Audi R10 TDI

The Audi R10 TDI, usually abbreviated to R10, is a

diesel-powered racing car from the German car
Audi R10 TDI
manufacturer Audi. The car dominated Le Mans,
winning each year from its 2006 introduction until it
was replaced by the R15 in 2009. It was designed and
constructed for sports car racing in the Le Mans
Prototype LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans,
and other similar endurance races. The car was
unveiled December 13, 2005 at 12:00 CET,[3] and
went on to win both its maiden race at the 2006 12
Hours of Sebring in March, and the June 2006 24
Hours of Le Mans.

It was the first diesel to win either of those events. At

$15 million a year it was the most ambitious and most Audi R10 TDI at the Neckarsulm AudiForum
expensive project ever undertaken by Audi Sport.[4] Category Sports car racing -
Le Mans Prototype LMP1
Constructor Audi AG
Contents Predecessor Audi R8
Chassis Successor Audi R15 TDI
Weight Technical specifications
Engine Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Diesels racing at Le Mans
Suspension Double wishbone, torsion
R10 results (front) bar with separate damper,
2006 anti-roll bar
2007
Suspension Double wishbone, torsion
2008 (rear) bar with separate damper,
2009 anti-roll bar
2010
Length 4,650 mm (183 in)
See also
Width 2,000 mm (79 in)
References
Height 1,030 mm (41 in)
External links
Wheelbase 2,980 mm (117 in)
Engine Audi 5.5 L (336 cu in) V12
Chassis TDI DPF twin-turbo, mid-
engined, longitudinally
The Audi R10 TDI race car was built to supersede the mounted
Audi R8 racer, a proven model which had won five Transmission Xtrac-Audi 5-speed
times at Le Mans since 2000 and earned a reputation as pneumatically paddle-
one of the most successful racing cars of all time. In actuated sequential semi-
later years the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO),
automatic race gearbox + 1
which sets the rules for racing in the Le Mans 24
Hours, had reduced the restrictor size on the engine, reverse gear,[1] adjustable
and stipulated the R8 carry ballast, to make the races multi-plate limited-slip
more competitive. In response to the new level of differential
competition, the development of a successor was
Power 476 kW (638 hp) at 5000
necessary.
rpm[2]
Though it does show a strong resemblance to the Weight 925 kg (2,039 lb) overall
previous model, it is a new design. The aerodynamics including driver and helmet
package is in compliance with the new regulations. A
second rollover hoop is added, and the wheelbase is Fuel Shell V-Power ULG 66L/2
lengthened to accept the new, longer V12 TDI TDI Diesel 20 RON
engine. The design and aerodynamics were developed Lubricants Shell Helix Diesel Ultra 5W-
by Audi, utilising the Fondtech wind tunnel. The 40 PurePlus Technology
monocoque is built by Audi 90% and Dallara 10%, as
Tires Michelin
well with various suppliers manufacturing all the
components and subassemblies. The cars are then Competition history
assembled by Audi at Ingolstadt.[5] Notable Audi Sport Team Joest

entrants Audi Sport North

Weight America
Kolles
At the beginning of the 2006 season, homologation Notable drivers Frank Biela,

rules for Le Mans Prototypes (LMP) cars were Marco Werner,

changed, for the LMP1 class, an increase in minimum Emanuele Pirro,

weight from 900  kg to 925  kg was mandated. While Rinaldo Capello,

officially this was to allow closed top prototypes to run

Allan McNish,

with air-conditioning (as this would have added weight

Tom Kristensen,

over open top cars), some have speculated that this was
done at the behest of Audi to allow the R10 to be Andrew Meyrick,

competitive.[6] Charles Zwolsman,

Michael Krumm,

The R10 TDI in the 2006 12 Hours of Sebring was Christian Bakkerud,

overweight at 935  kg (2,061.3  lb), preventing Christijan Albers,

engineers from using ballast to optimize handling and Narain Karthikeyan,

balance.[7] André Lotterer,

Mike Rockenfeller
Engine Debut 2006 12 Hours of Sebring

Unlike most racing cars competing in the LMP1 series, Races Wins Poles F/Laps
the R10 TDI is powered by a diesel engine, with two
48 36 12 13
parallel turbochargers and utilizes the Turbocharged
Direct Injection (TDI) technology. The engine block Constructors' 4 (American Le Mans 2006,
has a displacement of 5.5L in V12 configuration made Championships 2007, 2008, Le Mans Series
of aluminium, employing common rail direct fuel
2008)
injection technology. The turbochargers are supplied by
Garrett AiResearch, with 39.9  mm (1.57  in) restrictor Drivers' 4 (American Le Mans 2006,
plates mounted in front of the intake. Championships 2007, 2008, Le Mans Series
2008)
The V12 engine is rumored to weigh more than 200 kg
(441 lb).[8] This is heavier than the 130 kg (287 lb) of a concurrent Judd V10, and even the 180 kg (397 lb)
of the Ricardo turbodiesel prototype based on it.[9] Audi engineers say that the weight per cylinder is the
 same as the preceding 3.6-litre FSI V8 of the Audi R8.[10]
The wheelbase has been increased over the R8 to
2,980 mm (117.3 in) to accommodate the longer engine.

Even with a larger-than-necessary restrictor plate, the car is

rumoured to produce 700  hp (522  kW; 710  PS) in
qualification, limited by the fuel combustion quality. This
output cannot be maintained in races because it may cause
a clogged diesel particulate filter. The peak pressure in the
cylinder is probably around 200 bar, compared with 85 bar
for an atmospheric petrol engine.[11]
The R10's 5.5 litre V12 TDI diesel engine.
Large grey mechanical components on the
lower left are the diesel particulate filters Diesels racing at Le Mans
developed with Audi by Dow Automotive.
Audi's decision to use a diesel engine emphasizes the
commercial success of Turbocharged Direct Injection
(TDI) turbodiesel engine (and its competitors) on Europe's roads. Diesels have been successfully used in
other forms of racing as well, as their broad power band and fuel economy can prove advantageous, while
in turn, the higher weight and lower rotational speed of the engine requiring new power transmissions are
the disadvantages. The rules had to accommodate the need for a high capacity engine with a turbocharger
and high boost, whereas both possibilities are no longer allowed for gasoline engines, as these had
developed over 1,000 hp (746 kW; 1,014 PS) in several race series of the past.

It is not, however, the first diesel to be raced at Le Mans. The first diesel-engined car to qualify and race in
the 24-hour event was a French entry in 1949, the first race held after the Second World War. The car was
the Delettrez Diesel entered by brothers Jean and Jacques Delettrez, and was a 4395 cc 6-cylinder. It did
not finish, running out of fuel about half way into the race.

Delettrez entered again in 1950, as did another diesel car, the MAP. Again, both cars did not finish due to
engine problems, a cooling system leak in the case of the MAP. The MAP was interesting in that it was the
first mid-engined car to race at Le Mans; the engine was located immediately behind the driver, and was a
four-cylinder opposed piston two-stroke with rocking levers connected to a single crank, similar to the later
Commer TS3 engine.[12]

In 2004, a Lola equipped with a Caterpillar re-badged V10 TDI ran for a few hours before breaking its
clutch. Peugeot competed with its new diesel effort in 2007 in its 908 HDi FAP race car.

R10 results

2006

On 18 March 2006, the #2 Audi R10 won the 54th annual 12

Hours of Sebring after earning pole position by setting a qualifying
record. The #1 car did not finish due to an overheating problem.
On the day after the Sebring victory an R10 flipped over during
testing while running through Turn One. However the R10 would
not complete the most of the season. The Audi R8, completed most
of the season with the R10 returning to race in the different Le One of three Audi R10s at the 2007
Mans Races (Le Mans 24 Hrs, Petit Le Mans etc.) 24 Hours of Le Mans
On 18 June 2006, the #8 Audi R10 placed first at the 2006 24 Hours of Le Mans, completing 380 laps,
more than the R8 did, but less than the record set in 1971. The #7 Audi R10, which set fastest lap times in
practice and race, came in third after suffering injector pump damage, completing 367 laps.

Due to the sheer Audi dominance, the IMSA instantly made changes to the rules in the season. The Audi
was not pegged back but competitors were helped to push their pace up to the Audi level. All LMP1
petrols were to be run at 860 kg and had their fuel tank increased to 95 liters. Dyson, Zytek, Creation and
Porsche all have outqualified the Audi at one point during the season, but Audi were able to overcome the
restriction deficit to take every win.

On 30 September 2006, the #2 Audi R10 won the 9th annual Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road
Atlanta in Georgia. The win was seventh in a row for Audi in Petit Le Mans, but first for the R10 model.
The #1 car was not running at the finish due to late race collision with another car resulting in damaged
front suspension. #1 car was still classified in seventh place overall.

2007

On 17 March 2007, the #2 Audi R10 won the 55th annual

12 Hours of Sebring. The #1 car finished 2nd in its class
(LMP1) and 4th overall.[13] The R10 remained undefeated in
American Le Mans Series competition until April 14, 2007,
at the Long Beach Grand Prix; where it finished seventh
overall to the Porsche RS Spyders of Penske and Dyson
Racing. The car still won the LMP1 class.

IMSA had made changes to the category again. Under

pressure from Audi and the ACO, LMP1 cars were now Audi R10, Le Mans 2007
meant to have at least a 1.5% performance advantage over
LMP2. The ACO reserves the right to make changes to
specific cars if this was not happening. Throughout the season, the Penske Porsche RS Spyder won 8
overall victories against the Audi R10 which only won 4. The ALMS track nature suited the lighter and
more nimble P2 cars more, which was evident as Audi loses time in the corners to the Porsche. At Petit Le
Mans, Capello was able to use his speed advantage to overtake Dumas in the last half an hour. McNish and
Capello won by 0.9 seconds. At Laguna Seca they won over the #7 Porsche by 0.4 seconds

It is undefeated at the 24 hours of Le Mans, having successfully defended its 2006 victory. On June 17,
2007, the #1 R10 finished first overall, overcoming the loss of two of the three team cars and defeating a
new challenge from the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP diesels. The #3 Audi was put out of the race by driver error,
crashing into a wall, whereas the #2 car suffered a wheel failure at approximately 300 km/h (186 mph) and
collided with a barrier. Video pictures showed the car being dropped prematurely during a prior pit stop
with the wheel in question not being properly attached, but Audi's official statement is that the incident was
not the fault of the pitcrew, as the car had been on track for over 50 minutes since its tires were last
changed. At Le Mans it was obvious that the R10 was faster than the Peugeot 908 on the straights and
much more stable in the corners.

According to ACO's official data, the Audi R10 TDi reached a top speed of 329 km/h (204 mph) on the
Mulsanne Straight in the 2006 race. In 2007, while changing their pace in order to beat Peugeot, the Audi
R10 TDi hit 339 km/h (211 mph) on the Mulsanne Straight, which was faster than any other car in the race.
The R10 TDi also set the best lap of the race at 3:27.176.
The car seems to have managed a top speed of
354 km/h (220 mph) in practice at Le Mans in 2007, which would be the absolute speed record of an LMP
car at Le Mans (since LMP's only run from the introduction of the two Mulsanne chicanes on).
At the car's
official launch in Paris, 2006, the Audi R10 TDi was presented as capable of reaching a top speed in the
region of 370 km/h (230 mph)

2008

For the 2008 season, Audi entered the Le Mans Series for the first time. Joest Racing entered two cars to
compete against Peugeot's two-car entry over the five race season. Peugeot led the championships early,
winning the first three races prior to the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A new sub-wing was introduced at Spa.
This maintains the same level of downforce but less drag.

At Le Mans, Audi won for their third consecutive time with the R10. The #2 car driven by Rinaldo
Capello, Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen took the chequered flag on lap 381 ahead of the #7 Peugeot,
with a margin of just over 4 minutes. The other two Audi entries finished fourth and sixth overall. Peugeot
brought their seasoned 908 HDi FAP and qualified within the 3:18 range while Audi struggled to get under
the 3:23 mark. In the race itself the Peugeot was still up to 3.5 seconds a lap faster but quick pit work by
Audi and the superior performance by the R10 in the rain saw Audi winning Le Mans.

Returning to the Le Mans Series for the final two races of the year, Peugeot won once again at the
Nürburgring and maintaining their lead in the championships. However, accidents for Peugeot and a win
by the #1 Audi of Rinaldo Capello and Allan McNish at the Silverstone finale allowed the Audi team to
win the Constructors Championship, while the #2 Audi of Mike Rockenfeller and Alexandre Prémat
earned the Drivers and Teams Championships.

Audi also continued their participation in the American Le Mans Series. As in the year before, Audi fought
against the Penske Racing Porsches for overall race wins, but unlike before they now had to contend with
the multiple Acura teams. Porsche managed to end Audi's streak of seven straight victories at the 12 Hours
of Sebring, but Audi rebounded with overall wins in the next two events. Three more overall victories were
earned by Audi by time the series reached the Detroit Sports Car Challenge. Audi not only failed to win the
race overall, but following a rule infraction, neither car finished in the LMP1 category. This was the first
time that the Audi R10 failed to win in LMP1, and the first LMP1 loss by Audi since 2005. At Petit Le
Mans, Allan McNish overtook Christian Klien in the Peugeot on the penultimate lap and held on to the
win.

2009

In the 2009 season, the R10 TDI was replaced by the R15 TDI with a
smaller, lighter, more-efficient TDI engine; however, Audi
concentrated on the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Deutsche Tourenwagen
Masters (DTM; German Touring Car Masters) efforts. The new car,
however, ran in the 2009 12 Hours of Sebring before preparing for Le
Mans. The Audi R10's wing was limited by the 2009 regulations. In
early 2009, Colin Kolles announced that his team will run privately
entered Audi R10 TDI's in that year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, and
Kolles' R10 TDI competing in its
possibly the Le Mans Series. The deal included factory assistance for
debut race, the 2009 1000 km of
servicing the cars.[14] At Le Mans, the Audi R10 best finished 7th
Catalunya
overall, a few laps down on the highest petrol finisher Lola-Aston
Martin which ranked 4th overall.

2010
Kolles fielded 2 Audi R10 in their final year at the Le Mans 24 Hours, on 14 June 2010. Unlike the factory
Audi and Peugeot LMP1, the Kolles R10 was not hampered by the new restrictor regulations which should
have shaved off 60 bhp from the diesel-powered prototypes. The cars qualified 3:30, just behind the two
Lola Astons. Both cars failed to finish because too much strain from torque was put onto the gearbox.

See also
Diesel automobile racing

References
1. "Audi R10 TDI Race Car" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090615201939/http://www.rsportsc
ars.com/audi/audi-r10-tdi-race-car/). rsportscars.com. Archived from the original (http://www.r
sportscars.com/audi/audi-r10-tdi-race-car/) on 2009-06-15. Retrieved 2009-06-06.
2. Helmut Tschöke, Klaus Mollenhauer, Rudolf Maier (ed.): Handbuch Dieselmotoren, 8th
edition, Springer, Wiesbaden 2018, ISBN 978-3-658-07696-2, p. 10
3. "Audi Competes with Diesel Sports Car at Le Mans" (http://www.audiworld.com/news/05/r1
0/) (Press release). Audi Communication Motorsport via AudiWorld.com. 2005-12-13.
4. Bill Center (2007-04-19). "San Diegan isn't discouraged about not being able to gain on rich
Audi team" (http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/20070419-9999-1s19motors.html). San
Diego Union-Tribune.
5. Michael J. Fuller. "2006 Audi R10" (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/audir10.html).
Mulsanne's Corner.
6. Mulsanne's Corner News (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsdec05.html), 12.12.05,
Michael J. Fuller
7. Mulsanne's Corner News (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/newsmarch06.html), 3.25.06,
Michael J. Fuller
8. 2006 Audi R10 (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/audir10-5.html), Michael J. Fuller,
Mulsanne's Corner, 2006
9. Ricardo-Judd Diesel V10 (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/ricardojuddv10.html),
Mulsanne's Corner, 2003
10. Racing Toward Relevance (http://www.autofieldguide.com/articles/050601.html) Archived (ht
tps://web.archive.org/web/20060521221602/http://autofieldguide.com/articles/050601.html)
2006-05-21 at the Wayback Machine, Christopher A. Sawyer, Automotive Design &
Production, May 2006
11. John Judd interview (2007-07-17). "Compression or Spark?" (https://web.archive.org/web/20
070928202111/http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/articles/17-07-07_1). Energy Efficient
Motorsport. Archived from the original (http://www.eemsonline.co.uk/articles/17-07-07_1) on
2007-09-28. Retrieved 2007-07-18.
12. "The MAP Diesel" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100522123522/http://www.commer.org.nz/
Commer_Connections/MAP_diesel.html). Commer Connections. Archived from the original
(http://www.commer.org.nz/Commer_Connections/MAP_diesel.html) on 2010-05-22.
Retrieved 2010-06-13.
13. 55th Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Final Race Results (http://www.imsaracing.ne
t/2007/events/sebring/alms/ALMS_FinalRace.pdf) Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20
090320045611/http://www.imsaracing.net/2007/events/sebring/alms/ALMS_FinalRace.pdf)
2009-03-20 at the Wayback Machine, IMSA, 03/17/07
14. Simon Strang (2009-01-19). "Kolles to run privateer Audis in LMS" (http://www.autosport.co
m/news/report.php/id/72861). autosport.com.
External links
Audi.com (http://www.audi.com) corporate website
Audi R10 TDI (https://web.archive.org/web/20071223115221/http://www.audi.com/audi/com/
en2/experience/motorsport_events/Audi_R10_TDI.html)
[1] (http://www.mulsannescorner.com/audir10.html) Mulsanne's Corner's R10 dossier
[2] (https://web.archive.org/web/20080606043034/http://www.racecar-engineering.com/articl
es/sportscar/257651/audi-r10-tdi.html) R10 technical review
[3] (http://www.automanifesto.com/2008/05/audi-r10-on-display.html) R10 close up photos

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