Audi Le Mans quattro
The Audi Le Mans quattro is a concept car, developed by German automobile manufacturer Audi, for presentation at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show, in order to celebrate Audi's three successive wins at the arduous 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 2000, 2001, and 2002. It was the third and final concept car designed by Audi in 2003, following the Pikes Peak quattro and the Nuvolari quattro.[1][2]
| Audi Le Mans quattro | |
|---|---|
 Audi Le Mans quattro concept car | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Audi AG |
| Production | 2003 |
| Assembly | Neckarsulm, Germany |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Concept car |
| Body style | 2-door coupé |
| Layout | Mid engine, quattro permanent all-wheel drive |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.0 L DOHC twin-turbocharged TFSI V10 |
| Transmission | 6-speed sequential manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,649 mm (104.3 in) |
| Length | 4,369 mm (172.0 in) |
| Width | 1,900 mm (74.8 in) |
| Height | 1,245 mm (49.0 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,530 kg (3,370 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Audi Rosemeyer |
| Successor | Audi R8 (Type 42) |
Audi's subsidiary quattro GmbH subsequently decided to produce the Audi Le Mans quattro as a production road car, calling it the R8, naming it after their very successful R8 LMP race car, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times.
Design and technical
The Audi Le Mans Quattro has a number of high-tech features, including the headlights which are composed entirely of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The structural framework of the body, the Audi Space Frame (ASF) shared with the Lamborghini Gallardo, is made entirely of aluminium, while the outer skin is made out of carbon fibre and aluminium. The car also features an electronically controlled rear spoiler which raises at 70 mph (110 km/h).
The Le Mans quattro featured the magnetic ride magneto rheological dampers, also installed in the latest TT, which gives the car a firmer and more responsive drive and improved handling characteristics. In Audi tradition, the car features quattro permanent four-wheel drive to optimise traction and handling.
The Le Mans quattro's engine was a development of the Gallardo's, with the same displacement but utilising different cylinder heads as well as twin-turbochargers and Fuel Stratified Injection (FSI) technology, resulting in the high output of 449 kW (610 PS; 602 hp), and 750 N⋅m (553 lb⋅ft) of torque. The transmission is the six-speed sequential manual transmission also shared with the Gallardo.
The car showcased various Audi styling cues and technological details, planned to be used in future production Audi models.
Specifications and performance
- Power: 449 kW (610 PS; 602 hp)
- Torque: 750 N⋅m (553 lb⋅ft)
- Engine: 5.0 L DOHC twin-turbocharged TFSI V10
- 0–100 km/h: 3.7 seconds
- Top Speed: 345 km/h (214 mph)
Other media
The LeMans quattro is featured prominently in 2006 arcade racing video game Need For Speed: Carbon as the game's antagonist, Darius' car.
References
- "Audi 2003 Product Strategy - indicating Le Mans quattro detail (p.13)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2007-12-27. (1.50 MB) -
- "2003 Audi Le Mans quattro Concept". car-reviews.automobile.com. Archived from the original on 2012-03-30. Retrieved 2008-06-03.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Audi Le Mans quattro. |
- Audi corporate website
- "Audi 2003 Product Strategy - indicating Le Mans quattro detail (p.13)" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-05-17. Retrieved 2007-12-27. (1.50 MB) -
- Picture gallery at worldcarfans
