Audi Competes With Diesel Sports Car At Le Mans.

[PerfAdv]

A diesel running at Le Mans will do wonders for the image of diesel powered cars, especially in countries where diesels aren't widely accepted. Good going Audi. Let's see if there'll be a bandwagon effect in 2007.

[Gabman]

www.crusher.dk/r10.asx

Watch this video. There should be car sounds about 1.18.33, but the video does not work on my computer.

[PBB]

Originally Posted by Piacki_117

Who has had this stupid idea? Run in Le Mans with a diesel-engined car! They are crazy!!!!

Building Le Mans cars is about the challenge of innovation. Unlike NASCAR and other worthless spec series that do nothing/little for the car manufacturers *cough*F1*cough*, having a successful inhouse Le Mans program is one the best ways to develope, test and prove new technology while creating great publicity at the same time.

As an example of how not to run a Le Mans program, look at the Cadillac LMP. It was never a very successful car and one the main reasons GM pulled the plug was the mounting pressure to develope a competitive GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) system. GM decided it wasn't worth the effort and killed the Cadillac LMP. Instead of devoloping GDI to compete with the Germans and Japanese, GM will be behind in the technology when it becomes more prevelant in road cars. In ten years, I wouldn't be surprised to see GM buying GDI engines from Mitsubishi or something crazy like that.

So in short, does Audi need to run a diesel at Le Mans? Absolutely not.
Does Audi need to refine and further develope their diesel engines? Absolutely yes and what better way than by racing?