One to Buy: 2011 Audi R18 TDI Ultra
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.
Reprinted below is Art & Revs’ description for this incredible piece of Audi Le Mans history:
2011 non Hybrid specs 1 of only 6 remaining
Fully rebuilt at Audi Sport and ready to race
An absolute Le Mans icon
Art & Revs presents the only fully functioning R18 TDI Ultra in private hands – the 2011 non-hybrid version – ready to take back to the track.
The R18 was unveiled at Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt on 10 December 2010 and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans the following summer with Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer at the helm. The #2 Audi Sport Team Joest machine beat Peugeot’s 908 by under 14 seconds. The other two R18s were destroyed in spectacular accidents, with Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller fortunate to walk away unscathed. The one remaining R18 managed to fend off the four Peugeots to claim Audi’s 10th Le Mans victory in 12 years, and the team finished second in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup championship that season.
Like its predecessor, the R18 uses a turbocharged diesel engine, but with a reduced capacity of 3.7 litres in a V6 configuration, which produces 532bhp. While that’s less than the V10-powered R15, fuel economy is superior and it’s 25kg lighter. In contrast to previous Audi LMP engines, the V6 has a single Garrett TR30R turbocharger with variable turbine geometry, and the engine exhausts inwards between the cylinder banks, where the turbo is placed, creating a ‘hot vee’.
The R18 TDI is equipped with many innovative solutions,” said Dr Ulrich, proudly. “It was built for regulations specifically targeting future technologies – and with the background enabling these technologies to be introduced into road-going cars in the future. This is what makes sport prototypes so interesting for Audi.”
The R18 offered for sale by Art & Revs is chassis no.100, from its debut campaign. This car was used for testing and FIA homologation, and then became a reserve chassis at several ILMC races. It’s one of only eight cars built and six still in existence.
Chassis 100 was later adapted to look like a 2013 hybrid car for media purposes. It was then completely rebuilt, restored to 2011 spec. On these cars the engine life time is said to be approximately of 10,000 kilometres and the gearbox 7,000 kilometres.
Built to the highest level of quality ever seen on a prototype, this is the only R18 which is fully functional with its ECU in place. All other R18s were sold non-functional. Thanks to not having the later hybrid power unit, this car is much easier to use and maintain than its cousins.
Audi has won Le Mans 13 times and with this car, a lucky new owner will be able to relieve the glory days of the decade past – a golden era of Le Mans Prototypes.
