Last month, we wrote to you about Audi’s plans to join this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, hoping to bag another trophy. Well, Audi’s E-Tron technology used on its R18 E-Tron Quattro hybrid car proved to be very reliable indeed as the team won the race. The R18 E-Tron Quattro is the first hybrid to win the prestigious French endurance race. The Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro landed in the first place while another diesel-powered car from Audi placed third. Driving the R18 are Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer, and Benoit Treyuler.
They were able to complete 378 laps in 24 hours. The R18 E-Tron Quattro is powered by a 3.7-liter turbodiesel V6, assisted by an electric motor. The diesel powers the rear wheels, while the electric motor powers the fronts. Unlike most hybrids, which carry heavy batteries to store their electricity, the R18 uses a spinning flywheel. Le Mans, on the other hand, is one of oldest and most challenging races on the international circuit. The 24-hour endurance race puts both man and machine to the test.