Paris, France – Audi's new R10 race-car will be the first diesel-powered race-car to compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The R10 is powered by a completely new, all-aluminum 5.5-litre 12-cylinder bi-turbo TDI engine that makes over 650 horsepower.
Audi plans to use the car both for racing and research; the company's TFSI technology triumphed initially at Le Mans before being adopted for mass production. The R10's diesel presented numerous challenges, including high injection pressure, an unusually low rev range for a racing engine, and enormous torque that required a special transmission. The R10 successfully completed its first test at the end of November and an extensive program, including the 12-hour race at Sebring in March, is scheduled before the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2006.
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