Right on schedule, Audi has pulled the sheets off its next-generation Le Mans prototype. As had been rumored before the unveil, the R18 has abandoned the open-top design of its forefathers – the R8, R10 and R15 Plus – for a closed canopy to improve aerodynamics and reduce driver fatigue. The company hasn’t worked with a clamshell since 1999, and we’re guessing is has more than a little to do with Peugeot’s 2009 Le Mans win. That victory is the only wrinkle in the Audi’s domination of the world’s most difficult motorsports race, and it’s no small coincidence that work on the R18 began in mid 2009.

The R18 gets its grunt from a 3.7-liter TDI V6 engine, and while Audi isn’t saying exactly how much horsepower or torque the oil-burner produces, we have to guess that the figures are nothing to sneeze at. Behind the engine is a new six-speed transmission, though the innovations aren’t simply chained to the drivetrain. Audi used a single-piece construction carbon fiber monocoque to keep weight down and increase stiffness, and those epic all-LED headlights are the first make their way to Le Mans.

While Audi is planning to campaign a total of three R18 racers at the 2011 Le Mans race this summer, the vehicle’s first appearance will be at the six hours of Spa on April 24

The Race of Champions saw more action than usual this past weekend. In the very first round, Heikki Kovalainen managed to stuff his Audi R8 GT into the wall while going head to head against Sebastien Loeb. Kovalainen clipped the inside barrier that separates the two tracks before spinning into a concrete wall, destroying his racer’s suspension and knocking himself unconscious in the process. Kovalainen said that a sticking throttle was the cause of the accident in his Twitter feed, though the video also looks like he simply got too close to the inside barrier.

Fortunately, Kovalainen was not seriously injured during the bang-up. Likewise, his girlfriend, who was riding in the vehicle at the time, walked away from the incident without so much as a scuff as well.

2011 Audi A1 by HS Motorsport
By eauto

In cooperation with Autohaus Kempen (Meckenheim) and other partners, HS Motorsport has built a spectacular project car based on the highly popular Audi A1.

What attracts the eye, first and foremost, is the effect-rich silver finish of the classy small car. The masterfully executed work of the CFC Styling Station in Neuss has ensured an avant garde optical effect. HS Motorsport has given the rear of the vehicle a modified bumper, which appropriately houses the R32-look tailpipes developed and manufactured especially for this project by Fox Sport Exhaust Systems. The classy tailpipes are complemented by a full-throated sporty rumble – almost cocky for a vehicle of this class.

Go-Kart with glamourous wheels

The running gear, from the house of H&R, is also a new development. The team from Lennestädt have made a coilover suspension system for the small Ingolstadt manufacturer’s project vehicle, lowered to 55 mm at the front and 60 mm at the back. This upgrade gives the already snappy A1 a genuine go-kart feeling!

In terms of wheels, HS Motorsport offers plenty of choice – in fact, purchasers are spoilt for choice. Because: Both the classic ASA GT1 rims in black silk matte with a silver accent ring and the edgier ASA GT2 alloy wheels with their seven double spokes (available in either black silk matte or anthracite shine front-polished) appear to be made for the polished Audi. The 8.5 x 18 inch rim sizes remain the same. The 215/35R18 tyre configuration comes from Vredestein (Ultrac Sessanta) or Hankook (Ventus V12 evo).
Sit more comfortably

HS Motorsport has placed two Recaro Sportster CS lightweight bucket seats inside the A1, in carbon and original A1 upholstery, from Recaro Sportline Center Germany. The seat consoles have been manufactured especially for the A1 project by Weinkarth.

HS Motorsport have left the engine capacity of the concept car untouched at 122 hp. The Bavarians do offer increased performance for the Audi A1 1.4 TSI, however. The installation of an additional module generates 25 additional hp, and 50 additional Nm, making a total of 147 hp and 250 Nm available. Also available as an option is an Alpine sound system with navigation unit. In addition, a snappy Brembo braking system is also being developed for the front end of the Audi A1.