Put another feather in Audi's cap, as they won the 2006 running of the prestigious 24 hour Le Mans endurance race. This was the first time that a diesel has won this race. The new Audi R10 TDI, which is fitted with a 650 horsepower V12, was the fastest and most economical racers out there. The winning car was piloted by Frank Biela (Germany), Emanuele Pirro (Italy) and Marco Werner (Germany)...
This was the sixth Audi Le mans win, but the first using a diesel. Another Audi came in 3rd.
Snippet: The fans on the race track and a worldwide audience of millions of TV viewers saw an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI Power and the performance of modern diesel engines. The brace of Audi R10 TDI cars, powered by a 650 hp V12 TDI engine, were by far the fastest and most economical cars. During the entire race, one of the new diesel sportscars from Ingolstadt was at the head of the field. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen drove the fastest lap of the race, setting a 3m 31.211s time, and he was the first driver at the wheel of an LM P1 sportscar to cover 16 laps with one fuel load. Completing 380 laps, Audi also set a new distance record.
Snippet: The fans on the race track and a worldwide audience of millions of TV viewers saw an impressive demonstration of Audi TDI Power and the performance of modern diesel engines. The brace of Audi R10 TDI cars, powered by a 650 hp V12 TDI engine, were by far the fastest and most economical cars. During the entire race, one of the new diesel sportscars from Ingolstadt was at the head of the field. Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen drove the fastest lap of the race, setting a 3m 31.211s time, and he was the first driver at the wheel of an LM P1 sportscar to cover 16 laps with one fuel load. Completing 380 laps, Audi also set a new distance record.
my5tvette says:
09:34 PM, 06/19/06
Can GM make a diesel engine that can run In LeMans. How about a 650 hp diesel Vette. insted of making a new super ZO6!
That would be a great challangefor GM to produce... like to see it
ateixeira says:
11:06 AM, 06/21/06
This is huge. Diesels are supposed to be slow. ;-)