutter panels.

As I also pointed out, wouldn't make a lot of sense for Audi to spent a lot of time, energy and money to build two different tub types at this stage.

[gwyllion]

The rear fender on the LM aero is longer than on the WEC aero. And the brake cooling has also moved.


source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1778637&type=1

source: http://fourtitude.com/galleries?c=sh...the%20Americas

[chernaudi]

There's also a much different pontoon fender vent in its side, and the top one also seems much different, and the side strake is much reduced in height--almost non-existent, in fact.

LM spec looks better than I expected. Looks like last years LM package adapted for the new rules, with the front fenders like a blend of the old R18 LM package with a more than subtle hint of TS040 LM package.

Wonder how much of this might be used for a refined post-LM sprint package?

[gwyllion]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

R18 front diffuser analysis:

http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmarch14.html

Mike suggests that Audi might not have an adjustable front wing either.

I suppose the flap is adjustable though I can't make out any pivoting slot gap adjusters. The only ones visible appear clearly fixed with no means of adjustment and machined feet where they mate with the mainplane.

[chernaudi]

On the tub issue between sprint an LM versions:

Problem is also that we've never gotten to see any good shots of the R18's front end without the nosebox on it. Either people were clustered around the front of the car, it had the set up/suspension tuning box attached to the front of the monocoque, or, often, both.

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The wider "look" of the nose is merely deception.


source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1778637&type=1

source: http://fourtitude.com/galleries?c=sh...the%20Americas

The tub and the nose cone are the same. Audi is not going to crash test two different noses.

Why not ? ... if there is a part that is easy to make many different setups is the nose section.

But there is more... don't know how much of the all front section, this easily replaceable nose section encompasses... the attachments indicated by the red arrows seems in the same positions (tough the original in the below image doesn't have this red arrows)... but , how we say in English, the front plates that have the Michelin doll, that in the original tub (below) end practically on the same level of the words Mahle and Bosch, on this new tub at Monza end much lower, that is this plates are visible less inclined... does it mean a *different new* tub ? ... not only the front section ?

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The rear fender on the LM aero is longer than on the WEC aero. And the brake cooling has also moved.


source: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...1778637&type=1

source: http://fourtitude.com/galleries?c=sh...the%20Americas

An the rear section is not only "long tail"... the section that prolongs in front of the rear fender and that has the rear brakes cooling air intakes... on the *new tub at monza" prolongs even further in front and doesn't seem to have the rear brake cooling air intake in the same position..

Also the lateral air diffusers just behind the front fenders are quite different in the "new Monza tub".

Could this be a totally *different tub* just besides easily replaceable ( and so modifiable) front a rear section ?

Also i don't remember if it was written in some article, the engine is 4L and is a 2 MJ class, but does it have a MGU-H or not ?

An MGU-H could be like an additional auxiliary "alternator", they could even have a less size less drag normal alternator attached to the engine, and then run everything else, all other ancillary pumps & systems by electric means... doubt with 4L that the turbo presuure will be superior to the 2.8 bar of 2013, and up to the 5 bar or more that is possible, there is plenty of energy in that exhaust flow for this electric trick, that could compensate plenty having only 2MJ hybrid.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by hcl123

Also i don't remember if it was written in some article, the engine is 4L and is a 2 MJ class, but does it have a MGU-H or not ?

An MGU-H could be like an additional auxiliary "alternator", they could even have a less size less drag normal alternator attached to the engine, and then run everything else, all other ancillary pumps & systems by electric means... doubt with 4L that the turbo presuure will be superior to the 2.8 bar of 2013, and up to the 5 bar or more that is possible, there is plenty of energy in that exhaust flow for this electric trick, that could compensate plenty having only 2MJ hybrid.

It was written when they launched the damn car, there is no MGU-H.

[chernaudi]

Also with the tub issue, it as to be remembered that Audi did distort the early press photos, something they didn't do after they launched the car in Dec.

It seems in newer photos, the tubs are exactly the same.

[hcl123]

Also from an hear measurement lol... after a slow "s", presumably since 1th gear ratio

Sebring test ( seems high downforce load setup)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIDsi-M5B28

Monza test ( by end of video)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDcCs48cv64

In acceleration after the slow "s", the Monza setup seems, *sounds* is better said, more spaced in changing the gear ratios from 1th gear (presumably). This might indicate a different gear box setup (gear relation ratios) and with it a different engine mapping.

The car also seems quicker accelerating... this can be quite an upgrade...

[hcl123]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

It was written when they launched the damn car, there is no MGU-H.

Yes i suspected... even for what i mentioned above a MGU-H might not be the best approach, or better said too complicated yet... but an "exhaust alternator" working in the wastegate bypass ducting like Porsche could be there now... something to outbalance the deficit of having only 2MJ hybrid... and at Silverstone the irritating whining of that flywheel energy storage was constant, add a 50V battery on the high voltage lines and there is all you need.

[Bandicoot17]

[lms]

Originally Posted by nobster

Does that car look way better in black!

it doesnt

[J Jay]

So from MWM, we have confirmation that the software systems regulating the fuel flow 3-lap average activated on one of the R18s, out of the final corner. I assume this was Di Grassi early on, hence Davidson and Lotterer going off-track in avoidance?

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by J Jay

So from MWM, we have confirmation that the software systems regulating the fuel flow 3-lap average activated on one of the R18s, out of the final corner. I assume this was Di Grassi early on, hence Davidson and Lotterer going off-track in avoidance?

Yeah. TK mentioned it in his sportscar365 column too.

[gwyllion]

Bandicoot17 is referring to http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/k...stone-debrief/

[gwyllion]

The LM aero package has a lot of detail changes behind the front fender.

[MulsanneMike]

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The LM aero package has a lot of detail changes behind the front fender.

Single element rear wing...

[PointDSM]

That car is pure sex in flat black! Pure....fricken....sex!

Whatever happened to race cars being brutally mean machines, in addition to being pieces of art?

[TF110]

Originally Posted by PointDSM

That car is pure sex in flat black! Pure....fricken....sex!

Whatever happened to race cars being brutally mean machines, in addition to being pieces of art?

Sponsors? The rulebook?

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by PointDSM

That car is pure sex in flat black! Pure....fricken....sex!

Whatever happened to race cars (1)being brutally mean machines, in addition to (2)being pieces of art?

Indeed...

(1)




(2)

[MyNameIsNigel]

Interesting video of the new car testing at Monza. it would also seem that the exhaust layout has been revised. It does seem that the twin exhaust outlet at the base of the rear wing support has disappeared.

[MyNameIsNigel]

I am still wondering/investigating about whether or not the monocoque of the Audi R18 "Langheck" is different from that of the sprint version. I agree that it does not really make sense to design and homologate two different tubs, but there do seem to be differences between the two versions.

Besides, looking at the following pictures that were taken at the Prologue, it does seem that the relevant section of the monocoque is not covered by any bodywork panel, but appears to be the painted/coated surface of the monocoque itself:



(source: endurance-info.com, photos by Laurent Chauveau)