30 cars and 90 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1/30 : Audi R18 e-tron quattro (2012)

On the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest has selected thirty historic cars grouped into three per decade, all up for public vote by race fans. To participate, click HERE and choose one per decade. The vote is  open until the 15th of January 2013. Each of the thirty cars will have a short introduction here. Today it is the Audi R18 e-tron quattro that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2012.

This is the most recent car in the 90th anniversary vote, but it has already entered the history books: the Audi R18 e-tron quattro is the first hybrid prototype to win the 24 Hours. A feat all the more remarkable bearing in mind that it was its first Le Mans. The Audi R18 e-tron quattro uses diesel hybrid technology, with a rear mounted turbo diesel engine and two electric motors mounted on the front, momentarily transforming the car into four wheel drive. After scoring the eleventh success in La Sarthe for Audi, Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer also conquered the FIA World Endurance Championship drivers title at the wheel of the R18 e-tron quattro.

Year : 80th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (16 & 17 June 2012)
Number of cars entered : Two
Technical Information :
3.7 litre V6 turbo diesel + two electric motors, one on each front wheel (75kW each – additional 200hp)

Drivers :
Marcel Fässler-André Lotterer-Benoît Tréluyer (n°1)
Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish (n°2)
Race Results :
1st (Marcel Fässler-André Lotterer-Benoît Tréluyer) and 2nd (Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish)