For this year’s 24h Le Mans race, Audi has prepared the second generation of the R15 TDI diesel race sports car, which had won in the same race in 2006. Audi tweaked the vehicle, trimming it and installing several updates that are focused on higher efficiency.

The vehicle, dubbed the “R15 plus” has been able to maintain the output of its 5.5 liter V12 engine ( over 620 hp), despite the tougher regulations. In addition, the aerodynamics were revised and trimmed to improve its speed. The radiator package was repositioned and the cockpit now offers improved ergonomics. Racing at night for this racecar is not a problem since it uses additional LED lights borrowed from the R8 supercar. The R15 plus has passed several tests covering over 40,000 kilometers since March 2010. These sessions include two endurance runs of 30 hours each and aerodynamic test performed in the wind tunnel. The racecar also went through tracks and airfields simulations on an artificially dirtied race track. Its radiators were also tested on how they would face soiling. Furthermore, it underwent two test races in the Le Mans Series at Le Castellet and Spa-Francorchamps and a final test in Southern France at the end of May.

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