One to Buy: ex-works 2011 Audi R18 TDI Ultra
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With 13 victories from 15 attempts between 2000 and 2014, Audi’s early 21st century domination at the Le Mans 24 Hours was of a manner hitherto unseen. Of the German firm’s two losses, one came at the hands of their Bentley subsidiary (in 2003) which meant Peugeot were the only company to defeat the Volkswagen Audi Group at la Sarthe in a decade-and-a-half of racing (in 2009)
During this period, Audi adapted their LMP1 cars to meet several regulation changes.
For 2011, the R18 TDI Ultra was created to race at la Sarthe and that year’s Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. It was powered by a 532bhp 3.7-litre single turbo V6 hooked up to six-speed electronically-controlled gearbox.
Although Peugeot went on to dominate the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (scoring six wins from seven races with their 908), Audi’s Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer took the arguably more important victory at Le Mans. They crossed the line less than 14 seconds ahead of the chasing Peugeot in the what was the fourth closest finish recorded.
Currently on offer at the Art & Revs showroom in Howald, Luxembourg, is one of the six remaining R18 TDI Ultras (two were destroyed in spectacular high speed accidents at the 2011 Le Mans race).
Chassis 100 was used for testing and development duty and also served as the T-car at several Intercontinental Le Mans Cup races. Having subsequently been dressed up to resemble a 2013 model for promotional purposes, chassis 100 was then restored by Audi Sport to its original configuration.
