So THIS is the format war of our automotive future…:rofl. Enjoy!
Race is next week!
2012 sees a major ‘first’ for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the ACO with the presentation of four new technological approaches to racing here at the circuit this weekend.
The Audi R18 e-tron Quattro is using four-wheel drive and flywheel hybrid technology to store energy, while their close rival in the LM P1 category, the Toyota TS 030 Hybrid, uses a different hybrid system of super capacitors and is two- wheel drive.
Then there is the innovative Delta Wing Nissan with a tiny 1.6 litre turbo-charged engine and a remarkable ‘aero package’ that has to be seen to be believed. The Nissan is in action on track and is running impressively on the pace of the more conventional LM P2 cars.
Finally the Green GT team gave us a first look at their remarkable Green GT H2 which breaks entirely new ground. It is powered by a hydrogen cell and two electric motors driving the rear wheels. Much to the credit of the ACO, they have allocated ‘Pit Garage 56’ to the team and invited the Green GT car to race here at Le Mans in 2013.
As the first test session of the day progresses, the Toyota is right on the pace of the Audis and the Nissan Delta Wing is proving its doubters wrong. The Green GT will be fired up and running at the Silverstone Round of FIA WEC Championship in August, but will not compete.
I am really not sure how hydrogen race cars will react to crashing, I hope they already have that squared away, but the thing is you really never know until one crashes. Having said that, I still thinks the HFC is really the way to go for road vehicles with the already easily adaptable infrastructures and the especially to the way how the vehicles can be refueled.
As much as how “High Tech” our cars are today, we are still essentially using the barbaric 150+ years old “controlled explosion” engine format. :rofl
they use type IV composite tanks. super high strength and they’ve crash tested tanks like that for road going cars already. they’re pretty much bulletproof.
even if the tank did rupture, as long as there is no direct source of ignition at the leak, the hydrogen just quickly rises (much lighter than air) I guess the biggest risk is the high pressure they’re using. likely 10,000psi
Are they running in two classes? I know they’re still running the diesel as well right? I’ve seen posts of the crazy dual outlet turbo they have built for it. Plus now the E-tron quattro.
I think Audi would have some competition if Peugeot was still running. In fact at Sebring this year, Peugeot 2012 cars were there, drivers were en route, when apparently they got a call saying the program was cancelled.
The R18 e-Tron cars are pretty awesome, being diesel-hybrids and all.
Even the regular R18 was upgraded this year (called the R18 Ultra) a little bit (similar to all other year-to-year changes to be competitive. Audi is saying all closed cockpit cars in LMP1 they will ever use will be called R18. They used to change the name when a newer chassis came out (R8, R10, R15).
ALSO: If you all remember The Truth in 24 documentary about Audi Le Mans a few years ago, they just released the "sequel" which is about last year's victory and it is FREE on iTunes (in both HS and SD).
I’m not 100%, but I believe the diesel hybrids will be running in an exhibition class, not an actual competitive one (similar to Porsche running that GT3 hybrid at 24hr of NuR).
They’re running two of each car.
My boy McNish ran the the fastest time during testing… Using the #2 e-Tron car. He put the #1 e-Tron car into a wall just before that though.
They’re still running the non-hybrids in LMP1. See above post of mine for the entry list. All of the Audis are running in LMP1.
What I really find interesting is they’re putting their best drivers in the e-Tron cars. The #1 car has the drivers who won LMP1 last year, and #2 has the famous McNish-Capello-Kristansen trio. The non-hybrid cars have drivers I haven’t heard of lol.
Well the Delta Wing got f’d up by the TS030 driven by Nakajima in a stupid move. I was so rooting for the TS030 up that point and now I wish they are dead last…
