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For the rare "race damaged" variant of the car in GT Sport, see Audi R18 TDI (Le Mans 2011).

"This diesel-powered R18 TDI scored yet another victory for Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2011."
―In-game catch text for the car, from GT7's car collection

The Audi R18 TDI '11 is a Le Mans prototype produced by Audi. It appears in Gran Turismo 6, Gran Turismo Sport, and Gran Turismo 7.

It is the #2, driven by Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Tréluyer, who won the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is reflected in the name it had prior to GT7, Audi R18 TDI (Audi Sport Team Joest) '11.

Colors[]

Only one color is available:

  •   Audi Sport Team Joest

In-game description[]

"You're looking at the Audi's prototype race car called the R18 TDI. Built in 2011, the R18 TDI was primarily used in endurance races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It was raced by Team Joest, which worked closely with Audi in many of its race efforts. Providing the power was a turbocharged 3.7-liter V6 diesel engine that produced 532.5 HP! In the Le Mans race in 2011, it famously battled with Peugeot, where it proved victorious."
―In-game description of the car, from GT7's Brand Central

Car Index (GT7)[]

"Designed with the future in mind. Overall winner of the 2011 Le Mans 24-hour race."

The Audi R18 TDI is a prototype racing car developed by Audi for participation in Endurance races, such as the famed '24 Hours of Le Mans'.

This is a model that takes its heritage from a series of diesel-powered racing cars such as the R10 in 2006 and the R15 in 2009. The major difference between this and previous Audi LMP1 machines is that it features a closed body again, for the first time since the 1999 R8C.

While the previous R15 produced 591 BHP from its 5.5 L V10 turbo engine, the R18 produces 532 BHP from a 3.7 L V6 turbo. The closed body design was utilized to alleviate this loss of power by improving aerodynamics. The reason for these changes is due to the main objective of the car's design to incorporate a near-futuristic hybrid system, which required the car to be as light as possible. This was the main reason for choosing a lighter V6 engine over the more powerful V8 engine allowed in the race regulations. The body is a carbon monocoque and even the gearbox housing was made of carbon to shave off more weight.

Much thought was given to the design of the engine as well. With a 120-degree V6 engine that mounts a single turbo between the cylinder banks, they were able to lower the center of gravity and increase airflow on both sides of the engine.

The car's racing debut was in the second race of the LMS in May 2011. In the pinnacle of the series at the Le Mans 24-hour race, the car from Team Joest driven by Benoît Tréluyer, André Lotterer and Marcel Fässler succeeded in achieving the overall win in the race.

Café Conversations (GT7)[]

Jeremy[]

This Audi takes me back to the 2011 Le Mans 24-hour race. Incredibly, it crossed the finish line and won the competition... A nail-biting 13.845 seconds before the second-place Peugeot. Rarely has Le Mans had such a close race! Although Audi bested Peugeot in terms of speed, the same couldn't be said about fuel efficiency. Peugeot tried to use this to their advantage by taking as few pitstops as possible. So while Audi was making excellent time, it couldn't quite shake Peugeot. But in the end, Audi's speed won out, eking out a victory against its competitor.

Acquisition[]

Game Purchase location Credits Other methods
Gran Turismo 6 Audi Dealership 2,000,000[1] ---
Gran Turismo Sport Audi Brand Central 1,000,000 ---
Gran Turismo 7 Audi Brand Central 3,000,000 ---

Trivia[]

  • A base model version was intended to appear in Gran Turismo 6. However it was cut, either due to time constraints or licensing issues. A thumbnail for said base model can be found inside the game's files.[2]
  • If the default livery is removed upon answering the relevant prompt in the Livery Editor, it will revert to a carbon fiber base, similar to the one used by the Audi R18 TDI Prototype '11.
  • Only the #2 car is available for purchase, most likely due to the #1 and #3 R18s suffering from DNFs during the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans.
  • The color of the front tow hook can be changed in the Livery Editor, in the Body section.

Notes[]

  1. 5,000,000 Credits in version 1.00
  2. Gran Turismo 6/Cars on The Cutting Room Floor
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